Where To Find the Best Breakfast in Belfast in 2024
Whether you are looking for a hearty meal before a long day of sightseeing or a casual restaurant for a boozy bottomless brunch, there is a breakfast in Belfast for you. The second largest city in Ireland boasts an eclectic food scene with many different options for your morning meal.
Known for the traditional Irish breakfast and the Irish Fry, breakfast in Belfast has a long and colourful history. Explore this exciting list of Belfast restaurants and make culinary memories of your own.
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Find the Best Breakfast in Belfast
If you can’t decide on just one Belfast breakfast spot, try a food tour in Belfast. This exciting experience will take you on a comprehensive journey to all the best restaurants in the area. Visit breweries, open-air farmers markets, bakeries and so much more. Eat like a local with a once-in-a-lifetime food tour experience.
17 Best Breakfast Places in Belfast
1. The Lamppost Café
Step through the wardrobe in this delightful cafe inspired by Belfast native, C.S. Lewis. This Belfast breakfast spot offers classic Irish breakfast plates, trendy lunch items and an afternoon tea experience. The Lampost Café is also dog friendly and boasts a full menu of pup-approved treats.
The Vibe
The Lamppost Café is cozy, cute and casual. Bring your puppy and enjoy a laidback brunch with whimsical décor and classic Irish home cooking.
What to Order
Try the Northern Irish classic, filled soda bread or book an afternoon tea time for a pleasant brunch experience.
Lamppost Café | 19 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3HT | £
2. The Parisien
Indulge in a classic Parisian breakfast in Belfast at The Parisien. This modern French bistro offers brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Renowned for its authentic take on traditional French dishes, The Parisien is a Belfast breakfast experience you don’t want to miss.
The Vibe
A cutesy French restaurant offering authentic Parisian cuisine.
What to Order
Indulge in classic French breakfast plates such as the Croque Madame or Eggs Florentine.
The Parisien | Cleaver House Donegall Sq., Belfast, BT1 5BB | ££
3. Grand Cafe
Have a luxurious breakfast in Belfast at the Grand Café located on the ground floor of the Grand Central Hotel. Breakfast is served every day with a special brunch selection available on Sundays. Indulge in quality breakfast dishes while basking in the downtown glitz and glam of the hotel.
The Vibe
The Grand Café is an upscale, classy and effortlessly cool Belfast breakfast option.
What to Order
Go plant-based with the Grand Café Vegan Breakfast or tuck into a hearty bowl of Whites Porridge Oats with fresh fruit and honey.
Grand Café | Grand Central Hotel, 9-15 Bedford St., Belfast, BT2 7FF | ££
4. Great Room Restaurant
Have an opulent brunch of a lifetime at the Great Room Restaurant. Lauded as one of the best restaurants for a Belfast breakfast, the Great Room Restaurant offers an illustrious breakfast menu featuring a full continental option. Don’t miss out on the build-your-own omelette station and daily specials.
The Vibe
The Great Room Restaurant is upscale and refined but not stuffy.
What to Order
The Great Room Breakfast is an all-inclusive breakfast buffet with an array of gourmet options, so take your pick!
Great Room Restaurant | The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper St., Belfast, BT1 2DZ | £££
5. The National
Have breakfast like a true Belfast native with a laid-back brunch at The National. This no-frills local joint offers breakfast and brunch seven days a week. Indulge in boozy brunch with a full-service bar and stay as long as you like because this spot is open late.
The Vibe
The National is a lively local hotspot serving breakfast, brunch and dinner with live music and a welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy a mimosa in the expansive beer garden or party the night away at the nightclub above the café.
What to Order
Try the Irish Waffles with Nutella, bananas and poitín cream, or have a savoury breakfast sandwich with the loaded croissant.
The National | 62-68 High St., Belfast, BT1 2BE | £
6. St. George’s Market
Take a trip to the oldest market in Belfast, St. George’s Market. Founded in 1604, this open-air market is a neighbourhood gem that offers many artisanal Belfast breakfast items made by local vendors. Indulge in a homemade croissant or freshly brewed coffee while perusing fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood.
The Vibe
An airy outdoor market perfect for a weekend Belfast breakfast adventure.
What to Order
With local, continental and specialty foods all in abundance, we recommend taking a wander around the market and seeing what takes your fancy!
St. George’s Market | 12-20 E. Bridge St., Belfast, BT1 3NQ | £
7. Panama
This one-of-a-kind Belfast breakfast spot offers a lush outdoor patio and a menu stuffed with zesty South American cuisine. Dog friendly, Panama City Garden and Café is a great place to sip a craft cocktail with Fido in tow.
The Vibe
Latin American fusion meets chic city living.
What to Order
For a taste of South America in your Belfast breakfast, try the classic huevos con chorizo, a fried egg topped with fresh pico de gallo and spicy chorizo. Another fan favourite is the Torrejas, which is Latin American-style french toast crusted in cinnamon sugar and topped with fresh berries and maple syrup.
Panama | 3 McClintock St., Belfast, BT2 7GL | £
8. The Pocket
Located in the heart of the city right across from Queen’s University, The Pocket is one of the most popular Belfast breakfast restaurants. The creative menu and artisanal coffees draw a wide array of customers from all over. There is even outdoor seating available for brunch-goers looking to soak up the sun.
The Vibe
The Pocket is an edgy and cool university-town coffee shop.
What to Order
Tuck into a fragrant Lavender French Toast topped with macerated cherries, hazelnut biscuit and meringue kisses. Alternatively, try the hearty Deadly Cheddly breakfast sandwich stuffed with bacon, fried eggs, red chilli and cheddar jam.
The Pocket | 68 Upper Church Lane, Belfast, BT1 4QL | £
9. Revoluciòn De Cuba
This Cuban tapas bar offers a killer brunch menu complete with breakfast burritos and plenty of tropical rum-based cocktails. Reveluciòn De Cuba is a lively and laid-back place to enjoy bottomless Cuban brunch.
The Vibe
Latin American flare meets bottomless brunch at Revoluciòn De Cuba.
What to Order
Branch out with creative breakfast quesadillas filled with bacon, eggs, and pico de gallo, served with patatas bravas on the side. If you are craving a sweet treat for breakfast in Belfast, try the Churros Tower — a stack of pancakes dusted with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with sticky rum caramel.
Reveluciòn De Cuba | Multiple Locations | £
10. Benedicts
A locally owned boutique hotel and restaurant, the quaint charm of Benedicts sets it apart from big hospitality chains. The bottomless brunch features a bunch of different cocktails to choose from for a great breakfast in Belfast.
The Vibe
The welcoming upscale atmosphere and local charm make Benedicts a delightful choice to enjoy weekend brunch.
What to Order
Choose from a variety of different fries or try the Benedicts bagel.
Benedicts | 7-21 Bradbury Place, Shaftesbury Sq., Belfast, BT7 1RQ | ££
11. Margot
A stylish cosmopolitan bar, Margot serves weekend brunch with bottomless cocktails. The bottomless deal includes one breakfast plate and endless drinks hand-crafted at the bar.
The Vibe
The plush interior of this basement bar makes for an unforgettable brunch experience.
What to Order
Go sweet and savoury with Southern Fried Chicken and Belgian waffles or try the rich and creamy Duck Hash with Asian sauce.
Margot | 18 Donegall Sq., E. Lower Ground, Belfast, BT1 5HD | ££
12. Granny Annies
With live music, bottomless brunch and friendly staff you are sure to have a rip-roaring great time at Granny Annies. Experience breakfast in Belfast like a local in this charming casual bar and restaurant.
The Vibe
A local gastropub with great food and an engaging atmosphere.
What to Order
Make your weekend spicy with Granny's Famous Wings or try one of the cheekily named cocktails such as the Fiddle Me Silly tropical drink.
Granny Annies | Multiple Locations | £
13. Established Coffee
Upgrade your morning coffee stop with a trip to Established Coffee. This locally owned joint boasts artisan coffee brewed from imported beans found around the globe, alongside masterfully prepared pastries and dishes that are perfect for your breakfast in Belfast.
The Vibe
This café is great for a quick grab-and-go breakfast or a spot to relax with a piping hot cup of joe.
What to Order
Indulge in a freshly baked milk bun with a range of flavours including bacon, sausage, blood pudding and salmon.
Established Coffee | 54 Hill St., Belfast, BT1 2LB | £
14. General Merchants
The brunch menu at General Merchants is renowned across the city and for good reason. It features an eclectic mix of classic Irish dishes and global favourites.
The Vibe
Located in an old general store, General Merchants is a rustic and charming spot for breakfast in Belfast.
What to Order
Go all out with the Street Hawker, Chinese-style chilli oil eggs or keep it simple with the Avo Brekkie, featuring a smashed avocado smeared on fresh sourdough bread.
General Merchants | Multiple Locations | £
15. The Harlem Cafe
Be immersed in vintage Irish dining at The Harlem Cafe. The eclectic décor and traditional menu make this adorable brunch spot a must-stop for breakfast in Belfast.
The Vibe
The Harlem Cafe is a charming and cosy café perfect for catching up with friends over a delicious brunch.
What to Order
Keep it classic and try the Harlems Amazing All Day Irish Breakfast plate or the Traditional Steak and Guinness pie.
The Harlem Cafe | 34 Bedford St., Belfast, BT2 7FF | £
16. Mad Hatter Coffee Shop
This family-owned cafe is a hidden gem for breakfast in Belfast. Famous for its many different fries, Mad Hatter Café is a Belfast breakfast experience you don’t want to miss.
The Vibe
Visit this friendly neighbourhood café for a true taste of Ireland.
What to Order
Try one of the many different breakfast plates or indulge in homemade desserts such as banoffee pie.
Mad Hatter Coffee Shop | 2 Eglantine Ave., Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 6DW | £
17. Town Square
Gather together and enjoy a mind-blowing brunch at Town Square. This local gastropub unites great food, craft cocktails and a friendly atmosphere for one amazing breakfast in Belfast.
The Vibe
Laid-back and charming, Town Square is the perfect spot to kick back with friends and enjoy a few drinks and gourmet breakfast sandwiches.
What to Order
Try the pork butt Brekkie Taco or order the s’mores making station and make your own gooey treat right at your table.
Town Square | 45 Botanic Ave., Belfast, BT7 1HZ | £
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
Belfast is a breakfast goldmine for anyone searching for a hearty satisfying morning meal. From locally owned coffee shops to glitzy hotel restaurants, there is a breakfast venue for everyone in Belfast. All appetites are catered for, too, meaning that whether you're in the mood for something hearty, something light, something sweet, or simply something caffeinated, you'll easily find what you need in Belfast to start your day right.
For even more ways to explore Belfast and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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