Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Northern Ireland

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Northern Ireland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Great Room Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (897)

£41 and over

Modern European

Belfast

About the restaurant

The Great Room Restaurant is undoubtedly one of Northern Ireland’s most extraordinary restaurants. Thanks to the remarkable original Victorian interior with its glass cupola, Ireland’s largest chandelier an array of plasterwork detailing, the space is second to none. Needless to say our chefs search tirelessly to bring the finest seasonal ingredients together in eloquent dishes in thoughtfully prepared menus, just one of the reasons The Great Room Restaurant was awarded 2 AA Rosettes. All this is complemented by expert service and a wine list to which all the superlatives apply!
Mid- week lunch is served Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.15

To book our iconic Afternoon Tea, please search for Afternoon Tea at The Merchant Hotel.

Top review

Leonie

Dined 2 days ago

The Merchant is invariably wonderful. It’s always a special treat to go, they never let their high standard drop. We love to come here. Hurrah for the Merchant, it is a treasure .

Saga Kitchen & Cellar

4.8

4.8 (55)

£26 to £40

Modern European

Belfast

About the restaurant

Welcome to Saga.

Defined as a long story of heroic achievement, Saga embodies the continuation of our culinary journey from the success of Blank restaurant. With the same dedicated team, values, and passion driving us forward, Saga is more than just a dining experience – it's a celebration of good food and wine for good people without pretence.

We are always be open for walk-ins, but if you know you're planning on coming it's always best to book.

Prefer to speak with us directly? Our reservations team will be delighted to assist you. Simply call us at 028 9040 6399 Thursday-Friday from 4-9pm, Saturday from 12-9pm and Sunday 1-8pm.

Indulge in the Saga experience – where every meal is a chapter in your own culinary journey.

Top review

laura

Dined 7 days ago

The food was beautiful and everything was cooked to perfection. The restaurant was lovely and relaxing and the staff were very friendly and helpful. We will be back to try more of the menu but I will find it hard not to choose the carpaccio Wagu or Venison again! My only complaint was I needed a bucketful more of the artichoke purée!

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Experience

Meat up Thursday £80 for 2

Afternoon Tea at The Titanic Hotel Belfast

4.7

4.7 (305)

£26 to £40

Afternoon Tea

Belfast

About the restaurant

Immerse yourself in the Golden Age of Hospitality and indulge in a sumptuous Afternoon Tea at Titanic Hotel Belfast. Served in elegant surroundings, our Afternoon Tea is prepared by the same expert team and from the same kitchen as The Wolff Grill.

Let us serve you dainty and soft sandwiches filled with delicious delicacies, freshly baked steaming scones and sweet flaky pastries, all on our best china, and of course tea in a much-loved pot. Experience the epitome of sophistication with our Afternoon Tea at Titanic Hotel Belfast.

Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free menu available on request.

Top review

Deborah

Dined 1 day ago

Slightly disappointing experience for afternoon tea at the Titanic today. The sandwiches were very underwhelming for a festive afternoon tea. One small ham sandwich and egg sandwich- maybe a turkey, ham and cranberry and stuffing sandwich for Christmas would have been nice. The soup was delicious- could have had a double portion. The scones were lovely too. The service was good by Matthew and unlimited teas/coffee was welcome. I just think overall more savoury items and fancier sandwiches are required in this afternoon tea and would have made it even better.

Tetto

4.6

4.6 (323)

£26 to £40

Italian

Belfast

About the restaurant

Tetto is a bright, modern, design-led rooftop restaurant, bar and garden located on the top floor of Bullitt Hotel. Showcasing fresh local seafood with an Italian accent alongside Neapolitan style pizza and imaginative aperitivo inspired cocktails. Enjoy carefully curated playlists and residents DJs every Friday and Saturday night.

Tetto is located on the fourth floor of Bullitt hotel and can be accessed through the main hotel lobby or via Ann Street.

Top review

Sean

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Amazing flatbreads, pizza and cocktails, overall vibe of the restaurant was really nice too. Can’t wait to go back

Fontana

4.6

4.6 (475)

£26 to £40

Contemporary European

Holywood

About the restaurant

Simple Food, Cooked Well, Enjoyed By All.
Fontana is a favorite in the neighborhood. Always serving the best of fresh local ingredients in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, Fontana is that perfect place for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch.

Top review

Claire

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely delicious meal, excellent service and so accommodating when we were in a hurry to get to a concert as well. 10/10!

FireStone Teppanyaki

4.6

4.6 (242)

£26 to £40

Japanese

Belfast

About the restaurant

Everything about FireStone defies the ordinary, from our displays of roaring fire teppanyaki performance exhibited by our master chefs to mouth watering freshly prepared sushi using the finest local produce and ingredients and so much more. We are open for Lunch and dinner throughout the week with a special lunch menu available.

FireStone offers a delicious menu in a unique atmosphere for guests. Sit back and relax with a cocktail or two and enjoy the service.

Teppanyaki is a shared experience & our tables are made to share with other diners! At the end of the night you may have found some new friends! Our Teppanyaki experience is 90mins per booking & would appreciate customers being on time for their booked slot. All food at the Teppanyaki table is cooked one by one & may not be served at the same time for each member of your party. For all Teppanyaki bookings, please call the restaurant directly to confirm availability as spaces are limited.

Top review

Steven

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Well received and shown to table; food promptly arrived and was excellent.

Jospers at Ten Square

4.5

4.5 (1237)

£25 and under

Steak

Belfast

About the restaurant

The clue is in the name....and for the juiciest, most flavorsome steaks around, no matter how you take it, it's hard to beat a Josper-cooked steak! The secret is our Josper grill, a very particular style of Spanish charcoal oven, which is regarded by chefs worldwide as the finest method of cooking super tender steaks, while locking in all those wonderful flavors. So whether it's Sirloin or Rib Eye you prefer, the unique smoky, barbecue-style taste of our locally sourced, prime aged steaks is, we believe, out of this world! If, however, steaks are not your thing, then fear not, as we also offer a wide-ranging & amp; varied menu and quick & easy Light Lunch menu.

Top review

fionnuala

Dined 3 days ago

Good food selection all tasted good, excellent service

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4.5

4.5 (31)

£25 and under

Bistro

Portadown

About the restaurant

Discover the charm of Maisie’s Bar and Restaurant, a haven of warmth and comfort that promises a delightful dining experience. Nestled in Mandeville Street, Portadown, our menu shows our commitment to local produce.

We presents an array of choices to excite your taste buds, from savoury tapas to scrumptious homemade desserts, each dish carefully presented to highlight the finest flavours and ingredients for an unforgettable meal.

Maisie’s stands out not only for its food but also for its bar, a sanctuary for drink aficionados with a vast selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The cocktail list shines with creative mixes sure to delight even the most particular patrons, while wine enthusiasts will rejoice in the handpicked wine selection that pairs flawlessly with the menu, enhancing the dining affair.

Ideal for a romantic evening, a celebratory event, or a cosy meal, Maisie’s Bar and Restaurant stands as the quintessential venue for all of the family.

Top review

Craig

Dined 2 days ago

We had our family annual Christmas lunch here this year.... The food was ok, 3 out 4 of us said that the food was oily and 1 out 4 of us complained about the Thai Curry... I myself like the chicken burger, loved the coating on it... The service was great, nice and friendly, the place itself was nicely decorated.

Afternoon Tea at The Merchant Hotel

4.4

4.4 (396)

£41 and over

Afternoon Tea

Belfast

About the restaurant

Enjoy our traditional afternoon tea in the elegance of The Great Room whilst being entertained by live music. Our three tiered silverstand boasts finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and a delicious selection of cakes, pastries and sweet treats. This will be accompanied by your choice of tea or coffee.

Please note, we require 24 hours' notice for our vegetarian, vegan, gluten or nut allergen Afternoon Tea or any other special dietary requirements. Please make a note when booking online or inform us directly and we will be happy to accommodate you.

Top review

Pamela

Dined 4 days ago

Lovely relaxing afternoon very friendly staff who efficiently served our afternoon tea - just one thought- we had cocktails rather than champagne and it would have been preferable to have those served before our tea and coffee.

Wolff Grill at Titanic Hotel Belfast

4.2

4.2 (550)

£26 to £40

Irish

Belfast

About the restaurant

Winner of 'Hotel Restaurant of the Year' for Ulster and All Ireland at the Irish Hotel Awards 2024.

The Wolff Grill, every visit promises a refined yet casual dining experience in an intimate and relaxed bistro setting. Indulge in luxury dining with our carefully crafted menu, perfect for romantic dinners, family-friendly lunches, or business gatherings.

Savour the finest cuts of meat during our steak night or explore our diverse offerings, including gluten-free options and vegan delights. Whether you're joining us for a pre-theatre bite or a leisurely weeknight dinner, you can elevate every dining experience with us.

Immerse yourself in romance at one of Belfast's most enchanting dining destinations, where waterfront views and our Titanic connection create an ambience like no other. Our locally sourced ingredients pay homage to Northern Ireland's flavours.

Top review

Walter

Dined 2 days ago

Main course was tasty but a little cool Guy in the till wasn’t aware of our package and it was a bit awkward

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