
Belfast is home to legendary landmarks including the Grand Opera House, the leaning Albert Memorial, and plenty of great restaurants – and a fair few of them offer some pretty fantastic brunches. And when the sun’s shining on a weekend, there’s no better place to be we’d say. Here’s our rundown of ten of the best places to enjoy a sunny brunch in Belfast:
1. The Pocket
The variety for vegetarians, vegans and lactose-intolerant people at The Pocket is pretty damn outstanding. Their chorizo brunch, green eggs on toast and array of delectable cakes are enough to draw in the crowds, but the ‘deadly cheddly’ is the real star of the show. It’s a heavenly mix of double bacon, fried egg, melted red cheddar and chilli jam all packed together in a yummy toasted brioche bun.
Counted among the best brunch in Belfast, The Pocket is open daily from 9am-3pm, and they whip up some excellent coffee and tea too.
You’ll find The Pocket in the Flat Iron building behind the Bittles Bar at 68 Upper Church Lane, BT1 4QL.
2. The Lamppost Café
Built around the theme of the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lamppost Café offers one of the best brunches in Belfast at some of the most reasonable prices you’ll find anywhere in town. Their chicken pesto open sandwich, vegan bean stew, and avocado on toast are all crowd-pleasers
References to the CS Lewis series are all over the place, giving it a vintage charm. Even better is that this cute little spot is dog-friendly and they even serve a ‘Puppy Plates’ menu too. They’re open every day from 9-4 pm.
You’ll find The Lamppost Café at 19 Upper Newtownards Road, BT4 3HD.
3. Freight
Ever been to this spectacular place that was awarded TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Award in 2021? If not, get ready to get loaded (pun intended!). Freight offers you a relaxed ambience, built-in freight containers and a fantastic brunch menu to boot too – as well as an array of delicious vegan options.
Their French toast with crispy bacon is an absolute must-try, and you also can’t really go wrong with their Vietnamese scrambled eggs and roast salmon pad thai hash either. It’s open all week from 10am till evening and till 9:30pm from Thursday to Sunday.
You’ll find Freight at two locations in Belfast. You can find out more here.
4. Grapevine
Artisanal bread, mouth-watering quesadilla and rustic ‘Hispanic’ dishes. If this menu doesn’t make you queue up at Grapevine’s, maybe their outstanding reviews will. A hit with locals and tourists alike, Grapevine offers outstanding brunch options and utter ‘food with soul’.
Grab a seat there before noon, and their seafood gumbo and chilli will have made your day. On top of this, they’ve got some fantastic quesadillas and healthy porridges here too. They’re open from 9am-4pm Mondays through to Fridays and from 10am-3.30pm on Saturdays.
You’ll find Grapevine at 5 Pottinger’s Entry, BT1 4DT.
5. Alan’s Causeway Café
If you live in Belfast and haven’t tried Alan’s Causeway Café’s mammoth ‘Golliath Fry’ yet – it’s in the name after all – then you’ve really missed out. A heavenly concoction of potato and soda farl, bacon, sausages, beans, black pudding and a fried egg – it’s certainly one way to get you prepped for the day ahead.
So, head there any day between 8am-2 pm, even if it is a public or a bank holiday. And, take your dog along! They’ve also got a separate menu for vegetarians and vegans here, and everything here is more than wallet-friendly.
You’ll find Causeway Café at 22 Donegall Road, BT12 5JN, barely a half-minute stroll from Shaftsbury Square.
6. Maggie May’s
There is little chance that you wouldn’t have been to Maggie May’s yet if you’ve been to Belfast. But if you haven’t paid them a visit yet, then now’s the time to go as they offer one of the best brunches in Belfast. This cute, family-run chain offers an extensive brunch menu, as well as milkshakes, sweetmeats, and artisan coffee.
Their Irish breakfast and mocha are too good to be skipped, and they’ve got three branches in Belfast that open from 8.30am until 10.30pm in the evening.
You’ll find Maggie May’s at three different locations in Belfast. You can find out more here.
7. Made in Belfast
The chic gastropub serves excellent steak, cheesecakes, pork belly and fantastic gluten-free options. But, of course, you cannot miss their poached cod, vegan tofu scallops and crab club too.
In terms of brunch classics at Made in Belfast, they’ve got everything here from eggs royale and veggie hash to eggs benedict and eggs florentine. Note that if you’re walking down from the city centre, you may want to take a taxi instead.
You will find Made in Belfast at 25 Talbot Street, BT1 2LD.
8. Harlem Café
Harlem Café welcomes diners with an eclectic, artistic décor and a delectable brunch and bistro menu. From avocado toast, salads, and cream teas to smoked salmon, they’ve got everything you need to get you set up for the day. Note that it can get pretty busy here, so try to book in advance if you can!
They’re open early morning every day till evening on weekdays and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
You’ll find Harlem Café at 34 Bedford Street, BT2 7FF.
9. House Belfast
Looking for a bottomless brunch at a great price? Look no further than this one then! Nestled right in the heart of the city centre, House Belfast is a boutique hotel offering a bloody excellent brunch in Belfast. Their French toast, prosecco and house burger are all a hit among the locals too.
They offer all their dishes in gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan versions too. Even better – they’re open from Wednesday until Sunday all the way to midnight.
You’ll find House Belfast at 59-63 Botanic Avenue, BT7 1JL.
10. General Merchants
Ever heard of this restaurant in the East Belfast that is always bustling with customers? General Merchants is famous for one of the best brunches in Belfast, and it more than lives up to expectations! They have multiple branches across the city that open from 8am in the morning until 5pm in the evening.
If you are already waiting in the queue at GM’s, don’t forget to try their ‘avo brekkie’, ‘huevos rotos’ or ‘general’ coupled with ‘white star coffee’. Their East Belfast café is the most famous of all. Their brunch is pocket-friendly and genuinely worth the wait!
You’ll find General Merchants at five different locations in Belfast. You can find out more here.
There is always time for brunch in Belfast. This weekend, head over to one of these 10 spots for the best and most hearty meal you can ask for!