Shortlist: Eight Restaurants On Lisburn Road That Locals Love!

Wandering our World is reader supported! If you purchase anything through a link on our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Last updated on October 13, 2022 by Wandering our World

One of Belfast’s most popular areas, Lisburn Road is always buzzing with the activity of people, shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. But as incredible as this area of the city is, it can be a little overwhelming to people who are visiting for the first time, so that’s where we come in…..

We’ve pulled together what we think are eight of the best restaurants on Lisburn Road. Expect incredible food, live music, and dishes to remember. Let’s get started!

Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

The Eight Best Restaurants On Lisburn Road: Food Worth Waiting For!

1. Shu Restaurant 

A Michelin starred restaurant specialising in French, Oriental and Mediterranean cuisine, and sometimes live music. 

Named after the Ancient Egyptian God of Atmosphere, Shu is a multi-award winning restaurant and one that cannot be missed! It’s spread out across three spaces: The Main Room, Jul’s Cocktail Bar, and The Upper House. All are uniquely directed and can make for the perfect setting for whatever might bring you to Shu. 

The Main Room is the perfect backdrop for a romantic date night with soft lighting and chic green accents. That Main Room has three different menus, the Dinner, Lunch and Sunday menu and although the menu focuses mainly on meat and fish, there are also vegan and vegetarian options available.

If you’re looking for a more laid back vibe, then give Jul’s a visit. Sitting in the basement, Jul’s is all exposed brick and deep blue accents with the same menu as The Main Room – plus a cocktail menu. One favourite is the dry Stormy Dancer cocktail which consists of Vodka, apple, fennel, Tarragon and Lemon.

And if you’re looking for somewhere to host a private event, then The Upper House is the perfect place for yo. Made up of two rooms that can be used separately or together, The Upper House can be tailored to perfectly fit with what you have in mind for your event. All in all, this is easily one of the best restaurants on Lisburn Road.

Opening times vary depending on the dining space, so check out their website for more details.

Address: 253 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7EN

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Kuzmin

2. Ryan’s Bar

A chic yet casual bar offering great food, great drinks and a warm and welcoming atmosphere! 

Loved by both locals, students, and tourists alike, Ryan’s Bar is the perfect place to unwind after a long day where you can enjoy a well needed catch up with friends! With dark wood panelling and leather seats in the bar and a brighter restaurant upstairs, Ryan’s is sure to be able to offer whatever it is you’re in the mood for, whether that be a few quick drinks, light bites or a full meal.

Anyone who’s ever visited Ryan’s Bar before will tell you the same thing: you cannot pay them a visit without sampling their famous chicken wings. Served with celery, blue cheese dip, a secret spicy sauce, BBQ sauce or sriracha and honey sauce, they’ll probably be some of the best wings that you’ll ever try.

Ryan’s Bar also offers a gluten free and vegan menu so no matter what your food needs are, they’ll be able to cater to you! As well as having an extensive food menu, Ryan’s Bar also boasts a great drinks menu! Serving everything from cocktails, to wine, to gin, to whiskey and, of course, Guinness! 

And great food and drinks isn’t all that Ryan’s Bar has to offer. They regularly host quiz nights so make sure to check their website and social media pages so you don’t miss out on any of the fun.

And if quiz nights aren’t your thing – every Saturday they have live music, so make sure to drop by at 10pm to enjoy some great music. Ryan’s Bar is definitely one of the most fun restaurants on Lisburn Road.

Ryan’s Bar is open Monday – Thursday from 11.30am – 11pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11.30am – 1am and Sunday from 12.30pm – 11pm.

Address: 116-118 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 6AH

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/DronG

3. Bengal Brasserie

An Indian restaurant that combines a contemporary menu with traditional Indian cuisine. 

If you’re looking to indulge in some delicious Indian food, look no further than Bengal Brasserie. The biggest Indian restaurant in Ireland, Bengal Brasserie is the perfect setting for parties, graduation ceremonies or just a meal with your loved ones in a beautifully designed restaurant with a great atmosphere and even better food. 

Bengal Brasserie’s menu is diverse and vibrant with a dish for everyone. One very popular dish is the Hyderabadi Shanks which is lamb shanks spiced and seasoned with aromatic spices! But if you’re a fan of seafood, many love the King Prawn Palok which is prawns simmered in spinach with mixed herbs and spices.

And if you’re a vegetarian then don’t worry – Bengal Brasserie also has an extensive vegetarian menu so you don’t have to be left out. A favourite veggie dish is the Muttar Paneer which is homemade Indian cheese cooked with green peas and Bengali spices. And if you ever find yourself wanting to eat some incredible food in the comfort of your own home, then the restaurant also allows for take away. 

Bengal Brasserie is open Monday to Saturday, with lunch being served from 12pm – 1.45 pm, and dinner being served from 5pm – 11pm. It is also open on Sunday’s from 4.30pm – 10.30pm. 

Address: 322 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 6GH

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/LunaMarina

4. Ginza Kitchen

A sleek and modern restaurant specialising in authentic Japanese cuisine. 

Named after one of the famous upmarket dining and entertainment districts in Japan, Ginza Kitchen aims to provide the people of Belfast with the high-end dining experience that they would receive if they were to visit Ginza in Japan. 

With a substantial menu, Ginza Kitchen has something to offer for everyone. If you’re looking for something light and quick, why not try ‘Japas’? We recommend ordering between 2-5 dishes so you can enjoy a variety of different tastes! Favourite dishes include the Chicken Yakitori, the Nikko Chilli Squid, the Roasted Duck Roll and the Tori Salad.

The menu also has a number of different vegetarian dishes so everyone can enjoy the incredible food that Gina has to offer.

But of course, no visit to Ginza Kitchen could be complete without sampling some of their delicious sushi. We recommend ordering the Matsu Moriawase which consists of 10 pieces of nigiri sushi, 2 pieces of tempura king prawn and 4 pieces of lage sushi rolls. It’s the perfect dish for both Sushi novices and experts alike. If you’re a sushi lover this will easily be one of the best restaurants on Lisburn Road for you.

And if you’re planning a private party and you’re not sure where to host it, why not host it at Ginza? For £35 per person, you get a glass of house prosecco, a classic cocktail, a two course meal – and an incredible night! 

Ginza Kitchen is open 5pm – 11pm between Monday and Friday, and 12pm – 11pm on the weekend. 

Address: 245 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Belfast, BT97EN

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/AtlasStudio

5. Little Wing Pizzeria

A casual, family friendly Italian restaurant offering pizza, salads and more made with fresh local produce! 

This wood panelled restaurant is an absolute must visit for lovers of Italian food – and let’s face it, who isn’t a fan of Italian food?

Made in a traditional Wood Stone oven, Little Wing’s pizzas are mouth wateringly delicious. A popular choice of pizza here is the Giardino which is topped with red peppers, red onions, artichokes, black olives, Parmigiano and garlic oil.

The pizza’s are usually 11 inches, but if you want to share – or just have a big appetite! – then you can upgrade your pizza to a whopping 24 inches!

Little Wing also offers a substantial Vegan menu. One favourite Vegan pizza is the Pugliese which is a tomato and chilli base with caramelised onions and oregano, finished with rocket.

And if you’re looking for some family friendly fun, Little Wing has you covered there too. At one of their ‘Little Winger Workshops’, your kids can enjoy an afternoon making yummy pizzas and learning about the origins of the food! The workshop costs £9.95 per child and can be booked by contacting the restaurant.

Little Wing is open every day of the week between 11am and 10pm. 

Address: 10 Lisburn Square, Lisburn, BT28 1TS

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/JulyProkopiv

6. YoBurger

A restaurant offering burgers, hot dogs and shakes in a modern and stylish space. 

If you’re looking to enjoy something a bit heartier, then look no further than YoBurger. This restaurant’s stripped back vibe brings a really chilled out and casual vibe to Lisburn Road, making it the perfect place to meet up with friends before exploring the rest of Belfast.

Of course, the burgers that YoBurger are incredible too. We recommend trying the Double Bacon Cheeseburger, topped with fried onions and lettuce. But if those toppings don’t catch your eye, don’t worry – you can choose from a range of different toppings to build your perfect burger.

And if you don’t eat meat or are in the mood for something different, then YoBurger also offers vegan alternatives. If you find that you’re not in the mood for burgers – vegan or otherwise – YoBurger also serves hot dogs. A popular choice is the Yo Chilli Cheese Dawg, but you also cannot go wrong with the Yo Dawg

And if you have room for something sweet after your meal, treat yourself to one of YoBurger’s milkshakes – the Salted Caramel Shake, and the Biscoff Shake, are two well worth trying.

YoBurger is open every single day from 12pm – 10.30pm, so pop down whenever you’re in the mood for some great burgers at one of the best restaurants on Lisburn Road! 

Address: 348 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 6GH

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/karandaev

7. Boojum

A casual restaurant that specialises in traditional Mexican food. 

If you’re looking for a taste of Mexico on Lisburn Road, then Boojum is the restaurant for you! Set in a casual yet vibrant restaurant, Boojum offers an extensive and customisable menu that consists of everything from fajitas to tacos to burritos, you’re sure to find something to suit everyone.

Our go-to dish would be the fajitas with Mexican savoury rice, pollo, salsa verde and sour cream, but we’re also partial to chilli nachos with cheese, tomato salsa and jalapenos, so why not go for that.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, Boojum also has you covered. Their crispy, golden Churros are mouthwateringly delicious and are perfect when dipped into the creamy Dulce de Leche! And if all that isn’t enough, all ingredients are fresh and the Churros are made fresh to order so rest assured, you won’t be eating anything from frozen! 

And if you’re looking to create that perfect Mexican night when you’re back home, Boojum has got your back there too. As you can order a Boojum Fajita Meal Kit and enjoy a fantastic meal from the comfort of your own home.

Boojum is open every day from 11.30am until 10pm! 

Address: 509-511 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7EZ 

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Elihu Castillo Ramirez

8. The Chelsea Bar

A modern gastropub serving brunch and dinner in the heart of Lisburn Road. 

If impressing that special someone is on the list of things to do when visiting Lisburn Road, The Chelsea Bar is one place you should think about visiting. With its sophisticated and elegant decor, The Chelsea is the perfect spot for date night.

The Chelsea’s menu has everything from curries to burgers, to fish and steak, so there’s sure to be something for everyone on the menu. One especially popular dish is the succulent Pan Roasted Duck Breast, served with butternut squash whipped goat’s cheese, confit potatoes and black cherries.

On top of an incredible food menu, The Chelsea also has an extensive drinks menu. So whether you’re in the mood for wine, beer, gin, whiskey or cocktails – and mocktails – they will be able to cater to your tastes. Every Sunday, The Chelsea also offers a delicious 3 course Sunday Roast, served with a glass of prosecco. 

Amazing food and drink isn’t all that The Chelsea has to offer – on Friday’s they host the Swing Supper Club, where you can enjoy a delicious 2 course meal followed by live music! 

The Chelsea Bar is closed on Monday but otherwise open 12pm-11pm Sunday to Tuesday, 12pm – 12am on Wednesday and Thursday, and 12pm – 1am on Friday and Saturday. 

Address: 346 Lisburn Road, BT9 6GH, Belfast

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/CBCK-Christine

The Best Restaurants On Lisburn Road: Final Thoughts

And there you have it! Some of the best restaurants on Lisburn Road, now all that’s left to do is start exploring and dig into some incredible meals! 

Author

  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.