
Restaurant review: This Belfast hotel now has food that will compete with the best in the city
The love affair between the Titanic and the rest of the world shows no signs of waning.
Burning fervently, that love has been bridled, saddled up and ridden for all its worth to create a lasting tourist attraction of such power and relentless magnetism as to cause people to invest millions in a visitor centre, hotel, flats, new jobs and even to bestow a new name on this part of Belfast. It's no longer Queen's Island. It's Titanic Quarter.
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Scottish Sun
a minute ago
- Scottish Sun
The quirky UK city named one of the top foodie destinations for 2025 with historic pub crawls and cheap hotels
It's got all the buzz of a city break without the crazy prices SINK A FEW The quirky UK city named one of the top foodie destinations for 2025 with historic pub crawls and cheap hotels Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONCE known more for its political turmoil than its happy-go-lucky bars and thriving food scene, Belfast is firmly back on the travel map. But the past is still prevalent in the Northern Ireland capital, including at the Titanic museum, which celebrates the history of one of the world's most famous ships, constructed in this very region. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The traditional Duke Of York pub in Belfast Credit: Alamy 3 The Titanic museum in Northern Ireland's capital Credit: Alamy Here's the lowdown on the city . . . WHY SHOULD I GO? IF Dublin's the posh, polished brother, Belfast's the cooler, quirkier sister, packed with funky cafes, craft breweries and hip hotels that have been popping up on every corner. These new trendy spots sit shoulder to shoulder with the city's history, from its Troubles-era murals on walls to cobbled streets and traditional pubs where folk music spills out of every doorway. It's got all the buzz of a city break without the crazy prices. ARE THESE STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? BEING both compact and flat, Belfast is a walker's dream. You can hit all the big spots in under 20 minutes from the centre. The famous murals on the Falls and Shankill roads are just a short stroll away. Tourists can also mix with locals at a traditional pub, soak up the buzz in the Cathedral Quarter or amble along the River Lagan. For longer distances, there's the public bike-sharing scheme, Belfast Bikes, which gives you 30 minutes of free use each day. Or hop on the Glider, Belfast's sleek purple tram, which zips across the city from east to west. It costs just £4 for unlimited daily travel. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? NO trip to Belfast is complete without a history lesson from a cabbie. Hop into a traditional black taxi with Belfast Black Cab Tours and get the real story behind the city's religious divide. It's eye-opening and packed with stories and pub recommendations you won't find in any guidebook. For those more thirsty for booze than history, there's Belfast's Oldest Pubs Tour. For £15, you can join the Belfast Pub Crawl, which takes in five taverns full of character. It kicks off at Kelly's Cellars, which has been pouring pints since 1720. Then it's on to White's Tavern for the creamiest Guinness in Belfast, before hitting up Henry's & The Jailhouse, a former prison. After a pit stop at McHugh's, with its creaky wooden floors, the night winds down with live music at The Thirsty Goat. WHERE SHOULD I EAT? BELFAST used to be all about the Ulster fry — bacon, eggs, black pudding, sausages and potato farls. Chuck the lot into a bap and you've got yourself an on-the-go version of the traditional meal. Belfast Baps in St George's Market is the place to grab one. Each is stuffed to bursting and only costs £8, a steal when they're the size of your face. If you're after something a little more formal, Belfast is also packed with top tier restaurants, being named one of the UK's best food cities for 2025 by Time Out. With a place in the Michelin Guide, Yugo is a popular industrial-style spot tucked down a quiet street. It's Asian-fusion menu focuses on small plates created with local ingredients. Be sure to try the crispy chilli pork dumplings and the chef's sushi, made with fish fresh from the nearby lough. 3 The Sun's Isabel Shaw at The Crown Saloon in Belfast Credit: Collect I FANCY A DRINK . . . PUBS in Belfast aren't just about the booze, they're the city's living rooms, where music, stories and lots of craic all come together. And with craft breweries, such as Bullhouse East, popping up all over town, there's loads of new spots to try alongside the classics. Despite this, The Sunflower Bar, a local friend told me, is a 'must-visit' for a proper pint with real character. To get in, you have to walk through an old caged door which was used for security purposes in the 1970s. Out back you'll find a big beer garden serving wood-fired pizza, perfect for soaking up those Guinness. For those craving a caffeine hit, Belfast's not short of cool, hip coffee spots. Established Coffee was one of the first to arrive, serving top-notch brews alongside some tasty snacks. Don't miss their lemon sherbet pie if it's on the menu. It tastes even better than it sounds, if that's actually possible. WHERE SHOULD I STAY? FOR a luxury yet affordable stay right in Belfast's heart, Room2 does hit the spot. This 4H 'hometel' on Queen Street is just a stone's throw from shops and bars and a 15-minute bus or taxi ride from Belfast City Airport. With a cute tea room, eclectic lounge area and an art gallery, it feels like a mix of stylish hotel and your mate's fancy city pad. Plus, guests get two free drinks on arrival. And a live singer in the lobby gets the good times started straight away.


The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
The quirky UK city named one of the top foodie destinations for 2025 with historic pub crawls and cheap hotels
ONCE known more for its political turmoil than its happy-go-lucky bars and thriving food scene, Belfast is firmly back on the travel map. But the past is still prevalent in the Northern Ireland capital, including at the Titanic museum, which celebrates the history of one of the world's most famous ships, constructed in this very region. 3 3 Here's the lowdown on the city . . . WHY SHOULD I GO? IF Dublin's the posh, polished brother, Belfast's the cooler, quirkier sister, packed with funky cafes, craft breweries and hip hotels that have been popping up on every corner. These new trendy spots sit shoulder to shoulder with the city's history, from its Troubles-era murals on walls to cobbled streets and traditional pubs where folk music spills out of every doorway. It's got all the buzz of a city break without the crazy prices. BEING both compact and flat, Belfast is a walker's dream. You can hit all the big spots in under 20 minutes from the centre. The famous murals on the Falls and Shankill roads are just a short stroll away. Tourists can also mix with locals at a traditional pub, soak up the buzz in the Cathedral Quarter or amble along the River Lagan. For longer distances, there's the public bike-sharing scheme, Belfast Bikes, which gives you 30 minutes of free use each day. Or hop on the Glider, Belfast's sleek purple tram, which zips across the city from east to west. It costs just £4 for unlimited daily travel. ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? NO trip to Belfast is complete without a history lesson from a cabbie. Hop into a traditional black taxi with Belfast Black Cab Tours and get the real story behind the city's religious divide. It's eye-opening and packed with stories and pub recommendations you won't find in any guidebook. For those more thirsty for booze than history, there's Belfast's Oldest Pubs Tour. For £15, you can join the Belfast Pub Crawl, which takes in five taverns full of character. It kicks off at Kelly's Cellars, which has been pouring pints since 1720. Then it's on to White's Tavern for the creamiest Guinness in Belfast, before hitting up Henry's & The Jailhouse, a former prison. After a pit stop at McHugh's, with its creaky wooden floors, the night winds down with live music at The Thirsty Goat. WHERE SHOULD I EAT? BELFAST used to be all about the Ulster fry — bacon, eggs, black pudding, sausages and potato farls. Chuck the lot into a bap and you've got yourself an on-the-go version of the traditional meal. Belfast Baps in St George's Market is the place to grab one. Each is stuffed to bursting and only costs £8, a steal when they're the size of your face. If you're after something a little more formal, Belfast is also packed with top tier restaurants, being named one of the UK's best food cities for 2025 by Time Out. With a place in the Michelin Guide, Yugo is a popular industrial-style spot tucked down a quiet street. It's Asian-fusion menu focuses on small plates created with local ingredients. Be sure to try the crispy chilli pork dumplings and the chef's sushi, made with fish fresh from the nearby lough. I FANCY A DRINK . . . PUBS in Belfast aren't just about the booze, they're the city's living rooms, where music, stories and lots of craic all come together. And with craft breweries, such as Bullhouse East, popping up all over town, there's loads of new spots to try alongside the classics. Despite this, The Sunflower Bar, a local friend told me, is a 'must-visit' for a proper pint with real character. To get in, you have to walk through an old caged door which was used for security purposes in the 1970s. Out back you'll find a big beer garden serving wood-fired pizza, perfect for soaking up those Guinness. For those craving a caffeine hit, Belfast's not short of cool, hip coffee spots. Established Coffee was one of the first to arrive, serving top-notch brews alongside some tasty snacks. Don't miss their lemon sherbet pie if it's on the menu. It tastes even better than it sounds, if that's actually possible. WHERE SHOULD I STAY? FOR a luxury yet affordable stay right in Belfast's heart, Room2 does hit the spot. This 4H 'hometel' on Queen Street is just a stone's throw from shops and bars and a 15-minute bus or taxi ride from Belfast City Airport. With a cute tea room, eclectic lounge area and an art gallery, it feels like a mix of stylish hotel and your mate's fancy city pad. Plus, guests get two free drinks on arrival. And a live singer in the lobby gets the good times started straight away.

Rhyl Journal
14 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
I tried The Titanic Breakfast at the Harbour Hub Café
I was walking along the promenade in Rhyl recently looking for somewhere for a spot of breakfast. On approaching the pedestrian swing bridge I spotted the Harbour Hub Cafe, perched on the dock with the sea beyond. The Harbour Hub Cafe - Mike Peters statue and swing bridge at Rhyl Harbour It's a place I had wanted to try so I crossed the bridge and went inside. The Harbour Hub Cafe The Harbour Hub Cafe, technically in Kinmel Bay I believe, is a welcoming place, with a timeless quality. It was easy to reminisce about childhood visits to the seaside. Most of the breakfast menu items all have a maritime theme, although the most popular mode of transport in evidence at the cafe was definitely the bicycle. Options include the Harbour Master's, Captain's and Fisherman's breakfast. The Captain's Breakfast is the vegetarian options, which, with a few tweaks on request, I'm sure could be made vegan. The Harbour Hub Cafe - outside seating I, however, had to embark on The Titanic Breakfast - two bacon, two sausages, two fried eggs, two hash browns, black pudding, baked beans. It also comes with two slices of toast and choice of tea or coffee. But not an iceberg lettuce in sight. The Harbour Hub Cafe - Cup of tea It was a pleasant surprise that the breakfast came with a hot drink. The price was £11.50, which I felt was reasonable. The smaller Fisherman's Breakfast is a more budget-friendly £5.50. ROOM FOR MORE? Lunch at Tu Mundo on Prestatyn's High Street This might be my favourite restaurant in North Wales! I enjoyed breakfast at what might be Rhyl's friendliest cafe The breakfast was in a word Titanic, too big to fail even. Unlike the door that kept Kate Winslett afloat at the end of the eponymous movie, there was no spare room at all on the square plate that barely contained the large fry up. The Harbour Hub Cafe - The Titnanic Breakfast All of the items were well-cooked. The sausages were thin, but there was plenty of meat on the plate. I prefer my eggs over easy to sunny side up, but I imagine the friendly staff would have done this if I'd thought to ask. The Harbour Hub Cafe - Cheeky breakfast sandwich The toast was a great addition, and I couldn't resist making a breakfast sandwich. There are plenty of outside tables if you want to take your chances with the seagulls. It is clearly a popular spot with cyclists, located as it is on the Coastal Path, and there were several groups stopping off to refuel themselves when I visited. The Harbour Hub Cafe - Ice cream for dogs is available It is also dog friendly, inside and out, with treats and water bowls available - or you can even buy your pooch an ice cream! The Harbour Hub Cafe has a food hygiene rating of five, the maximum, and was last inspected in June this year. On Tripadvisor, it has an average rating of 4.2 out of five based on 255 reviews. Myra W: "Lovely little place. Perfect setting. Food was lovely. Staff were friendly. I hope to visit again very soon. Thank you so much." The Harbour Hub Cafe Kate D: "Great little cafe and only a short walk from our site. Our boys love scootering up along the coastal path for an ice cream here. "The staff here are lovely, and you are always greeted with a smile. Great views of the harbour." The Harbour Hub Cafe - menus Paul M: "The Hub is a firm favourite of ours for Sunday breakfast. "The staff are friendly and helpful; the food is freshly cooked and hot when served. The staff are extremely efficient, and tables are cleared and cleaned immediately. "The views of the sea and hills make it a pleasant place to sit and enjoy the food." I would concur with the above reviews. I will definitely consider visiting again, and, I think, due to its location, it would be a great place to take friends with children.