Cathedral Quarter
Cathedral Quarter
4.5
About
Posh, upscale neighborhood lined with glass and chrome buildings, cafes and wine bars.
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The area
Neighborhood: City Centre
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Restaurants
1,094 within 3 miles
Attractions
247 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
922 reviews
Excellent
525
Very good
316
Average
64
Poor
14
Terrible
3
Laura T
Middlesbrough, UK7,667 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
This is the busiest area in Belfast as it is very popular for its many dining options and numerous bars, many offering live entertainment. We visited on a saturday night and it was absolutely packed! The most popular (and busy!) bars are here. The Duke of York is notorious and high on our list as tourists, but we couldn't get anywhere near The Duke of York pub, people were buying drinks and standing out in the alley/small street "Umbrella Street" it was that packed!
We really lucked out though as went into nearby the Dark Horse with no expectations, it was just next door and seemed less chaotically busy! To then find this pub has a huge courtyard with large expanse of walls filled with amazing murals! Its definitely worthwhile walking through this pub and to the courtyard for at least 1 drink or 2.
"Umbrella Street" does look great in photos when lit up at night so is worthwhile walking past to take a photo. However, in my opinion the bars are just too busy on a weekend and we prefer less popular places a short walk away. There is lots of great street art as you walk the nearby streets.
We really lucked out though as went into nearby the Dark Horse with no expectations, it was just next door and seemed less chaotically busy! To then find this pub has a huge courtyard with large expanse of walls filled with amazing murals! Its definitely worthwhile walking through this pub and to the courtyard for at least 1 drink or 2.
"Umbrella Street" does look great in photos when lit up at night so is worthwhile walking past to take a photo. However, in my opinion the bars are just too busy on a weekend and we prefer less popular places a short walk away. There is lots of great street art as you walk the nearby streets.
Written July 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doobles6
66 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
This are has a completely different fell to the rest of the city.
Smart bars and eateries are scattered around the cobbled streets giving it a more exclusive feel.
The umbrellas by The Duke of York are a bit of an attraction, especially when lit in neon at night.
We particularly enjoyed The Dark Horse. Delicious Irish stew and wheaten bread, sumptuous surroundings, friendly staff and, hubby said, an excellent Guinness.
Their home brewed Belfast Blossom was an absolute treat.
Well worth an amble around to soak up the atmosphere.
Smart bars and eateries are scattered around the cobbled streets giving it a more exclusive feel.
The umbrellas by The Duke of York are a bit of an attraction, especially when lit in neon at night.
We particularly enjoyed The Dark Horse. Delicious Irish stew and wheaten bread, sumptuous surroundings, friendly staff and, hubby said, an excellent Guinness.
Their home brewed Belfast Blossom was an absolute treat.
Well worth an amble around to soak up the atmosphere.
Written March 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,238 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Cathedral Quarter is the Northern part of the City Centre and as you would assume it is located close to Belfast Cathedral. There are quite a few bars in this area and a casino as well.
There are lots of nice buildings to admire including the cathedral itself and the Belfast Central Library.
There is also a large amount of excellent street art which I enjoyed photographing.
I am not much of a drinker so I did not go in any of the bars however it was a nice area to be around.
There are lots of nice buildings to admire including the cathedral itself and the Belfast Central Library.
There is also a large amount of excellent street art which I enjoyed photographing.
I am not much of a drinker so I did not go in any of the bars however it was a nice area to be around.
Written May 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob R
Tredegar, UK2,631 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We spent most evenings in the Cathedral Quarter as this is the main hub for bars and restaurants. The Merchant Hotel, The Duke of York, The Dirty Onion and many many more can all be found here. Great atmosphere and a mixture of locals and visitors. It’s worth visiting in the day as well as there are lots of picture opportunities here. However it’s by night you will be spending most your time at this location
Written October 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isabel H
Maryport, UK7 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Visited Belfast for a friends 40th. A group of 14 with ages ranging from 32 to 76. Stayed in central apartments handy for everything. Plenty of variety for everybody, including entertainment, shopping and site seeing. Very friendly,helpful people. Felt very safe
Written April 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BenHarris
Harwich, UK275 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
We went to the Cathedral Quarter a couple of nights for a drink at the Duke of York. Sat outside on both occasions and you really get a feel of the atmosphere. Live music on at certain places.
Definitely worth a visit for a drink
Definitely worth a visit for a drink
Written September 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter M
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Belfast Cathedral is a wonderful building with a fascinating history and some beautiful features. The building has beautiful stained-glass windows and mosaics. The cathedral guides are generous with their time. i loved my visit to this treasure house of faith.
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly F
570 contributions
Aug 2020
This is such a fun area of Belfast. We stayed closer to City Hall, but we wish we had stayed in the Cathedral Quarter. The pubs are a blast and there's always something going on. Great for young people or anyone looking for some great drinks and fun music.
Written August 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David H
Bury, UK1,636 contributions
Jul 2021
It was mid July when we visited, and we thought a nice stroll around the quarter would be nice. The Cathedral was completely closed, the square opposite was empty apart from some groups of undesirables, and the surrounding streets were shabby. To be honest, we couldn't get out of there quickly enough!
Written November 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason S
Melbourne, Australia2,180 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
Cathedral Quarter not for everyone, during the day not much to really see maybe just to grab lunch.
Atmosphere is more at night with many bars and live music etc, if into live music you will enjoy the buzz of the area, if you are not into bars and music you may think Quarter is so so.
I didn’t mind it and found it worth walking around.
Atmosphere is more at night with many bars and live music etc, if into live music you will enjoy the buzz of the area, if you are not into bars and music you may think Quarter is so so.
I didn’t mind it and found it worth walking around.
Written July 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vera M
Playa de las Americas, Spain
Triip adviser reccomended restaurants in cathedral quarter
Written September 11, 2019
Blaze and glaze, amazing! Used to be old tony romas! Ribs are to die for. Drinks, service dessert all perfect! Gooooooooo!
Written September 12, 2019
Hi my husband and I are looking at booking a weekend in Belfast for 2 weeks time. it will be our first visit where is the best place to stay? we want to visit the titanic museum and maybe a do a bit off shopping. Don't mind walking during the day but would prefer the hotel to be close to the bars and restaurants so not having to walk far at night. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Written August 20, 2018
My wife and I recently stayed at the AC Hotel Belfast (part of the Marriott chain) while visiting friends in the area. The hotel is located next to the harbor and the Titanic museum. There is a beautiful view (ask for the harbor view) from our Seventh floor room and the room was exceptionally quiet. Below is a brand new boardwalk area perfect for walking to nearby attractions. The Titanic Museum gives a great understanding of how much work went into making such a fabulous vessel.
Written August 21, 2018
Are the bars busy on a Saturday afternoon and is there any live music anywhere? Coming for my sister in laws 30th in a couple of weeks. Thanks.
Written January 13, 2018
Yep bars are busy enough. Some live music around. Probably best to try the thirsty goat or dirty onion. Also the Spaniard but it can get very crowded.
Written January 14, 2018
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