Best Brunch Belfast: 8 Top Spots in 2024

You’ll get the best brunch in Belfast from Parisien, House and The Pocket.

In my opinion, anyway…

However, those three are just the tip of a very tasty iceberg!

There are several exceptional brunch spots in Belfast City Centre that range from fancy to quirky, as you’ll discover below!

The best brunch in Belfast City Centre

Many of the best restaurants in Belfast offer some form of brunch menu these days, and there’s stiff competition for business.

The beauty of this, from a diner’s perspective, is that the standard of brunch places in Belfast has never been higher. Here are the city’s top spots!

1. The Pocket

Upper Church Lane’s the Pocket is one of the quirkier spots for brunch Belfast has to offer.

You’ll find it in the historic Flat Iron Building, right behind the now-iconic Bittles Bar (one of the top pubs in Belfast for Guinness).

When you saunter inside you’ll be greeted by a vintage-inspired interior, featuring high ceilings, warm lighting, and plenty of greenery that creates a cozy yet stylish ambiance.

Menu highlights include the Chorizo Brunch with sourdough, poached egg, and zesty chorizo, and the Green Eggs on Toast with poached eggs and homemade green sauce.

2. House Belfast

Located on Botanic Avenue, House is one of the few spots still offering bottomless brunch in Belfast.

The regular brunch takes place every Saturday from 11 am to 3:30 pm and then you can pay an additional £25 for a boozy brunch.

The interior here is very funky, with dim lighting, printed wallpaper and stand-out cherry blossom decor.

Menu highlights include the Eggs Benedict with bacon and Hollandaise sauce, and the House Smash featuring poached eggs, crushed avocado, and chilli on sourdough.

3. Parisien

Situated in the historic Cleaver House near Belfast City Hall, Café Parisien offers some of the most refined brunch Belfast has to offer.

The elegant, old-world setting, complete with a beautiful terrace, provides the perfect backdrop for munching away on classic French fare.

Menu highlights include Eggs Benedict served on brioche with back bacon and hollandaise, and the Parisien Breakfast featuring pork and leek sausage, back bacon, tomato, mushrooms, and toasted sourdough.

Opt for the brunch plate alone or elevate your experience with the drinks package, including a variety of wines, beers, and cocktails.

4. Panama Belfast

Located on McClintock Street near Ulster Hall, Panama Café offers a unique brunch experience inspired by South American cuisine.

The chic interior features a blend of modern and rustic elements, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Highlights from the menu include the Vanilla French Toast with orange mascarpone cream and blueberries, and the Huevos con Chorizo with sautéed chorizo, avocado, and pico de gallo.

Oh, and if you like eating out with your pooch, this is one of the few pet-friendly Belfast brunch spots!

5. Neighbourhood Cafe

You’ll find Neighbourhood Cafe is the city’s buzzy Cathedral Quarter where it’s become a haven for specialty coffee enthusiasts and brunch lovers.

The modern, minimalist interior with exposed brick walls and warm lighting creates an inviting atmosphere to sample (reputedly) some of the finest coffee in Belfast.

One of the standout dishes at Neighbourhood is the Turkish Eggs, a combination of poached eggs nestled in garlic yogurt and drizzled with spicy chili butter.

Equally tempting is the Breakfast Bap, a brioche roll packed with smoked bacon, savoury pork sausage, a perfectly fried egg, and a tangy house-made tomato relish.

6. Established Coffee

You’ll find more of the best brunch Belfast has to offer in (again) the Cathedral Quarter at Established Coffee.

Opened in 2013, Established Coffee boasts a minimalist interior with industrial design elements, featuring polished concrete floors, exposed lighting, and a large communal table at its centre.

My go-to from the breakfast menu is the Crispy Potato Hash Brown, paired with salt and chili asparagus.

For those with a sweet tooth, the White Chocolate French Toast, topped with lime mousse and spiced Belgian biscuit, will be hard to pass-on.

7. The Lamppost Café

OK, so the last two of the brunch places in Belfast in this guide aren’t in the city centre, but they’re a short spin away.

The first is Lamppost Café on Upper Newtownards Road. The first thing that’ll strike you about this place is its charming, vintage decor and its eclectic interior filled with comfy seating.

Notable dishes include the classic Lamppost Fry, featuring a hearty mix of free-range fried egg, back bacon, pork sausage, and black pudding, and the Poached Egg & Avocado, served on warm sourdough with toasted walnuts and basil oil.

This is also one of the only dog friendly spots for brunch in Belfast City Centre (there’s a “Puppy Plates” menu packed with treats your pooch will love!).

8. General Merchants

Last but by no means least is one of the better-known spots for brunch in Belfast – General Merchants (the Ormeau Road location is best, in my opinion!).

Perched at the corner of Deramore Avenue and Ormeau Road, with views of the scenic South Parade and just a stone’s throw from Ormeau Park, a fine feed awaits you, here!

Highlights from the menu include the Granola Bowl, which features homemade granola with Clandeboye yoghurt, seasonal berries, banana, and candied pecans.

Another standout is The Maghrebi, consisting of sweet potato hummus on toasted sourdough, glazed beetroot, pickled golden raisins, feta, saffron couscous, green oil, and two poached eggs.

Explore beyond the Belfast brunch spots

Now that you know where to grab the best brunch in Belfast City Centre, it’s time to explore the city beyond its food.

There are endless things to do in Belfast – here are some ides:

• Tours: Black Cab Tours, Crumlin Gaol, Titanic Belfast and the Belfast Murals
• Attractions: Botanic Gardens, Belfast Castle and St Anne’s Cathedral
• Trails: See my Belfast walks guide (Divis Mountain and Cave hill are great hikes!)
• More food: See my guides to  afternoon tea in Belfast, Sunday lunch in Belfast and vegan restaurants in Belfast

Have any Belfast brunch spots that you want to recommend? Shout away in the comments below – cheers!