What to do in.....Belfast

Grab a mug and enjoy the music

Root and Branch coffee roasters is, quite simply, the coolest neighbourhood coffee shop. Roots and Branch are a relatively new coffee shop serving tasty coffee and baked sweet treats. They take their coffee seriously and roast on site, and the smell is just incredible. It’s a must stop for any coffee lovers. If possible, visit on a Sunday when they have live music sessions in the afternoon. It’s a neat little space they have but good things come in small packages!

Visit craft beer paradise

There's nothing like sampling unique craft beer at the very home of those who created the robot brewery.  Brewbot put Belfast on the world beer map, developing an app and a mini home brewery.  The success of the brewbot device has led to the opening of the brewbot bar. And it’s amazing! There are no screens, just tables, board games and drinks. Located in the increasingly bohemian Ormeau Road area, staff have a great knowledge of the over 250 different bottled beers and 12 rotating taps.  Every visit is a different tasting experience. We love ordering a tasting board of beer and chatting through which one is our favourite.

 

Discover art in an alleyway

Belfast's beautiful back alleys feature cobbled streets, hanging baskets, twinkly lights, pubs, restaurants and a brilliant buzz – and Commercial Court is a real standout. The area has put a twist on the traditional Belfast-style mural seen in other areas of the city. Here you'll find a courtyard full of famous northern Irish faces painted on the walls, celebrating those who have put their country on the map! Explore the area and see how many you recognise. There are tons of other art installations so there’s plenty to look at, and kids will love the vibrant colours.

Get your creative brain on

The Mac (Metropolitan Arts Centre) hosts regular shows, plays and events. It's a great space within a beautiful modern building that showcases creative arts from around the globe. It's an inspiring place to simply while away some time, and we love to pop in and view some of the free art installations.  Even if you’ve not planned to attend a specific event, you can have a meal or coffee in the restaurant (called Native) and enjoy the building itself. If you have tired kids who need to have some 'down time' they even cater for that; with a family play area and library. Our kids have loved the interactive shows here and they run seasonal family events all year round, while a full programme can be found on their website.