Unit 1-2 Wellington Building,
Wellington Street,
Belfast,
BT1 6HT
(028) 9024 6712
The ViewBelfast Review
This industrial hip eatery brings a fresh approach to inner-city dining with a invigorating back to basics menu and a commitment to locally sourced ingredients.
The Venue
Right in the heart of the city centre, nestled in the narrow alley of Wellington Street, this new restaurant is certainly something out of the ordinary for Belfast’s restaurant scene. Despite its freshness it's still managed to settle in with the various high fashion and specialist boutiques that have opened in this once undeveloped back street. The decor and informal style immediately sets it apart and its high bare ceilings, stencilled walls and eclectic collection of furnishings are a bold choice.
The People
Its spacious dining area and large windows make the most of the available light, giving the venue a bright and airy feel. The stylish jumble of seating options mean you can enjoy a full sit-down meal or simply grab a coffee and slump into an old sofa or armchair and watch the world go by. The staff may have a laid back demeanour, but service is prompt, very friendly and certainly adds much needed warmth to the ultra cool surroundings.
The Food
The menu is based around traditional local recipes. This is a high risk decision as it means that customers can be over-familiar with the dishes and you therefore run the risk of producing an inferior copy of a popular dish. Thankfully Made In Belfast seems to have successfully run that gauntlet. The beef and Guinness stew, served with a fresh batch loaf, may have been done many times before, but this version is a succulent treat. There's also fried egg and chips, sausage and mash, Ulster baked ham and if you've been missing home you can get your fill of old school recipes here. While not reinventing these meals as such, they are managing to bring new life to tried and tested recipes by concentrating on fresh ingredients and great cooking.
The Last Word
The mish-mash of urban design and retro chic may not be inviting to everyone, but those who join the hipsters and curious passers-by will find a fantastic new place to eat some old favourites.
Made In Belfast has been reviewed by 9 users