Belfast is not the biggest city, but it does have several distinct neighbourhoods. It’s worth making time to explore each area; there is so much to discover.
If you’re planning a trip to Belfast, I hope my series of city guides will be useful. Starting with my favourite part of the city: The Cathedral Quarter.
The Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
Taking its name from St Anne’s Cathedral- more commonly known as Belfast Cathedral- this is the historic commercial quarter of the city; a network of cobblestone streets, narrow lanes known as ‘courts’ or ‘entries’ and old warehouses.
The Cathedral Quarter was the place where wealthy entrepreneurs mixed with the poorest of the city, giving the area real character. After a period of decline, this neighbourhood of maze like streets and historic buildings has reinvented itself as a social and cultural hub.
It’s an area of Belfast you should not miss.
Things to do in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
St Anne’s Cathedral
Full guide to Belfast Cathedral coming soon
Starting with the star of the show, the Cathedral herself. The Cathedral Church of St. Anne has stood as a place of worship in the heart of Belfast for over a century. St Anne’s is full of beautiful features including beautiful mosaics, stained glass and stonework.
Belfast Cathedral is also keeper of the unique Spire of Hope; a unique slimline, lightweight spire designed to work with the soft foundations of the historic building.
Norther Ireland War Memorial Museum
A small and friendly museum telling the story of Belfast during WW2.
A range of exhibits and memorials cover life on the Home Front, the Belfast Blitz, American soldiers in Northern Ireland and the Ulster Home Guard.
The museum is open Monday- Saturday, free entry, no booking required.
Explore the Courts and Entries
The Cathedral Quarter is made up of a network of streets known as ‘courts’ or ‘entries’. These narrow streets are some of the oldest in Belfast full of quirky corners, street art and history.
The most famous of these streets- and probably the most photographed in Belfast- has to be Commercial Court, also known as Umbrella Street.
If history is your vibe, look out for the boards dotted about giving a bite size history of these streets. Some of it might surprise you. For example, one of the unassuming entryways used to be the entrance to Belfast’s first female founded, female run maternity unit. Who knew, hey?
St Annes Square & The MAC
The Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) is a world class venue in the heart of Belfast, home to all kinds of art exhibitions, shows and other creative shenanigans. The MAC is also home to a very nice cafe-bar, the profits of which go back into the venue. Indulge and support the arts? Rude not to!
Alongside the MAC, find St Annes Square. This pretty little square has a European city feel and is home to the ‘Anne’ sculpture by Lucy Glendinning. It’s a lovely spot in the Cathedral Quarter and quite different from the other streets.
In Spring / Summer this is also the place to come and eat al fresco as St Annes Square is home to several restaurants, bringing me nicely to…
Where to Eat in the Cathedral Quarter
You won’t go hungry or thirsty in this corner of Belfast. There are pubs, cafes and restaurants galore. Here’s a few of my personal favourites.
7 Spice on St Annes Square
A gorgeous little spot offering Bangladeshi cuisine and, if you fancy it, a fun dining experience in the form of their dining pods. Relaxed dining, fresh food and a great drinks/ cocktail menu.
Yardbird & The Dirty Onion on Hill Street
Above the Dirty Onion pub, you’ll find Yardbird: a free range rotisserie chicken restaurant housed in a 300 year old building. Small menu, big flavours and a great atmosphere.
The Dirty Onion is the perfect stop for pre- or post- food drinks, with live music every night.
Mackles Ice Cream on Hill Street
You won’t miss this small but sweet place; they serve out of a hatch and there’s lots of flowers and lots of pink. This is the place for deluxe ice creams, hot chocolates and iced coffees.
Highly recommend the Biscoff creation of dreams.
Where to Stay in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
Budget Stay: Quarter by Warren Collection
A Cosy, comfortable option in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter offering great value for money. Continental breakfast is included in the stay rates and if you don’t want to eat out all the time, there is a communal kitchen.
The Quarter by Warren Collection is well located for exploring Belfast and very close to the stop for the Belfast International Airport bus.
Luxury Stay: The Merchant Hotel
The former headquarters of the Ulster Bank, now a Belfast icon offering five star luxury.
Alongside beautiful and historic rooms, The Merchant boasts a rooftop hot tub and some beautiful dining options. The Great Room restaurant has retained many original Victorian features and is home to Ireland’s largest chandelier.
A great option for a beautiful Belfast afternoon tea if a stay isn’t in the budget.
I hope you’ve enjoyed a glimpse at The Cathedral Quarter, one of my favourite parts of Belfast.
If you’d like more Belfast & Northern Ireland travel inspiration, please do browse my other posts here.
Helen x
Thank you for sharing
Thanks for taking the time to read & comment, appreciate it! 😊
I’d visited Dublin many times before making it to Belfast and was much impressed by the city. It’s well worth a visit.
I’m glad you enjoyed Belfast Sheree, I’m trying to plan in a trip to Dublin soon.
Enjoy!
That looks like the perfect area for a city wander! I especially like the look of the courts, and I loved the mural above the Dirty Onion 🙂
That mural is one of my favourites, I’m sure you’d find plenty to photograph in the Cathedral Quarter 😊
Thi is one of my favourite places to explore in Belfast – I love its maze of cobblestoned streets and all the warehouses that are now home to trendy bars, beer gardens, clubs and restaurants. I also love stopping by the MAC to check out the excibitions. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Thanks for reading Aiva, it’s a great corner of the city 😊
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Cathedral Quarter looks so charming. I visited Belfast with my family in the 70s, it definitely looks like it’s time for a revisit. It wasn’t the nicest place to be back then, I actually can’t believe my parents took us! Maggie
Your parents must have been up for an adventure! 😆 A lot has happened in Belfast since then, definitely worth a visit.
Haha or naive!
It looks like a city with a lot going for it, Helen. I saw that mural and the venue for high tea on Instagram. Very nice!
It’s a great city for wandering, enjoying exploring. Thanks for coming along, Jo!
We visited the cathedral but not the MAC. Not enough time!
Always next time!
Oh how lovely, I really want to get to Belfast one day soon 🙂 It looks like such a great city with so much to see and do.
It’s a very interesting city, and some lovely places in day tripping distance. I hope you make it over!
Looks like a great place to take a camera. The ice cream sounds delish. 😋
The ice cream is amazing, resistance is futile!
You’re definitely doing a good job. Belfast seems ever more tempting as a destination.
Thank you Margaret
Thank you for sharing these information. Looks a nice area.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, it’s one of my favourite areas of Belfast 😊
Seems like a place that I will love. Such a pretty town.
It’s a great city for a wander, thanks for taking the time to read to comment.
I’ve never been to Belfast and to be honest never thought too much of it, but after reading this, I would be very curious to check it out. It seems like it has a very interesting history, and I love those tiny narrow streets! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Belfast is a very interesting city. Definitely worth a few days of your time if you are ever in this part of the world. Appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.