From Donegall Sq., follow Bedford St. onto Dublin Rd. and University Rd. Tourist information available. Rates vary. Dorms £13-16.
PADDY’S PALACE
68 Lisburn Rd.
HOSTEL
028 9033 3367 www.paddyspalace.com
The rules list is sort of long when you walk in the door (no disruption, food and drink only in the kitchen—but Paddy’s Palace is pretty nice. The carpets are a different color in every room just to change it up. You can score a free continental breakfast 7:30-9:30am.
Across the street from Arnie’s, on the corner of Fitzwilliam and Lisburn. Continental breakfast included. 12-bed dorm M-F £9.50, Sa-Su £10; 8-bed M-F £13, Sa-Su £14; 6-bed M-F £14, Sa-Su £15; 4-bed M-F £16, Sa-Su £17; doubles £40-45. Breakfast 7:30-9:30am.
THE GEORGE BAND B
9 Eglantine Ave.
BED AND BREAKFAST
028 9043 9619 [email protected]
With the help of their fantastic staff, the George provides a budget option for those willing to pay a little bit more for privacy. Relax in the wonderfully decorated sitting room or outside on the front bench in the (occasional) Belfast sun.
Across the street from Marine House. Full Irish breakfast included. Singles £30; doubles £50. Breakfast 7-9am.
LAGAN’S HOSTEL
121 Fitzroy Ave.
HOSTEL
0754 041 8246 www.laganbackpackers.com
Lagan’s is another hostel that has built its reputation entirely on its service. The dorms are plain but clean and you’ll enjoy the benefit of free Wi-Fi throughout the hostel, as well as a free full breakfast. Check out the comments in the sign-in book to see just how high the bar has been set.
Kitchen use available. 8-bed dorms M-F £12, Sa-Su £13; 6-bed M-F £13, Sa-Su £14; 4-bed M-F £14 Sa-Su £15; 3-bed M-F £15, Sa-Su £16. Singles M-F £25, Sa-Su £28, doubles M-F £18, Sa-Su £20. Reception 24hr.
ARNIE’S BACKPACKERS
63 Fitzwilliam St.
HOSTEL
028 9024 2867 www.arniesbackpackers.co.uk
Yet another excellent hostel in Belfast, Arnie’s has the local vibe going on. Play with Arnie’s two dogs in the backyard seating area or sit down in the lounge; the tiny 13 in. TV will help you keep your focus on meeting new friends.
On Fitzwilliam St., on the Lisburn Rd. side. The #1 bunk in the 4-bed dorm is lofted and offers more privacy than the rest. Computer £1 per 30min.; proceeds donated to charity. Kitchen available. 8-bed dorms £10; 4-beds £12.
MARINE HOUSE
30 Eglantine Ave.
GUESTHOUSE
028 9066 2828 www.marinehouse3star.com
The amazing rooms in an enormous, classic Victorian home make beautiful Marine House the best B and B on the block. However, the real gem of the establishment is the owner Nat, who is incredibly kind to all of his guests, helping them find attractions and offering advice.
On Eglantine Ave. near Lisburn Rd. Full Irish breakfast included. Singles £45; doubles £60.
The Shopping District
BELFAST INTERNATIONAL HOSTEL
22-32 Donegall Rd.
HOSTEL
028 9031 5435 [email protected]
BIH is like a McDonald’s—you only get it really late at night and you don’t really want it. Housed in a corporate office space, it has over 200 rooms and less than a pint’s worth of character. Still, if you can’t find a room in Belfast, head here and you’re guaranteed a clean place to stay for the night.
Just off Shaftesbury Sq. Presentation of passport or other valid ID necessary for check-in. Dorms M-F £11, Sa-Su £12; standard singles M-F £21, Sa-Su £22.
SIGHTS
From the Saint Anne’s Cathedral with its elegant and pointy architecture, to the W5 Children Activities Center (think giant Tinkertoys), Belfast has a multitude of things to see. To recommend just a few, the city hall tour is worth either a history lesson or a laugh, depending on how you choose to experience it; Queen’s University is elegant or overpriced depending on how you choose to look at it; and the Crown Bar is either memorable or not, depending on how much you choose to drink.
The University District
ULSTER MUSEUM
Botanic Ave.
MUSEUM
028 9042 8428 www.nmni.com
Operating on five floors, and covering art, history, and natural history, this museum has a hell of a lot of exhibits. Even better, all of them are very good. See everything from famous Italian art pieces to T-rex heads. By the time you finish, you’ll have gotten your tourist fix for the entire month.
Just inside the Botanic Gardens South of Queen’s University, on the right. Free. Open Tu-Sa 10am-5pm.
THE BOTANICAL GARDENS
Belfast Gardens Park
PARK
Not to be confused with “The Botanic Inn” sports bar across the street (serving relaxation of a different genre), the botanical gardens are an excellent spot to check out some scenery, watch people walk their dogs, or examine one of the old-fashioned greenhouses. Bets are still off as to why there’s a pine tree in a cage in the middle of the park though.
Just south of Queen’s University on University Rd. Free.
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY
Queen’s University Belfast, University Rd.
UNIVERSITY
028 9097 5252 www.qub.ac.uk
Looking more like the cathedrals of Rome than the inside of your third grade classroom, this school should definitely be passed through and admired. If you pick up the “Walkabout Queen’s” pamphlet, you’ll take a similar route to the guided tours, with no need to tip the brochure when you’re done! (Unless, of course, you thought the brochure was cute, and then you could maybe ask it to dinner and then, well...). The nine stops will take you at least an hour to get through.
To get to the visitor’s center, just walk through the main entrance. Call ahead to arrange a guided tour. Free. Visitors’ center open M-Sa 9:30am-4:30pm, Su 10am-1am.
The Golden Mile
SAINT ANNE’S CATHEDRAL
Donegall St.
CATHEDRAL
Possibly the only time that Gothic and modern architecture have been mixed to positive results, the cavernous interior of the gaudy St. Anne’s Cathedral is broken up by the “Spire of Hope,” a giant space needle (we’re not kidding) jutting through the center of the ceiling and extending into the sky above. Dedicated in 2007, this addition proclaims hope to a city that had none for such a long time.
On the corner of Donegall and Talbot St. 1 block south of the University of Ulster. Free. Donations encouraged. Open M-F 10am-4pm.
The Shopping District
BELFAST CITY HALL AND TOUR
City Hall
CITY TOUR
028 9027 0456
The free, approximately 1hr. tour of Belfast City Hall offers you the opportunity to do several things: admire giant silver scepters and funny old robes, sit in the seats of all the big-wig politicos that are using that funny clothing, and touch furniture that was supposed to go on the Titanic but never made it inside. It’s also informative and historical—we almost forgot that those are important too.
Donegall Sq. Sign up in the foyer of the building, through the front entrance. Free. Tours M-F 11am, 2pm, and 3pm. Sa 2pm and 3pm.
ORMEAU BATHS GALLERY
18a Oremeau Ave.
GALLERY
028 9032 1402 www.ormeaubaths.co.uk
Housed in an old Victorian bathhouse—you’ll see a few hopefully-empty tubs as you walk in the door—the Ormeau Baths gallery rotates between eight and ten exhibits of all sorts throughout the year. It’s a perfect space for a gallery. Quiet, spacious and full of strange echoes, you can almost hear splashing Victorians commenting on the paintings.
3 blocks south of Donegall Sq. on Linenhall St. Occasionally offers workshops for kids. Free. Open Tu-Sa 10am-5:30pm.
The Entries
CUSTOM HOUSE
Custom House Sq.
HISTORICAL SITE
The Custom House isn’t the most interactive of things to visit. In fact, all you can really do here is walk around and admire Charles Lanyon’s architectural work. The Custom House was completed in 1857 to help with Belfast’s emerging status as a commercial trading giant. Fun factoid: novelist Anthony Trollope worked in the Post Office here for several years.
With your back to city hall, walk right on Chichester St., turn left on Victoria St. and it’ll be on your left. Viewing Gallery open M 10am-6pm, Tu-F 10am-9pm, Sa 10am-6pm, Su 1-6pm.
FOOD
Thank goodness for a city whose food options are drunk-friendly. The number of kebab, burger, chip, and Chinese places open late at night here is astounding. They’re everywhere, but especially near Shaftesbury Square and the university. When you’ve woken up and had enough water to feel normal again, however, there are also some places that have especially tasty treats. We’ve listed some of the best below.
The University District
MOLLY’S YARD RESTAURANT
1 College Green Mews, Botanic Ave.
RESTAURANT
028 9032 2600 www.mollysyard.co.uk
Come into the weird, garage-like “yard” of Molly’s Yard and take a seat at one of the wooden tables outside or one of the candle-graced tables inside. It’s your choice—either way you’re going to get great eats. Best of all, it’s cheap (dinner £6.95-9.50). For this caliber of food, that’s amazing. Try the Asian marinated beef skewer with mooli and mango salad with toasted almonds and soy dipping sauce (£9).
1 block south of University St., above the school campus. Dinner entrees £7-9.50. Open M-Th noon-9pm, F-Sa noon-6pm. Evening menu available M-Th 6-9pm, F-Sa 6-9:30pm.
KOOKY’S CAFÉ
112 Lisburn Rd.
CAFE
029 068 7338
Kooky’s Café isn’t so much “kooky” as it is a good place to get your morning coffee fix. There are some pieces of modern art on the walls, and yes, those mirrors are wavy instead of square, but the overall feel is much chiller than its name suggests. Grab a “Veggie Works” breakfast with a free-range egg and pull down the morning’s paper from the rack.
South of city center. From Donegall Sq., follow Bedford St. straight onto Dublin Rd. and finally Lisburn Rd. Lunch sandwiches £3.25-4. Open M-F 9am-4pm, Sa-Su 10am-3pm.
THE BARKING DOG
31-32 Malone Rd.
RESTAURANT
028 9066 1885 [email protected]
Try the homemade linguini with crab meat, chilli and lemon and herb butter (small £6.50, large £11.50 ) at this modern chic restaurant with doggie prints on the fence. The candles on your table are real, and they illuminate the older couples that will be dining all around you.
Next to the Botanic Inn on Malone Rd. Entrees £10-20. Open M-Th noon-3:30pm and 5:30-10pm; F-Sa noon-3pm and 5:30-11pm; Su 1-9pm.
The Golden Mile
NICK’S WAREHOUSE
35-39 Hill St.
BISTRO
028 9043 9690 www.nickswarehouse.co.uk
Expressionist paintings sit next to home photos at this bistro-esque restaurant. With an enormous wine selection (£3-5 per glass) and a comfortable brick interior, Nick’s Warehouse gives you all the frills of a high-end restaurant with none of the pretense.
5min. walk Northwest of Donegall Sq. Wine £3-5. Open Tu-Th noon-3pm and 6-9:30pm, F-Sa noon-3pm and 6-10pm.
THE CHIPPIE
29 Lower North St.
FAST FOOD
028 9043 9619
Absolutely the cheapest option around, everything at the Chippie goes for under £3.30. Several chip variations (that’s “fries” to you Amur’can folk) including “gravy chip,” “garlic chip,” and “curry chip,” are here to tempt. If that doesn’t whet your palate then go for a ¼lb. Hawaiian burger (£2.85).
3min. walk north of Donegall Sq. Fish £3.30. Everything else £3. Open M-W 10:30am-6pm, Th 10:30am-9pm, F-Sa-6pm.
PRINTER’S CAFÉ
33 Lower Donegall St.
RESTAURANT, CAFE
028 9031 3406
Down the street from the Duke of York is this BBQ paradise. Get chargrilled Thai beef patties with Asian salad, warm pita bread, satay sauce and sweet chilli sauce (£8.25). Or, if you’re just into getting some food in you before heading off to drink at the DOY, grab a sandwich from their takeaway counter at the front of the building.
Vegetarian options available. Lunch £4-10. Open M-Sa lunch 11:30am-3pm. Dinner F-Sa 5:30-9:30pm.
2TAPS
42 Waring St.
TAPAS BAR
028 9031 1414 www.2tapswinebar.com
Why they didn’t just call it “2Tapas” is a mystery to us as well. This Spanish-influenced tapas bar serves a “Creme Catalan” (orange-infused brulee) and sangria by the jug (£12). The interior is full of wood paneling and wraparound booths. If you want to head outside, however, the samba music will follow.
5min. walk northwest of Donegall Sq. Lunch plates £7. Tapas £3.50-5. Entrees £12-15. Open in summer daily noon-8pm. Open fall-spring Tu-Sa noon-8pm.
The Shopping District
MADE IN BELFAST
Units 1 and 2, Wellington St.
IRISH
028 9024 6712 www.madeinbelfastni.com
The welcome mat inside the door declares “Shake your arse for a hip Belfast!” and you best obey, or you’re not going to fit in, with the smatterings of wallpaper scraps, mirrors, and spraypaint on the walls set up leopard couches and furry pillows. Even if you’re afraid of having a color-induced seizure, you should still come in and eat. The food is all fresh and wholesome and comes in large quantities.
1 block west of Donegall Sq. Wine and cocktail menu available. Meals £5-10. Open M-W noon-3pm and 5:30-10pm, Th-Sa noon-3pm and 5:30-11pm. Su 12:30-4pm and 6-9pm.
AM:PM
42 Upper Arthur St.
RESTAURANT
028 9024 9009
Wow, the candelabras here actually get some use. Atmosphere’s the thing here, with flowers, mirrors and tiny lamps that hold candles on your table. It’s up to you to decide if the quality matches the jump in price.
1 block east of Donegall Sq. Lunch dishes £5-10. Pints £3.40. Open M-Th 10am-midnight, F-Sa 10am-1am, Su noon-midnight.
FOUNTAIN COFFEE
27-29 Fountain St.
CAFE
028 9024 6655
These homemade pastries go the extra mile, thanks to the expert chef. Take one out onto the large terrace area in front of the big bay windows. Student discount 10% with ID.
North of Donegall Sq. Vegetarian options available. Sandwiches £5-7. Entrees £6.50-7. Coffee £1.30-2.25. Open M-W 7am-6pm, Th 7am-8pm, F-Sa 7am-6pm, Su 11am-5pm.
THE LITTLE CUPCAKE CAFÉ
8 Bedford St.
CUPCAKES
028 9024 1751 www.thelittlecupcake.co.uk
Hiding just a minute’s walk away from Belfast City Hall, in the middle of the business district, is a tiny little cafe that looks like your grandmother’s house. Flowered wallpaper and plaid-embroidered couches don’t mean your Grannie can bake like this, though—unless your Grannie actually does make ultra decadent cupcakes of all kinds (£1.70 each). Raspberry white chocolate? Latté? Cookies and cream? Yes, yes, yes, please.
Directly off Donegall Sq. S. Milkshakes £2.20. Coffee £1-2. Open M-F 8am-6pm, Sa 10:30am-6pm, Su 1-6pm.
The Entries
SARNIE’S
35 Rosemary St.
DELI
This is a real-deal deli. Squeeze yourself into the tiny interior, wait your turn, order your food (make sure you know what you want beforehand), and wham! Take your foot-long sub outside though, or you’ll be trying to get your sandwich to your mouth around somebody else’s elbow.
North of Donegall Sq. Outdoor seating area available. Sandwiches £3.50. Soups £2. Open M-F 6am-3pm.
CLEMENT’S COFFEE
37-39 Rosemary St.
CAFE
028 9032 2293
Clement’s motto is “we�
��re religious about coffee.” You’d think that, in a city with Belfast’s history, such a remark might spark some ire. Well, everybody’s too busy enjoying the coffee to care. Possibly the best latte in town can be found here (£2). Sandwiches and panini available as well. Sit outside or crash in the leather couches by the big bay windows.
Let's Go Europe 2011: The Student Travel Guide Page 36