Deanes Restaurant

The refurbished Deanes restaurant, now situated in the larger ground floor of the Howard Street building, is firmly established as the stylish and contemporary flagship for the expanding Deanes Restaurant Group. Situated just round the corner from its sibling Vin Café and Bistro in Bedford Street, and just half a mile from the vibrant new Deanes at Queens' bar and grill, it makes it an ideal location for owner Michael Deane to oversee all three city-centre operations. The crisp linen tablecloths and designer setting have proved very popular with the dining elite of Belfast and make early booking advisable. The open kitchen provides diners with the theatre of chefs-on-show, though this is a calm and disciplined brigade, while service is suitably impeccable and knowledgeable but relaxed. High quality, precision cooking, great combinations and clear flavours showcase the best of the province's produce; a modern approach of the most refined and confident order. Consistency is key here, there's nothing too overly faddish either, just quality through and through. Take a saddle of rabbit served with macaroni gratin, chervil root purée, roast cep and a smoked bacon and verjus reduction, or perhaps pan-fried halibut accompanied by a tagliatelle of local squid with sauce of confit tomato and shellfish and parmesan gnocchi. Peripherals like breads and petits fours all hit form too, as might a warm chocolate fondant with stout ice cream and macadamia tuile. An excellent wine list, including a notable list of pudding wines, proves a fitting accompaniment.

At rear of City Hall. Howard St on left opposite Spires building
Nearest station: Great Victoria Street

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