Belfast City Hall — a Baroque Revival architectural treasure standing in the heart of Donegall Square, the eternal testament to the city's Victorian industrial glory. In 1888 Queen Victoria granted Belfast city status; eighteen years later, this marble palace costing £369,000 (equivalent to approximately £128 million today) officially opened its doors on 1 August 1906. Architect Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas clad the exterior in Dorset Portland stone, with a 53-metre copper dome oxidised over time to its iconic verdigris green, four corner towers standing sentinel over the entire city. Inside, three types of Italian marble — Carrara white, Pavonazzo grey and Brescia red — pave the grand staircase and corridors, with stained glass windows depicting the Belfast coat of arms and the provincial arms of Ireland. This was the office of Titanic builder Lord Pirrie, the venue for the opening of the first Northern Ireland Parliament in 1921, and the memorial hall where a bomb-damaged oil painting from the Belfast Blitz hangs deliberately unrestored. Free guided tours run four times daily, taking you into the Council Chamber, Robing Room and century-old corridors of power normally closed to the public.
From the century-old corridors of power beneath the Baroque dome to the silent remembrance of the Titanic Memorial Garden, from the luxurious veining of the Italian marble grand staircase to the laughter of pigeons on the city centre lawns — step into the heart of Northern Ireland's capital
Enter through the main entrance in the morning, collect your free guided tour ticket at the reception desk (first come first served, arrive 15 minutes early recommended). The 45-50 minute guided tour, led by an experienced guide, departs from the Porte-Cochère and grand entrance, ascending the grand staircase paved in three types of Italian marble into the Rotunda — John Luke's mural and the dome's "whispering gallery" take your breath away. Then pass through the corridor of former Lord Mayor portraits; the guide will specifically point to an oil painting damaged during the 1941 Belfast Blitz that has been deliberately left unrestored as a silent memorial to wartime casualties. The Robing Room displays the Lady Mayoress's jewels set with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, along with the 1871 Mayor's Chair and silver-gilt mace. The Council Chamber is arranged in a horseshoe shape, its wood panelling fragrant with aged polish — the daily stage for Northern Ireland's local governance. After the tour, explore the ground-floor Visitor Exhibition independently — 16 rooms across six thematic zones, from Belfast's founding in 1613 to the shipbuilding legend of the Titanic, from the signing table of the Ulster Covenant to the reflection space on the Troubles, with augmented reality (AR) interactive experiences making walls collapse and books fly out of shelves. In the afternoon, stroll through the gardens: the Titanic Memorial Garden's nine-metre recessed bronze plaque bears the names of 1,512 victims — the world's first Titanic memorial to simultaneously commemorate passengers and crew; the Cenotaph and Memorial Garden serve as the annual Remembrance Day focal point; Queen Victoria's statue gazes solemnly at the building she endowed with city status. In the evening, enjoy a Guinness beef stew and scone at The Bobbin Coffee Shop — a social enterprise café where all profits fund employment training for people with learning disabilities.
A social enterprise café inside City Hall, run by award-winning Loaf Catering, providing 15 training positions weekly for people with learning disabilities — all profits support disability employment. Generous menu: award-winning handmade pork roll (hailed as Belfast's best), daily homemade soup with artisan bread, smoked salmon on Irish wheaten bread, Belgian waffles with berry maple syrup. Afternoon tea duo set perfect for sharing. Per person £8-15, open Monday to Friday 9:30-16:30, Saturday & Sunday 10:00-16:30.
Located in Cleaver House right next to City Hall, a perfect fusion of French elegance and Belfast vitality. Signature eggs Benedict with Irish smoked salmon (£12), Parisian breakfast platter, weekend French afternoon tea three-tier stand (£18/person) unforgettable. Summer terrace overlooking City Hall gardens — a popular choice for photos and dates. Per person £15-25, open Thursday to Saturday until 21:00.
Just two blocks from City Hall, famous for the freshest local seafood. Signature oysters with fresh-made sauce (£14/half dozen), pan-seared sea bass with lemon butter, local steak with black pepper sauce are all must-orders. Cosy and compact space; advance booking recommended. Per person £20-30, Monday to Thursday 12:00-21:30, Friday to Saturday lunch 12:00-16:00, evening 17:00-22:30, Sunday 13:00-18:00.
One of Belfast's oldest coaching inns, tucked away in Pottinger's Entry alleyway, with vintage oak beams and fireplace creating an authentic Irish atmosphere. Signature 48oz giant steak (£35, perfect for sharing), traditional Irish stew with thick brown sauce (£14), Sunday roast feast satisfying. Drinks menu covers local craft ales, Guinness stout and selected wines. Live music performances nightly. Per person £12-25, Monday to Wednesday 12:00-21:00, Thursday to Saturday 12:00-22:00, Sunday 12:00-16:00.