
House of Zen
Quick info
About House of Zen
House of Zen is a Chinese restaurant in Belfast at 3 St Annes Square, with a cocktail bar that serves colour-changing cocktails and brings some dishes to the table under smoking domes. The kitchen cooks chicken in black bean sauce, and the dessert list includes Belgian chocolate cake. Wooden screens divide the dining room, and banquette seats line the sides. A three-course set menu gives diners a fixed route through the meal. The room takes walk-ins.
Good to know
“Stylish Chinese restaurant with wooden screens, subtle lighting, banquette seats and a cocktail bar.”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken in black bean sauce, cocktails, chicken satay and sweet and sour chicken.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken in black bean sauce, cocktails, chicken satay and sweet and sour chicken.
Customer Review Summary
Chicken dishes anchor the praise, with diners naming the chicken in black bean sauce, sweet and sour chicken, chicken curry and a chicken satay whose dressing one reviewer calls the best thing they ate. Close behind are the aubergine in black bean sauce, noodles with varied textures, and big portions that make sharing easy. Cocktails also draw comment, including ones that change colour or arrive under smoking domes, and one reviewer recommends the Belgian chocolate cake. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and quick, checking on tables even when the room was packed. Noise is the recurring complaint. Several describe the room as loud on busy nights, one blames the hard surfaces, one could not hear their companion at all, and another found the tables too close together for privacy. A few found the pi-pa duck plain and the dumplings nothing special, and one felt the house lager came in a short measure. One reviewer disliked staff reaching over them to clear plates and glasses while they were still eating.
Customer Review Summary
Chicken dishes anchor the praise, with diners naming the chicken in black bean sauce, sweet and sour chicken, chicken curry and a chicken satay whose dressing one reviewer calls the best thing they ate. Close behind are the aubergine in black bean sauce, noodles with varied textures, and big portions that make sharing easy. Cocktails also draw comment, including ones that change colour or arrive under smoking domes, and one reviewer recommends the Belgian chocolate cake. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and quick, checking on tables even when the room was packed. Noise is the recurring complaint. Several describe the room as loud on busy nights, one blames the hard surfaces, one could not hear their companion at all, and another found the tables too close together for privacy. A few found the pi-pa duck plain and the dumplings nothing special, and one felt the house lager came in a short measure. One reviewer disliked staff reaching over them to clear plates and glasses while they were still eating.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Loved the food and environment. The staff needs to be a little more professional and welcoming.”
- Google user
“As a table of 4, we had the most amazing experience, food and service at House of Zen. The meal was delicious! Highly recommend for any occasion. The staff were very attentive including replenishing our water glasses often. Initially it seemed quite dark but the atmosphere was great, it was just the perfect setting and a high quality meal.”
- Google user
“Wow what an experience. Staff was very welcoming and was always at hand so you didnt feel out of place. Food was amazing , so fresh and big portions, so sharing was not an issue. The prices were as expected not to cheap and not to expensive. Even had a heated toilet seat. 😉 Highly recommended and would definatly go back.”
- Google user
“Lovely food and nice cocktails. Actually the food is fantastic. They are quick to get you out and keep taking plate, glasses away while your eating. I don't like this as they are reaching over you while you eat. It is very busy, its also ridiculously loud. We couldn't hear each other at all.”
- Google user
“First time to Zen for food and we weren't disappointed! I opted for the chicken curry and my other half had a beef dish. Both were thoroughly enjoyed. Cocktails are also very tasty. Staff very pleasant and friendly and service was very quick. If your thinking of dessert (if you've room of course), I'd recommend the Belgian chocolate cake...it was delicious 😋 Will be back!!”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Chinese Restaurants near House of Zen
- Red Panda Restaurant4.15170.7 mi
authentic cantonese dishes, sweet and sour chicken, kung pao chicken
- Same Happy4.43140.9 mi
roast duck with rice, bbq platter, beef brisket dry noodles
- Ruby House4.0441.4 mi
curry with a kick, rubbery chicken, soggy chips
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| House of Zen | 4.31,262 | — | chicken in black bean sauce, cocktails, chicken satay |
| Red Panda Restaurant | 4.1517 | 0.7 mi | authentic cantonese dishes, sweet and sour chicken, kung pao chicken |
| Same Happy | 4.4314 | 0.9 mi | roast duck with rice, bbq platter, beef brisket dry noodles |
| Ruby House | 4.044 | 1.4 mi | curry with a kick, rubbery chicken, soggy chips |
The 3 nearest chinese restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Chinese Restaurants nearby
More to explore in Belfast

56 places
Restaurants in Belfast
Photo: Darcy's Belfast · 4.7 · 2,028 Google reviews
See all 56 restaurants in Belfast



