The Lantern Restaurant
Quick info
About The Lantern Restaurant
On Wellington Place in Belfast, The Lantern Restaurant is a bistro serving seasonal dishes in a small space with limited seating. The exterior does not look like much from outside, but the kitchen turns out fish of the day, including salmon and sea bass with purée and vegetables, alongside pork belly and fish and chips. Sticky toffee pudding is a recurring dessert order, and apple crumble is also offered. Rockshore, a local beer, is served alongside the food. The restaurant takes walk-ins rather than reservations, fitting an informal approach to dining, including multi-course pre-theatre meals for those heading to a show.
Good to know
“Informal place dishing up seasonal bistro fare, including multi-course pre-theatre meals.”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sticky toffee pudding, pork belly, fresh fish dishes and king prawns starter.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sticky toffee pudding, pork belly, fresh fish dishes and king prawns starter.
Customer Review Summary
Sticky toffee pudding draws repeated praise as the meal's high point, with several diners ordering it specifically and one party going back for a second helping. Close behind, mains like the pork belly, duck, and sea bass come up again and again as delicious and cooked well, alongside starters such as king prawns and a mushroom and vegetable risotto that a group of ten all enjoyed. The owner and staff are singled out often as friendly, engaging, and attentive, with the host's manner toward guests and staff specifically noted. Not every visit landed the same way: one diner called the experience a tourist trap, describing the chili squid, chicken and salmon, bread, and chips as bland, and finding the lemon poset and apple crumble more like sweetened applesauce, all at a price they felt wasn't cheap. The restaurant's small, modest-looking frontage comes up repeatedly, with several noting it belies the food inside.
Customer Review Summary
Sticky toffee pudding draws repeated praise as the meal's high point, with several diners ordering it specifically and one party going back for a second helping. Close behind, mains like the pork belly, duck, and sea bass come up again and again as delicious and cooked well, alongside starters such as king prawns and a mushroom and vegetable risotto that a group of ten all enjoyed. The owner and staff are singled out often as friendly, engaging, and attentive, with the host's manner toward guests and staff specifically noted. Not every visit landed the same way: one diner called the experience a tourist trap, describing the chili squid, chicken and salmon, bread, and chips as bland, and finding the lemon poset and apple crumble more like sweetened applesauce, all at a price they felt wasn't cheap. The restaurant's small, modest-looking frontage comes up repeatedly, with several noting it belies the food inside.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“This was one of the best meals we had during a recent visit to Belfast. The service was outstanding, so was the food. We each had duck for main. It was delicious and cooked perfectly. I got apple crumble for desert, and my husband got sticky toffee pudding - both fantastic. If you're looking for great food and service, give Lantern a try 🙂”
- Google user
“We had a wonderful dinner at The Lantern. We ordered the fish of the day (salmon) and sea bass, both served with purée and vegetables. The fish was fresh, perfectly seasoned and delicious, with light flavours and no heavy sauces. The portions were just right, filling, but still easy to finish. The owner told us that the fish is delivered fresh every day, and you could definitely taste the quality. Both the owner and the staff were very friendly and attentive. We visited around 6:15 pm, so in the beginning it was still fairly quiet, but then more guests started coming in. The location is very central, close to City Hall, which made it a great stop during our city visit. Highly recommended!”
- Google user
“Might be the best restaurant in Belfast. The host/owner was delightful and he spoke with and directed his staff in such a kind way! Very small place so we were lucky that a party before us had cancelled because we just walked in. The food was superbly seasoned and the fresh veggies were cooked to the perfect tenderness- just shy of crisp. The sticky toffee pudding dessert was the ideal way to end the meal. So delicious from start to finish!”
- Google user
“Absolutely brilliant food, excellent quality ingredients and cooked to perfection. Service was top class with warm & friendly staff who genuinely cared that the food and atmosphere was enjoyed. Couldn't recommend more”
- Google user
“Ate here for my birthday. It doesnt look like much from the outside but cant recommend enough. Food was amazing 10/10. Staff were friendly and helpful. Price point is fair The portions are great.”
Location
Restaurants near The Lantern Restaurant
- EDO Restaurant4.61,1950 mi£30–70Reservations
ham croquettes, paella, beef cheek
- Yügo4.69860.1 mi£30–70Reservations
crispy pork dumplings, spicy brussels sprouts, salmon with white radish
- Queen's Café Bar4.35010.2 miReservations
seafood chowder, pie and mash, brie and bacon
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lantern Restaurant | 4.71,226 | — | — | sticky toffee pudding, pork belly, fresh fish dishes |
| EDO RestaurantReservations | 4.61,195 | 0 mi | £30–70 | ham croquettes, paella, beef cheek |
| YügoReservations | 4.6986 | 0.1 mi | £30–70 | crispy pork dumplings, spicy brussels sprouts, salmon with white radish |
| Queen's Café BarReservations | 4.3501 | 0.2 mi | — | seafood chowder, pie and mash, brie and bacon |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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