80 Restaurants Prepare For Belfast Restaurant Week

More than 80 restaurants, cafés and gastro-pubs are expected to participate in this year's Belfast Restaurant Week.

The city-wide initiative will see Belfast's eateries deliver food-focused events, special menus and offers to promote and champion the local restaurant scene.

Now in its second year, Belfast Restaurant Week is part of a tourism initiative run by Belfast City Council and Visit Belfast.

It runs from Saturday October 5th until October 12th.

Belfast Restaurant Week’s 'starter' will be an outdoor 'Taste and Dine at City Hall' event on October 5 - 6.

City Hall's grounds will be transformed into a 'mini food city' where visitors will be able to sample local produce. Other events will include food and wine tastings, giveaways, cookery demonstrations and chef cook-offs.

Chairman of Belfast City Council's Development Committee, Councillor Deirdre Hargey, said: "With the vital support from the local hospitality industry, this year's Belfast Restaurant Week promises to offer a bumper programme of great food and a fantastic buzz.

"Belfast boasts an amazing choice of venues for eating out and is home to some of the most talented chefs. Through Belfast Restaurant Week, we want to encourage residents, local businesses and visitors to eat out, try something new and support great Belfast food because there's so much to be proud of and worth shouting about."

Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of Visit Belfast, which is coordinating the marketing and promotion of the event, said: "It's great to see so many of the city's hospitality businesses getting involved in this year's event. There are already a number of exciting one-off events planned with many more still to be added to the schedule so I've no doubt that Belfast Restaurant Week will be even bigger and better than before.

"I would encourage everyone to try to get along to as many participating restaurants as possible as the week will really celebrate the magnificent choice, value and hospitality that Belfast is famous for."

(IT/JP)