How to see the foodie side of Belfast, Northern Ireland

Then prepare to be spoilt for supper choice. There are two Michelin-star restaurants in Belfast: EIPIC on Howard Street, with a focus on local, seasonal produce; and Ox on Oxford Street (dish above), which gives as much love and attention to veg as it does local meat and sustainably sourced fish. A more relaxed, buzzy option is Coppi, an Italian opposite St Anne’s Cathedral specialising in cicchetti.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, check out Co Couture, which makes luxury, small-batch truffles, including its award-winning Irish Whisky Truffle, at its city-centre shop near City Hall.

No visit to Belfast would be complete without experiencing the local pub culture, so spend two-and-a-half hours sampling lagers, ales and the rest on a Princess Cruises guided walking tour.

Finally, rooftop bar The Perch is buzzing, and the perfect place to warm up with a boozy hot chocolate in winter or cool off with a signature cocktail in summer.

As you eat your way through the city, be sure to pause to enjoy the incredible architecture that fills this historical town.

Head to the Cathedral Quarter, one of several “quarters”, each with its own distinct character – it’s all rambling streets and trendy restaurants. While in the neighbourhood, visit the Merchant Hotel, formerly home to the Ulster Bank headquarters. The opulent sandstone building, complete with Corinthian columns and imposing sculptures, is the perfect stop-off for a cocktail. City Hall (above) houses a 53m-high dome, and the Albert Memorial Clock is known as Belfast’s answer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, its own signature tilt thanks to the fact it was built on a reclaimed river bed.

Then arrive at the Saint Malachy’s Catholic Church. Completed in 1844, it was constructed using only handmade bricks. If you have time, the grand Belfast Castle is just four miles outside of the city, nestling in Cavehill Country Park, and the view from the top of the hill is breathtaking.

In Queen’s Quarter, a 45-minute walk from the Cathedral Quarter, the Palm House was one of the first greenhouses to be constructed out of glass and iron. The cool wing is a riot of colour and scent, with geraniums, fuchsias and begonias. Tropical Ravine is bursting with tropical plants and birds. Entry is free.