Holohan's At The Barge

A relatively new addition to the Belfast restaurant scene, Holohan's on the Barge opened towards the end of 2013.  Already their reputation has become firmly established as one of the city's best restaurants.  The quirky surroundings, housed in one half of the Belfast Barge (the other half is a small Maritime Museum), moored on the River Lagan just outside the Waterfront Concert Hall, give it an initial draw.  It's very definitely not a 'theme' restaurant though: the on-board the dining area is simply furnished yet warm and welcoming, with bare wood tables, mis-matched chairs and porthole windows providing the nautical charm. Calvin and Curt run the show and are affable hosts, taking the time to chat to guests, share their vision for the restaurant and wax lyrical about the origins of their culinary creations – 'the Holohan boxty recipe has been handed down from generation to generation and is in a league of its own', they say, and they're not exaggerating,: the Irish boxty potato cake really is something special; check out the ham hock, cabbage, parsley and mustard filling). The lunch menu also includes smoked mackerel and wheaten bread along with black pudding, Irish bacon, egg and soda bread.  In the evenings the menu expands to offer a pork tasting board, seafood platter and Dexter Rump.  Tasty, wholesome and traditional food.