The rise of al fresco: How outdoor dining is transforming Belfast's food scene
"Perhaps the pandemic forced us outside again in the fresh air, which isn’t a bad thing"
By Sophie McLaughlin • 09:48, 17 Jul 2022
Rain, sleet or sun, no weather is a match for a Belfast night out and by now, we all know to expect the unexpected when it comes to the forecast. Despite our temperamental weather, more and more al fresco dining opinions are popping up across the city and beyond.
When outdoor dining became a requirement for a meal out during the pandemic, our hospitality industry got creative to give the people what they wanted in a safe and enjoyable fashion. And despite these restrictions being a thing of the past, this open and casual way of eating out has lived on in Belfast.
John Lavery is the owner of Fish City in the heart of the city centre. The award-winning, sustainable fish and chip restaurant sources produce from local farms and fisheries and John believes his location on Ann Street lends itself greatly to an al fresco terrace.
He said: “Our Terrace is surrounded by seasonal plants, right now begonias and cabbage palms, so it feels a bit like sitting in a garden surrounded by flowers and greenery. It is sheltered by an awning, and we have patio heaters for cooler evenings.
“Ann Street is pedestrianised and safe from vehicle traffic, so it’s very lively in the day with shops open and buskers performing, and in the evenings many of our neighbouring pubs and nightclubs expand their terraces out into the street."
He continued: “We treat our Terrace as every other dining room in the restaurant, so our waitstaff seat and serve those sitting outside the same as they would anyone dining indoors. On a nice day, it really is a treat to sit outside and be wined and dined, whether that’s over a platter of fresh Carlingford oysters and a pint of Guinness or a classic fish and chips and a crisp glass of Picpoul."
John believes the combination of their passion for their food, large outdoor space and providing a “memorable experience" is why customers keep coming back for more - regardless of our NI weather.
He continued: “We established our Terrace dining room in 2019 and we expanded over the last two years, taking note during the pandemic for the growing demand from the public for outdoor dining and responding to government directives.
“People are feeling a lot more comfortable dining indoors again, which we welcome, and there is still a strong appetite for an al fresco experience. Perhaps the pandemic forced us outside again in the fresh air, which isn’t a bad thing!
“We love that there are so many more choices for al fresco dining in the city."
Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster praised the hospitality industry for their ability to adapt during a hard period and welcome alfresco dining's growing popularity.
He said: “Due to the limitations set on hospitality when we reopened from the series of lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, businesses had to pivot and look to how they could make their premises viable to trade. For many, outdoor dining became an obvious choice which has only enhanced the hospitality offer further.
“We are seeing more and more customers looking for the alfresco option when they come out to socialise and dine, especially when we do get good weather. As the infrastructure in our cities and towns adapts to allow more businesses the opportunity to offer outdoor options, we hope that more customers return to their local hospitality scene and avail of the excellent pubs, restaurants, coffee shops and hotels offering al fresco."
Mourne Seafood Bar in Bank Square has always been a popular spot in the city for a meal. Owner Bob McCoubrey opened 'The Shack', a casual outdoor dining space specialising in street food to their offering during the pandemic, a whole new customer base was born.
Bob said: “The Shack was created in response to Covid and the lockdown - we never had an outside area but when the pandemic hit in 2020, it was the only option. It was probably one of the only positives to come from Covid that we were able to open this space.
“It's been trading really well. The menu is aimed at a younger audience than the Mourne Seafood Bar itself - it's a more casual type of menu and hopefully, with the start of the good weather more people will come to the city."
Bob explained how he has noticed a shift in customer patterns since the pandemic and that a number of people still wish to eat outdoors for their personal comfort while others simply see to enjoy the relaxed casual atmosphere of al fresco dining.
“There are still people out there who prefer to eat outside rather than come inside of all age groups and we have found when there is the option for both, they will pick The Shack. I think it is more relaxing and informal and for some people, they still aren't comfortable inside so they definitely enjoy it more.
“It's also that feeling of being on holidays when you haven't left the country," he added.
“You can have a pint of Guinness and half a dozen oysters enjoying the music on Friday nights and most nights of the week next door in Kelly's, they have traditional music so people almost feel like they've gone to Donegal without even leaving Belfast."
He believes that the success of the growing outdoor dining scene is that both the people of Belfast and the landscape of the city lends itself to this style of eating out, regardless of the weather.
“The fact that Belfast is so small and is quite a compact city - you can walk round from venue to venue," he said. “The friendliness of the people is also a big factor, especially towards visitors. We haven't become like other places that have become tired of tourists.
“In Belfast, we are so proud to show off our city and we enjoy meeting people and trying to help them and I think that is what makes the city great."