Ryan’s Bar and Restaurant is situated a little ways up the Lisburn road, opposite Cuckoo and a few take-aways. It’s in the student area of the Lisburn road and as such treads that fine line of catering for cost conscious students and families alike. When we first walked in it wasn’t immediately evident where the restaurant was, but a wee wander around the bar area and I saw a sign for the restaurant upstairs. After a few minutes wait while they prepped a table, we were shown to a nice corner table beside a brightly lit window. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated, with comfy leather backed seats and wooden tables, the walls are exposed brick with weird and wonderful art on them. All in all these are pleasant, homely surroundings, and still nice enough to take your mum!
The staff were really helpful and efficient; our server ran us through the specials and the current deals that they currently have on, asked if we had any questions and took our drink and food orders at the right times. I had a (local) Fulcrum Beer and some wings to start with. The wings came presented beautifully in a big bowl with blue cheese sauce and some dramatic looking celery sticks. They were truly excellent, crispy, juicy and dripping with a buffalo sauce that looked (and tasted) home-made. I would put them on a par with the Hudson’s wings, which I rate as the best in Belfast. It seems there could be contender for the coveted crown that is – PastieBap’s Best Belfast Wings*!
Our main course came in the form of smoked chicken with peppers and onions in a white wine and leek sauce served with Boxty. Boxty seems to be like a crepe made out of potato, it’s popping up everywhere and, if this is anything to go by, for very good reason. The boxty was light and well-seasoned, the chicken had a great smoky flavour that worked well with an almost chowder like white wine sauce. I have to say that this isn’t what I would typically go for in a restaurant, but I was glad I did as it really was delicious. I had a side of corn from the grill too which was sweet and tender with a nice taste from the way it was cooked.
Worth noting is that Ryan’s are doing a £10 deal for a main and starter that’s really great value for money. It seems to include about 90% of their menu too, not limited like a lot of these deals can be.
Ryan’s is perhaps an unassuming place that is well situated and has a lot to offer. The emphasis seems to be on excellent food and great staff. The fact that there’s a range of local beers on sale there is an added bonus too. My number one recommendation would be the wings which I’ll definitely be back for again.
*This is not a real thing
