With Belfast in full swing to recover from the turbulence of recent years the Cathedral Quarter has much to celebrate.
Businesses are still continuing to choose this art, culture, and heritage hotspot to set up base and we’re delighted to welcome them.
Business Improvement District manager Damien Corr said the number of businesses opening in the area is an encouraging sign of the times.
He added: “The Cathedral Quarter remains a jewel in the City’s Crown. The BID is encouraged entrepreneurs are voting with their feet and choosing Cathedral Quarter as the best location for their new business.
“In addition to the 12 new businesses highlighted here, we are aware of several more in the pipeline. The development of the University on our doorstep is an obvious catalyst and the increased footfall can already be seen and we are on course to see a daily footfall of over 15,000 students and staff to the area when the University is fully open this September. No wonder entrepreneurs are seeing opportunity!”
“I have no doubt that these 12 new businesses are just the beginning of the resurgence of the Cathedral Quarter and I look forward to working with them and the many who will follow.”
1. Common Market
16-20 Dunbar Street, Belfast, BT1 2LH
Open Thursday-Sunday from 12pm, Common Market is a street food market, bar, and events venue all rolled into one – it’s even dog friendly.
For the first time ever, guests are able to feast on all of the best street food Belfast has to offer; including options from Ball & Roll, Moon Gelato Co, Lasa, Hey Chick!, Oui Poutine, Al Pastor, Baps by Freight and Rebel Dough. Additionally, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available from this selection of vendors.
To find out more, go to commonmarketbelfast.com
2. Deerah
107 Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1FF
Bringing the middle east to the Cathedral Quarter, Deerah is one of the only Lebanese cafes in the area.
With a handpicked variety of Lebanese favourites, the menu has a selection of high-quality dishes created with the freshest and finest ingredients available.
Open from 12-9pm Monday-Wednesday, 12-10pm Thursday-Saturday, and 12-7pm on Sundays, staff are described as always being extremely friendly and helpful.
To find out more, go to deerah-belfast.co.uk
3. Neighbourhood Cafe
60 Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2GT
Dubbed “the coolest coffee shop in Belfast”, the Neighbourhood Cafe serves all things brunch.
Open from 7:30am-4pm Monday, Thursday, and Friday, and from 8:30am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday, pop in for a late breakfast, early lunch, or a cup of their specialty coffee.
To find out more, go to neighbourhood.cafe
4. Never Never Clothes Shop
62 Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2GT
Never Never is an independent physical and online clothing store based in the Cathedral Quarter.
With a range of authorised dealers and products to choose from, Never Never sells high-quality clothing and accessories for affordable prices.
Currently, the brands available are Beams+, Liberaiders, Pop Trading Company, Satta, IDEA Ltd, Adsum, By Parra, Real Bad Man, Gimme 5, and much, much more.
To find out more, go to never-never.com
5. The Academy Restaurant
Ulster University, York Street, Belfast, BT15 1ED
As the name suggests, The Academy Restaurant combines learning, culinary talent, and a dine-in experience.
Known as a state-of-the-art educational centre, the restaurant is also a beverage school and provides conference and meeting facilities.
The aim is to nurture the talents of students wishing to enter into the hospitality sector following graduation. As a result, the menu is complete with a range of high-quality food options for affordable prices.
To find out more, go to academyrestaurant.co.uk
6. Cathedral Pizza
24 Donegall St, Belfast, BT1 2GP
Open from 5pm-12am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, 5pm-1am on Thursday, 5pm-2am on Friday, and 5pm-3am on Saturday, satisfy those late night pizza cravings at Cathedral Pizza.
Available for sit-in or delivery, the menu is complete with options for one or for groups of friends. Not to mention the toppings options, where guests are invited to add as many as they would like.
To find out more, go to cathedralquarterpizzeria.co.uk
7. The Quarter by Warren
70-74 Donegall St, Belfast, BT1 2GU
After opening in March 2022, The Quarter by the Warren Collection provides a range of facilities for all guests; including room service, a terrace, a 24-hour front desk, air conditioning, a patio with a garden view, private bathrooms, flat-screen-TVs, and a daily continental breakfast.
Located in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, this hotel proves to be an ideal location for visiting sights near and far.
To find out more, go to warrencollection.com
8. Unique
Ulster University, 25-52 York St, Belfast, BT1 2NR
Unique is a student lead art shop that allows students and graduates of The Belfast Art School to continue to thrive.
As Ulster University continues to foster creativity, guests are invited to view and purchase uniquely handcrafted products; including, but not limited to, paintings, photography, ceramics, sculptures, jewelry, fashion, graphic design pieces, illustration, printmaking, textiles, and fine art.
To find out more, go to belfastschoolofartshop.co.uk
9. Libertine
10-14 Tomb St, Belfast, BT1 3AS
One of the only gay bars in the area, Libertine is the Cathedral Quarter’s newest gay bar, nightclub, and garden.
Split into four areas, live entertainment is guaranteed 7 nights a week alongside themed cocktail menus, drag, and club nights.
Open to everyone, the only requirement is to be ‘dead on’ when you get there!
To find out more, go to libertinebelfast.com
10. The Reporter Bar
Union St, Belfast, BT1 2JF
Inspired by the history of the newspaper industry, The Reporter is a dog-friendly bar that pays homage to Belfast’s printing and publishing heritage.
Open from 4pm-1am Monday-Thursday and 2pm-1am Friday-Sunday. The welcoming atmosphere is complete with decorations of reporters and photographers past and present, artifacts, and memorabilia.
Serving local products, The Report has craft beers and spirits behind the bar; including Beer Hut, Bullhouse and Lacada, Belfast Vodka, Hinch Whiskey, and Ninth Wave Gin.
To find out more, go to facebook.com/TheReporter.Bar
11. Mackles Ice Cream
41 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LG
Having amassed over 36 thousand TikTok followers, this sister-run store has hit the Cathedral Quarter. Tagged as having ‘the best whipped ice cream’, the menu also includes a range of drinks and sweet treats.
Open every day to 10pm to satisfy those late-night cravings.
To find out more, go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100045496552230
12. Waterman House Cookery School
33 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2NG
Moving from their previous James Street South location, Waterman House is the Cathedral Quarter’s newly built and interactive cookery school. Available for a day of cooking, one meal wonders, or even classes on global favourites, such as curry, sushi, and cocktails.
Open 12-2:45 pm and 5:45-10:45 pm Monday-Saturday.
To find out more, go to https://www.waterman.house/pages/cookery-school
Newly built, Waterman House is the Cathedral Quarter’s interactive cookery school.
If you’re a new business in the Cathedral Quarter get in touch with Business Improvement District manager Damien Corr to find out how the CQ BID can benefit your business.
Cathedral Quarter BID Chair Les Hume said he was delighted to see the area being rejuvenated by new business: “The business community have voted with their feet and are investing in our area but they want assurance that at the very least our public realm will be fit for purpose when people return.
“We are committed to working in partnership with business and statutory partners to ensure that streets are safe, clean, and welcoming…these baseline services should be a given.”
Call Damien on 028 9031 4011 or email him at damien.corr@destinationcq.com
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