Make the Most of Your Fleadh Visit with Good Food Ireland® Experiences and The Collection

Where to Stay, Dine and Experience the Best of Belfast

This August, Belfast will welcome more than 800,000 visitors as Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann comes to the city from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August.

Across eight unforgettable days, the city will come alive with more than 200 events, from competitions and concerts to céilís and spontaneous music sessions, creating an atmosphere unlike any other on the island of Ireland.

The celebrations extend far beyond the music. Throughout the week, Belfast’s renowned food and drink scene will be at the heart of the visitor experience, with artisan producers, local cafés, award-winning restaurants and independent businesses ready to welcome fleadh cheoil-goers between performances.

Whether you’re visiting for the day or making a long weekend of it, Good Food Ireland® has selected some of the very best places to stay, dine and experience the city beyond the fleadh.

Stay a While

The best weekends are never rushed.

Choose to stay at the iconic Europa Hotel or elegant Grand Central Hotel in the city centre or relax at the Stormont Hotel or Culloden Estate & Spa overlooking Belfast Lough. Thinking of extending your stay, just 20 minutes outside of Belfast is scenic Crawfordsburn where you could spend a night or two at The Old Inn.

Eat Like a Local

Every city tells its story through its food. Discover sustainably sourced seafood at Fish City, winner of the Good Food Ireland® Supreme Award in 2025. Or try the vibrant flavours of Bengal Brasserie and The Jharna. If Italian is your favourite be sure to check out Fratelli Restaurant, and for more contemporary dining head to Parisien Restaurant. 

For a collective taste of Northern Ireland produce and a take home haul, Indie Füde on the Ormeau Road is well worth a visit, where you can pick up some Irish Black Butter, winner of the Good Food Ireland® Sweet and Savoury Producer of the Year Award in 2025.

Food and Drink on the go at the Fleadh

Visitors can explore the Food & Drink Village beside Belfast Cathedral, open daily throughout the Fleadh, browse St George’s Market, which is extending its opening hours for the festival week, or enjoy the Craic and Craft Market at ICC Belfast/Waterfront Hall. If you fancy a sweet treat be sure to get one from The Mallow Makers or some cordials, soft drinks and mixers to take home from Papas Mineral Company Ltd. Those staying a little longer can also discover the Titanic Quarter Night Market (Thursday 6 and Friday 7 August, 4pm–10pm) and the Titanic Food Festival (Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, 11am–5pm), where great food, live music and family entertainment come together along the Maritime Mile.

Make a Weekend of It with Good Food Ireland Experiences

After browsing the Food & Drink Village, exploring St George’s Market or spending time at the Titanic Food Festival, slow the pace and discover the food and drink experiences we offer in the  Belfast region by booking a Good Food Ireland® Experience. 

• Europa Hotel Afternoon Tea Collection – Sparkling Afternoon Tea and Vegan Afternoon Tea.
• Grand Central Hotel Afternoon Tea Collection – Afternoon Tea, The Observatory, Champagne Afternoon Tea, Sky High Cocktail Afternoon Tea and the Bollinger Experience.
• Stormont Hotel Afternoon Tea – Classic afternoon tea.
• Culloden Estate & Spa Experiences – Afternoon Tea and Spa experiences.
• Belfast Fish, Chips & Irish Craft Beer Experience – A signature Belfast food experience.
• The Old Inn Champagne Afternoon Tea – A memorable finale to your weekend.

Continue Your Journey

If you’ve found yourself wanting more, continue your culinary journey to Ards and North Down and visit two great restaurants, No.14 Georgian House in Comber where memorable food experiences and warm hospitality await, and Underground Dining in Bangor, voted by the public as winner of the Good Food Ireland® Food Lovers Choice Award for Northern Ireland in 2025.

Let the Music Bring You There…

The Fleadh celebrates traditions passed from one generation to the next through music, storytelling and community.

Good Food Ireland® celebrates those same traditions through food.

So while the music may bring you to Belfast this August, let its food, its people and its hospitality inspire you to stay a little longer.

The best way to discover a destination isn’t simply to see it!

Interested in seeing more of Northern Ireland? Check out all the current Good Food Ireland® Experiences for Northern Ireland here