We had a quick visit to Belfast the other weekend and found ourselves at a bit of a loose end, having completed all our errands much quicker than planned. So what did we do? Exactly what we always do — find somewhere for a last-minute dinner.
A quick scan on OpenTable later, and we landed a table at mrDeanes on Howard Street in the city centre.
mrDeanes is one of the restaurants owned by Michael Deane, one of Belfast’s best-known chefs, and a previous holder of a Michelin Star for his restaurant Deanes (which has unfortunately now closed). I’d always meant for us to visit and missed the chance, so visiting mrDeanes felt like we hadn’t missed out after all.
The Restaurant
From the outside, mrDeanes looks smaller than it actually is. Inside, there are a number of different areas to be seated. On arrival, we were greeted at the reception desk and shown to our table in a side room just off the main, light and airy restaurant.
Towards the back, there’s a darker bar area which looked perfect for a late-night drink. The whole place has a relaxed, modern bistro vibe — stylish without trying too hard.
It feels like the sort of place that works for everything — a date night, a catch-up, a group dinner, or a “we deserve this” kind of meal — and on a Saturday night it absolutely delivers that lively, feel-good energy that Belfast does so well.
As is our way, we started the evening with a little aperitif. We went for the spiced mezcal margarita and the Irish Old Fashioned — the perfect way to settle in while we debated what to order from a very tempting menu.
What We Ate
To start, we ordered the Thai king prawn salad with chilli and lime dressing — fresh, zippy, and exactly the kind of dish that makes you feel like you’re being healthy (even though you’re seconds away from ordering fried brie…). Our other starter was the restaurant’s signature Portavogie crab with mayonnaise on toasted focaccia. It was sweet, delicate, and the kind of dish that makes you go quiet for a moment because your mouth is too busy being impressed. We did share… just.
We also “just grabbed a snack” (famous last words): brie fritters with truffle honey. Crispy, gooey, indulgent, with just the right amount of truffle — if you’re going to mrDeanes and you don’t order these… I have questions.
For mains, we both chose the entrecôte au poivre — because sometimes the obvious choice is the correct choice. Steak cooked beautifully with a tasty peppercorn sauce, which left a tingle on your tongue from the pepper. Comforting, indulgent, and exactly what you want from a casual saturday night dinner.
A Little Sweet Treat
We said we were full. We lied.
We shared the vanilla and pineapple crème brûlée with coconut cookie, which was light, a bit tropical, and the perfect “just one more thing” finale. That crack through the brûlée top? Always a win. Just that perfect ‘little something sweet’ to finish the meal.
And because I’m me, I paired it with a coco margarita shot — which felt both wildly unnecessary and completely essential at the same time.
No regrets. Only happiness.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a Belfast restaurant that feels like a treat but still has that fun, social energy — mrDeanes is a yes. It’s central, it’s lively, and it’s a great place to kick off your Saturday night.. or end it if you have been out all day.
Order the brie fritters. Get the steak. Share dessert. And if you’re feeling playful… finish with a shot.