Often dwarfed by Belfast’s behemoth attractions, like the Titanic Belfast and City Hall, you’ll be pleased to know that the shopping scene in Belfast is actually a pretty big attraction in itself. With hidden boutiques and local delicacies, this little city with a big heart can reward you with a fabulous day’s shopping.
Starting with perhaps the most famous: if you find yourself in Belfast on a Friday or Saturday, march directly down to St George’s Market for locally made clothing, handcrafted jewellery and gourmet food. If the aroma of a freshly cooked Ulster Fry reaches you, do tuck in – it’s definitely worth it and will set you up for the day. The lively music thrumming from the centre of the hall will add an incomparable energy to this historic market.
Appetite sated, head to the Queen’s Arcade, opposite City Hall, and delve into pure luxury at the Good Food & Wine Company, where you can sample some of Ulster’s famous Yellowman toffee or delicious crisp shortbread, baked to perfection by local artisans. More authentic crafts can be found in Spacecraft in the Fountain Centre on College Street – it’s a well-hidden beauty crammed with local crafts, jewellery, clothes and more.
If you’re looking for a more sedate experience, slip out of the city, and down to the cosmopolitan Lisburn Road. Here, you’ll find Please Don’t Tell, an oasis of calm, and one-of-a-kind boutique shopping – it houses incredible bargains on massive designer labels. As you bring your purchases back into the city, detour towards CoCouture, and take your tastebuds on a journey of decadence, as you try some of its gourmet chocolate creations.
As the day comes to a close, visit Rita’s on Franklin Street for a much-deserved drink – styled like a prohibition era saloon, this bar enchants with its sumptuous interior and selection of cocktails.
And as the evening sky darkens, the lively bartenders will capture your imagination with tales of the past, and make you want to stay in Belfast forever.