Ox in Belfast

Dining at OX was a sublime experience that beautifully married the sophistication of fine dining with the warmth of impeccable service. The menu, a canvas of culinary innovation, presented dishes that were both a visual and gastronomic delight. The ambiance of OX, combining elegance with a welcoming vibe, set the stage for a truly romantic meal. The staff’s attentiveness and genuine warmth added to the magic of the evening, making every moment feel special. For those seeking a romantic fine dining experience in Belfast, OX is a gem where the fine art of cuisine and the joy of hospitality converge to create an unforgettable evening.

I went with my family, and this is my best restaurant experience ever. Great food and great staff! I can highly recommend Ox.

This was by far one of the best dining experiences we have ever had. As a vegetarian, I can feel like a second class citizen in some restaurants, but not here. Service 10/10 Food 10/10 Atmosphere 10/10 We booked for 21.30 as we had late appointments but they contacted us at 21.00 to say our table was ready if we wished to have it. We were thrilled!!! An outstanding experience. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

Our experience at OX was nothing short of perfection from start to finish. This was a birthday treat for my husband whilst visiting Belfast for the weekend and I am so grateful that I discovered here and booked in advance. The service was impeccable, the food was absolutely phenomenal. I can’t describe really just how much we enjoyed our visit and just wish that we lived closer. By far, the best meal and experience that we’ve ever had and it will take A LOT to top it. Thank you for making my husband’s birthday so special, truly grateful and will always be memorable!

Stepping inside from a wet evening in Belfast & being greeted by a 21st century Coco Chanel dressed head to toe in black with a sulking nonchalant attitude, we are lead to a perfect table by the window. The appetisers are divine- cheddar filled light as air pastries, beetroot & foie gras, plus the seaweed/dulse crackers, perfectly crisp & bursting with flavours, decorated with a mussel- reminiscent of a walk along a County Down beach. The following courses did not disappoint- from the mushroom & truffle soup, venison tartare, halibut with butternut squash pearls to the Chateaubriand. Not a fan of steak- too boring, but not here- Chateaubriand is meltingly gorgeous perfection. Wine pairings are always exciting, but the non-alcoholic pairings even more -so much flavour & imagination. I’m always wary to go back to OX as I think it’ll never be as good as the last time, but each experience brings its own delight- truly a culinary adventure each time.

Came to the Ox for a family celebration, amazing. Staff could not have been nicer, helpful or friendlier. The food was exceptional! I would travel to Belfast purely to eat here again.

I had an amazing experience here, staff were lovely and the food was incredible. Me and my family had a great time, would definitely go again

Superb, expensive but worth every penny.we we just had set lunch and totally loved ut. Plan to go back in the evening for tasting menu. Coupled with great service, we would highly recommend.

On this occasion experience was ruined by member of serving staff with a severe problem with personal hygiene. Not what you would expect from Michelin starred restaurant at cost of £255 for two for 3 course lunch. Left private review on Dishcult and got phonecall from one of owners who said they knew who I was referring to but I am still waiting for small token promised for next visit. Had initiallyclaimed they did not have the Dishcult review and then cancelled my booking on 9 December for the meal we had on 7 December so I couldn’t submit another review ! Terrible for a number of reasons.

Clearly aiming for a high standard and achieving it. This place has a reputation to meet due to its Michelin star and it didn’t disappoint. Really well thought out courses and there was no part of the tasting menu that felt out it place or that didn’t work. Amazing. Wine pairings were nice but was a bit disappointed that there was only one red. Three whites in a row can be heavy enough. Felt like the meal could have taken another course and one more pairing to make it complete. Juan and James took great care of us and went above and beyond. Will defo return.

Absolutely amazing experience - fantastic, friendly staff who were so nice, helpful and attentive but unobtrusive. The tasting menu was sublime, delicious and fresh and innovative food all made with local ingredients. Highlights are hard to define but the venison tartare, duck and the apple desert were so good, but so was every course… and add the cheese on it was tasty as! Cannot fault anything at all. Aye, this place is a true winner wow! The wine pairings were perfect. I’d in Belfast you must come here!! Will be back for sure.

We visited Ox after reading previous reviews. The staff are very welcoming. We had a table next to the window which was very cosy. The tasting menu consisted of several courses. hors d'oeuvres are amazing my favourite was a beetroot & Foie Gras Tartlet. I could have eaten a wheel barrow full. Starters included Wicklow Venison, Scallops & Game consommé all served beautifully. Main course of Duck with pumpkin, juniper & salsify. Desserts of spiced plum, apple treacle, fig leaf ice cream. The staff looked after us extremely well and explained all of the different dishes very clearly. Based on the quality of the food, the service and the overall experience the cost is also good value for money. Extremely impressed and will definitely revisit when back in Belfast.

We arrived slightly early before service started, so went to their wine bar next door and ordered a bottle which was expertly explained to us and we were informed that when our table was ready it and our glasses would be brought through for us. Only a few moments later we were invited to go through to the restaurant. Both this and the bar have low lighting and a great industrial decor retaining some features of their previous business purposes, really nice. All staff were fantastic, friendly and clearly knowledgable about the food on offer, we asked some questions as to where certain ingredients were from, all seasonal and all from Ireland. Our Sommelier suggested a delicious red wine to go with our main course. Spot on. Absolutely delicious from start to finish.. Ambience, staff & food were top notch .. Shout out to Matthew & Seamus for looking after us .. Would we return? You bet we would .. Highly recommend.

We had an amazing meal from start to finish. On arrival, we were greeted warmly and provided with a run-through of the (and our first!) tasting menu experience at Ox. Each course just blended into the next seamlessly with both the fantastic food and service. The Wicklow Venison Tartare with Fermented Kohlrabi & Black Garlic was a personal highlight. Needless to say, we were blown away by each course. Ox shows how to use great Irish produce and use it right. Furthermore, the front of house team couldn't have made us feel more welcome or looked after. They were just fabulous. We can't wait for our next visit.

It was ok but nothing amazing. The staff apart from the lady who seated is were cold and snappy. The food was good but there are better restaurants to eat in.

Amazing food, staff and ambience first class especially our host Nick. We have eaten in Michelin restaurants in several countries and I think the Ox deserves another star. When we’re next visiting Belfast we will certainly be going back. Thank you Nick and all the team for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Fabulous meal one of the best restaurants in town, though I felt too expensive for me so unlikely to become a regular lunch came to 3100 per head.

Absolutely fab...have eaten here often...but today absolutely surpassed themselves..Stunning food..salt aged beef & halibut superb...service so good..staff are exceptional...

Great restaurant in Central Belfast beside Laganside courts. Excellent service and good service and sommelier Nick and the staff and maitre'd who looked after us whilst there. Michelin Star quality food and extensive wine list, if I happen to win the lottery, maybe next time there and reserving table 8, I might order a few bottles of Chateau Palmer. The tasting menu was recommended and was well worth the experience, from starters to dessert with champagne and a lovely bottle of white sincere for the mains. If visiting Belfast for an a la carte Michelin star treat, then this should be on your itinerary, a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon before making a show at the Waterfront or going to an opera. Thanks for a wonderful afternoon. If you still have time for another bottle of good wine, then head into their wine bar in Cave, along with maybe a few small courses! Great staff, great food and very knowledgeable of their produce.

I've eaten my fair share of Michelin star tasting menus and OX is right up there with the best of them. Quality of ingredients, visual presentation and service were all top notch. The scallop & chorizo especially blew my socks off this time. OX is always the highlight of a trip to Belfast for me, and I look forward to going back.

Both my wife and I agreed that this was a thoroughly brilliant experience in fine dinning. I had the tasting menu with matching wines. My wife, a vegetarian, had pretty much the same menu, but with the fish/meat replaced by veg. The meal from the first bite to the last was excellent. The food creations and presentations hit the spot every time. The service staff and their knowledge of both the food and the wine was most impressive and they could not do enough for you. They also came across as really enjoying their work and imparting their knowledge to the customers. Looking about the restaurant I could see that other customers were also impressed with the overall experience. It is also worth noting that the tables are well spaced apart enabling a level of privacy in what was a fully packed dinning room. As I believe that OX already has a Michelin Star, I really wonder what a "2 Star" experience must be like! Overall, this was a great night and yes, you'll pay, but what an experience.

The simplicity of the space is there to support the beautifully presented food. The service is excellent, the wine very good and the summer tasting menu delivered above our expectations. Highly recommended if you want to taste some amazing food, have a day out or just celebrate a special day.

This restaurant is incredibly minimal, sober but super elegant. Great service. Really excellent ingredients and combinations. Wonderful tasting experience!!

This is a 1 star Michelin rated restaurant that was better than the 2 stars we ate at in Dublin. Staff are friendly, engaging, and love discussing the food and wine and the pairing. We did the discovery wine pairing, and each course was an explosion of flavors. The creativity was incredible, well-done chef and staff! Don't miss this restaurant.

This food was fantastic and the staff excellent We had the tasting menu whih was fantastic and the staff were reall helpful

We got vouchers and decided to try, so we went for the lunch tasting menu. I must say I was very disappointed. Although beautifully presented, it just wasn't for me or my husband, who normally loves every type of food. It was luke warm if even that and although we ate it we wouldn't be rushing back. What I will say is the staff were so lovely very knowledgeable with what wine to pair with each course and I do give them 5*.

From the innovative menus and superb flavours to the attentive but not intrusive service, Ox provides a dining experience that you would expect for the price. Unfortunately even the very best restaurants still appear to struggle with irritating wobbly tables! Oh for a few beer...

Had the taster menu at lunchtime. Wonderful experience, and if you are looking for a bit of indulgence and fine dining, I definitely recommend!

This is the most incredible talent and creativeness,Stephen Toman and his team. I am so proud to count him and co-owner Alain Kerloc'h as dear and rspected friends as I have been going since they opened in March 2013, 10yrs of the most amazing food...

Have been a regular here since they opened 10 years ago but never wrote a review. After a family gathering with GF & diabetic members I cannot thank the team here enough for their presentation and service, the outstanding food and the friendliness to our...

Came for dinner. The restaurant is quite small and lively. We were welcomed by a very friendly host. Had the surprise tasting menu. Some of the best food I've had in a long time. The service and atmosphere made this a memorable experience. Would highly...

Belfast’s best Michelin star restaurant. Exciting dishes, wonderful flavours, and knowledgeable and attentive staff.

Absolutely amazing food with top notch service and attention to detail. The tasting menu was very clever with eat course delivering such great flavours. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable couldn’t have had a better experience.

Really enjoyable experience. Great food and wine, friendly and attentive staff who were knowledgeable about the food and drink they were serving. No wait for service. Nice atmosphere, not too loud or crowded. Would definitely return.

I recently dined in OX for the first time as a special treat for my birthday. Myself and my boyfriend had the 3 course lunch menu for £45 each course looked and tasted amazing Also recommend the pomme purée. They also brought over a little...

A big thanks to Alain and his team for making my wife’s birthday a very special evening .All eight of us enjoyed every bite with exceptional service as usual. I would vote Ox as the number one restaurant in Belfast for a tasting menu.

Don’t waste your money. Start to finish was extremely disappointing. Table not ready on time, ordered a cocktail next door while we waited. Bartender forgot to dress one of the cocktails but came over to our table with an orange slice ( luckily not in...

Our visit to OX was rather disappointing. When we arrived at the restaurant, we had high hopes for a wonderful evening. Unfortunately, our experience was not what we had anticipated. The hostess greeted us in an accusatory tone, stating that we were over an hour...

Very disappointing experience. Tiny food and wine portions. As a couple we paid £328 for the spring tasting menu, the discovery wine pairing & service charge and we were still hungry leaving the restaurant. After the main course I informed the waitress for our disappointment...

Second time here, this time for lunch. Great value experience for the quality. Exceptional food, service etc. This restaurant certainly deserves its place as best in Belfast and beyond. Just sorry I didnt get time to have dinner this visit.

Normally I don’t leave reviews however, Ox Belfast was great! Mainly our waiter Aaron, very knowledgeable, very friendly and we will absolutely be back!!!

The food and wine pairing was absolutely fabulous and the staff were attentive and courteous without being pushy however the tasting menu I had booked online was apparently not available and was replaced with a more expensive menu so as good as it was I...

Although the food was delicious, especially the halibut. The portion sizes were tiny! See my photo of the cote de bœuf, a tiny sliver of steak. We left still hungry and went to a bar for a burger after. The price is just ridiculous. £323...

Absolutely delicious food, great service, the flavours just kept on getting better. We had a Christmas voucher gift to contribute to our bill which made this more affordable. We’ll definitely be asking for more vouchers next year. £156 for two including a lovely bottle of...

Incredible food, with some of the best food/wine pairings I’ve had — I really enjoyed the way they enhanced each dish. Great service and pretty, minimalist atmosphere. Definitely will return next time I’m in town!

My friend bought me vouchers to eat dinner at this restaurant. I hadn't been here for almost 10 years. The first time I went in 2014 I was underwhelmed and this time was no different. We had the tasting menu which was way overpriced for...

We dined at a variety of Michelin-star restaurants on our trip throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland and Ox was near the top of our list. We arrived a few minutes early for our reservation and decided to have a drink in the lounge. The vibe...

Yes the restaurant is not cheap , yes the sommelier up sells from the reviews but you know that before you sit down you can choose not to go or not have any extras. Saying that we arrived and indulged . The tasting menu is...

Best meal we have ever had. The food was outstanding, service to match and great wines. We had the winter tasting menu and each course was 10/10. Fantastic restaurant and highly recommend.

Absolutely wonderful food served in a relaxed but elegant space, with friendly and attentive service which made us adults and our young teenage children feel equally welcome. The tasting menu was a real treat, and great value for the quality of cooking and service on...

Finally getting around to writing a review of the excellent Ox. Before our visit (06.08.22) there was more than a little trepidation given some of the reviews we had read. Suffice to say any concerns we had were totally unfounded. All dishes were a symphony...

food was good, but nothing "WOW" we'd expect from a Michelin rated restaurant. service was super friendly and very knowledgeable of the menu in the other hand.

Tonight I was told I was being taken to OX for a tasting menu. Oh my word! Exquisite, delicious, exciting, welcoming, & just thoroughly good! I’m a real foodie so I adore trying anything new. This little gem was so on point! The staff were...

Wonderful food, in a lovely venue , beautifully designed and lit. Food was exquisite, delicious flavours. Service was fantastic.

Some lovely food with well paired wines but spoiled by small portions of both. Finished the meal still hungry. We have been before and on this occasion service was poor. Too fast at the start then they seemed to forget about us for half an...

Whenever I go away I like to plan a couple extravagant meals so whilst in Belfast I decided to try OX. It did not disappoint. My excursion finished earlier than expected so I called to see if I could get an earlier table. They explains...

We booked for the autumn tasting menu and opted for the wine pairing. Delicious, adventurous courses with excellent service with a beautiful view of Belfast's river Lagan. The wine pairing in particular was sensational, without a misstep throughout the evening.

i so wanted to give it 5 stars and have a great special night, ......but alas nowhere near there is no menu, you just east what they have on their surprise 7 course menu menu. which must be great for the restaurant and make it...

The food was very nice, but was nothing special and probably not worth the price paid unfortunately. Have eaten in quite a few Michelin star restaurants, this one just lacked any real passion in the food.

We called the day before for a relatively large number of people and called the morning of the reservation to add more. While they couldn't accommodate us in their main dining room, they were very helpful and suggested that we could have the same tasting...

Having wanted to visit OX for years, we enjoyed a fantastic Friday night savouring the tasting menu and matched wines. Every course was a delight; imaginative, delicious, and with an array of flavours and techniques. The matching wines featured some very unusual styles and grapes;...

Had a wonderful Saturday evening here. The food was exceptional, the staff were really attentive without being overbearing. One of us had the wine pairings with the meal and they were excellently chosen to befit the courses and very well explained to us as they...

Food is good but they messed up one of my courses and gave me a vegetarian option when I wasn’t and then obviously mistimed our courses. The pairing wine is expensive and they give you very little and I wouldn’t recommend it. It is expensive...

The food was subtle and the evening was a really lovely experience. I don’t like giving bad reviews as local produce cooked to a high standard is to be applauded but the upselling of wine and additional drinks was aggressive and fraudulent.The waiter first tried...

We had the tasting menu at Saturday lunch time. Hadn't been here since before Covid and was happy to see the same high standards in food and service still applied. I see a lot of reviews of Ox recently that seem to include 'I have...

I was a little apprehensive as I'm not the most adventurous of diners but I needn't have worried. Food was delicious with beautiful presentation. Staff are very attentive without being intrusive. The others all had the wine pairing which again they thought was excellent. We...

After having visited Belfast's other Michelin starred restaurant, my daughter and I were excited to try Ox to celebrate the successful completion of her studies. What a disappointment. The first few courses of the tasting menu were microscopic and mediocre in quality. We were then...

we are quite use to work in high end restaurant, we just felt that the menu was overpriced and the quality not there. wine pairing was very safe and not quite accurate with the food. food ok but not to what Michelin got us used...

Firstly I have been looking to get back here after COVID for a while so finally made the trip and was so excited but left feeling decidedly underwhelmed. The service also appears to have been hit with the post COVID staffing issues. I dont expect...

We had the 6 course tasting menu but rather than wine pairing, we chose our own wine. The food is good, but in common with many upmarket restaurants post-Covid, the wine is very heavily marked up. Having never been, we’re glad to have visited, but...

I don't know if the pandemic has meant staff have left and therefore service is a bit untrained or what has happened, but I was sadly disappointed on returning to OX (until now, my favourite restaurant). The food has always been good, but the stand-out...

Did the taster menu with wine pairing. Absolutely one of the best restaurants we have had the pleasure of dining at. Superb.

Came to the restaurant for the 3 course lunch menu. Nice food but 100% not Michelin quality. I’ve been to multiple Michelin restaurants across Europe and the UK and was very disappointed. My biggest critique is, it was not flavoursome or creative. Expensive for what...

I treated my Mum to the 6 course winter tasting menu as an early Mother’s Day present. The experience was fantastic from start to finish. We arrived early and decided to have a drink in Ox Cave (just next door). The decor was lovely and...

Went there as an early mother's day treat for lunch. We had the 4 course testing menu and paring drinks It was very underwhelming. My daughter explicitly said she didn't like nor want ox tongue and she was still served it. The desert was some...

Food was great and the wine tasting was good and the cheese was good too. Didn’t really understand that the extra cheese/port course and wine paring was extra. Lovely but just so expensive.

The food was delicious with a particular highlight being the scallops. We ordered the six course tasting menu and wine pairing. The service was very attentive and personable. Our only disappointment was the limited wine pairing (4 in total) and measurements were very small for...

I was taken here for a special occasion by my daughter. We have been to tasting menus in top restaurants before and always enjoyed the experience. We were excited to try Ox as we knew it had a Michelin star. Unfortunately, the meal was very...

Birthday treat at Ox. We’d been before so knew what to expect and we weren’t disappointed. We opted for the wine accompaniment and learned a lot from the sommelier’s descriptions. Food was amazing and none of it disappointed. Can’t wait to go back again.

I have eaten here a few times. The food and service are exceptional. The chefs create memorable dishes/food combinations, the sommelier selects great wines for the tasting menu and the staff are knowledgeable, professional and personable. But you get all of this in a very...

I’ve heard so many good things about the OX and I have been waiting quite a while due to covid to finally try here. Service was good but drinks were very slow, the food was good but it wasn’t exceptional, it was hit and miss...

As lunches go this was basically perfect. Perhaps luckily we had Nick to guide us this afternoon. But ultimately it’s about, for me, flavour, originality, value and welcome. Ox surpasses on all fronts. If the definition of 3 stars is “worth a special journey”, and...

Incredible experience, the service made our evening! The staff were so genuinely interested, knowledgeable, and friendly. We enjoyed every course of our blind taster menu; every mouthful was perfect, the wine pairings were fantastic, and the cocktails delicious! Thank you for such a fab evening!

Where do I start..service was impeccable, the food was exquisite. Wine pairing was amazing, complimenting each course perfectly!The scallop, arbois and oyster mushroom was the best plate of food I have ever had. Will be back. Thank you team ox.

Literally from the warm welcome when we walked through the door to leaving was just a fabulous experience. Staff were so well educated. No matter what we asked they knew the answer. Very very professional. Food. Just cannot explain just the range of tastes. Dishes...

I went back to OX for a return visit in 2021 and enjoyed the food and service just as much as the first time. It is rare to eat such good food at such reasonable prices. Yes, the servings are small but this suited the...

Since giving Ox an average review in 2015 I have visited several times for dinner and lunch and the food has always been exceptional. The wines are always very well matched. Last visit was particularly good with excellent service from James and great food from...

Tasting menus as an idea conjure up some intimidating ideas of pretentious ingredients, expensive micro portions and standoffish staff. Ox in Belfast blows all these ideas out of the water. Frome the off the staff are approachable and friendly. The menu includes the high quality...

My friend and I lunched here as part of her birthday celebrations and chose the Tasting Menu. We were shown to a fab table at the window and felt relaxed and pampered throughout the lunch - staff were friendly and attentive without being at all...

Food taken to the level of art. Fine and well balanced for the most part, if a little too subtle and insubstantial at times. Very spartan surroundings certainly suggested to me that I was entering a 'church' in order to worship at the alter of...

It was such a treat. All of the courses were pitch perfect. Our favourite was the goats cheese with olive oil, cassis and liquorice. The staff perfectly walked the line of professionalism, friendliness and informality. We made a couple of requests which they went out...

Truly exceptional experience starting with service to food to a very thoughtful wine pairing offered by their incredible Italian lady sommelier. Had a 3 course lunch with wine pairings and the food was exquisite. Service was superb with two gentlemen in the dining room providing...

We had the tasting menu and it was absolutely fantastic and brilliant value for money at £65. The service was the best we have had in a restaurant and in particular the main waitor at the top part of the restaurant where we sat was...

Seasonal choice of locally sourced (island of Ireland) produce was exceptional. We were a party of three for lunch and all had the tasting menu. What I really like about Ox is the non formal (non starched table cloth etc…) approach. This restaurant is all...

Having looked forward to this meal for the guts of a year, we were not disappointed. From the minute you step in, you are treated with care and attention. Even a minor slip up with service was rectified immediately with minimum fuss, and extra dishes...

Friendly staff. Nice ambiance. Was a meal to celebrate a special birthday and it was just ‘ok’. Perhaps having lived in London and eating out at other Michelin starred restaurants, I expected more. I wouldn’t particularly recommend the restaurant and don’t anticipate returning. It was...

We visited OX on Thursday and had very nice time. The best thing about the restaurant are it’s staff, they were friendly and helpful. We had the 6 course taster menu and they made a substitution on one course with no issue. Everything was well...

On my first visit to the OX, around 3 years ago, every dish hit the spot, the tasting menu was superbly balanced and 1 or 2 dishes were inspired and memorable. Naturally I couldn't wait to make a return journey. On my recent second visit...

Visited Ox this evening. Food was good. At this point I will say that I have visited many restaurants with Michelin stars, including another in Belfast, so I do understand the time limit trying to accommodate more than one sitting. We booked a table for...

Visited here recently with my partner - we were looking forward to a culinary experience and were very disappointed. Having been to other Michelin starred restaurants this one does not cut it for me. The decor is bland and basic and in my view not...