Poet's Rest Guidebook
Places very near Poet's Rest
Hello and welcome to Belfast. Great food shops, takeaways, eateries & entertainment venues are literally down the street from the flat. Just walk out the front gate, straight across the road and down Eia Street. At the bottom of the street is the Antrim Road where you'll find a Cooperative store, Curley off-sales for alcohol, Post Office, chemist and taxi rank.
A small supermarket that's just a street away on Antrim Road. It's open until about 11pm.
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Co-op Food - Antrim Road
238-240 Antrim RdA small supermarket that's just a street away on Antrim Road. It's open until about 11pm.
A supermarket that has a wide range of food, drink and essentials. It’s about a 10 minute walk countrybound along Antrim Road. There is a good sized shopping trolley provided in the storage cupboard in the accommodation that’ll help with heavy shopping loads. You’re welcome to use it.
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Tesco Superstore
369 Lisburn RdA supermarket that has a wide range of food, drink and essentials. It’s about a 10 minute walk countrybound along Antrim Road. There is a good sized shopping trolley provided in the storage cupboard in the accommodation that’ll help with heavy shopping loads. You’re welcome to use it.
Totally THE best meat and only down the street!
The steaks are to die for and try their racks of lamb and roasts. Their sausages are very tasty too.
Owen McMahon Butchers
3 Atlantic Ave Totally THE best meat and only down the street!
The steaks are to die for and try their racks of lamb and roasts. Their sausages are very tasty too.
Real, traditional Italian ice-cream since the 1880s! And it's just down the street! Get a big tub or cone (we call that a poke) and enjoy! A ‘99’ is a poke with a Cadbury’s flake.
Rossi's
9 Atlantic AveReal, traditional Italian ice-cream since the 1880s! And it's just down the street! Get a big tub or cone (we call that a poke) and enjoy! A ‘99’ is a poke with a Cadbury’s flake.
If you are looking to enjoy our famous Ulster fry, look no further than Cassidy's bar. Great food and a popular local watering hole!
Cassidy's
347 Antrim RdIf you are looking to enjoy our famous Ulster fry, look no further than Cassidy's bar. Great food and a popular local watering hole!
Great fish and chips and other chip shop favourites like pasties and chicken. Fast service for take away and massive portions.
Mannys
290 Antrim RdGreat fish and chips and other chip shop favourites like pasties and chicken. Fast service for take away and massive portions.
Just facing the butchers and ice-cream shop at the bottom of Alworthy Avenue. All you need for breads and cakes! Things to ask for and try are soda bread and potato bread farls and pancakes. These make up the famous Ulster fry with sausages, bacon, eggs, vegetable rolls, black pudding (get these at McMahon's butchers across the road).
Other delights include custard buns/pies, treacle bread, Veda, wheaten bread, apple or rhubarb tart, coconut and iced fingers, Belfast bap or a bigger 'crusty'.
The Old Oven Door
234 Antrim RdJust facing the butchers and ice-cream shop at the bottom of Alworthy Avenue. All you need for breads and cakes! Things to ask for and try are soda bread and potato bread farls and pancakes. These make up the famous Ulster fry with sausages, bacon, eggs, vegetable rolls, black pudding (get these at McMahon's butchers across the road).
Other delights include custard buns/pies, treacle bread, Veda, wheaten bread, apple or rhubarb tart, coconut and iced fingers, Belfast bap or a bigger 'crusty'.
Close to the apartment - about a 7 minute walk away. Music, workshops and talks. Look up the website to see what’s on. Look out for ‘Super Sunday Session’ - usually first Sunday of each month. These are set Sunday mornings of coffee and breakfast while listening to traditional music and poetry. Kids do crafts too.
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The Duncairn
Duncairn AvenueClose to the apartment - about a 7 minute walk away. Music, workshops and talks. Look up the website to see what’s on. Look out for ‘Super Sunday Session’ - usually first Sunday of each month. These are set Sunday mornings of coffee and breakfast while listening to traditional music and poetry. Kids do crafts too.
Wineflair
235 Antrim RoadOff licence for alcoholic drinks to bring home.
If it's takeaway Indian cuisine you fancy, give these guys a call or even walk down as it's only a couple of minutes away.
Their naan bread kebabs are gorgeous, massive and great value for money. You could get a kebab (about £7/8) and share - £3.50 - £4 each! Authentic and fresh.
Night Of Bengal
313 Antrim RdIf it's takeaway Indian cuisine you fancy, give these guys a call or even walk down as it's only a couple of minutes away.
Their naan bread kebabs are gorgeous, massive and great value for money. You could get a kebab (about £7/8) and share - £3.50 - £4 each! Authentic and fresh.
This is a pleasant 15 minute walk along Cliftonville Road and a very popular place
with locals. Can also be accessed via the Waterworks.
The Burger Club
This is a pleasant 15 minute walk along Cliftonville Road and a very popular place
with locals. Can also be accessed via the Waterworks.
Just across the road from the apartment. Great traditional pub packed with locals. Great Ulster Fry in the mornings until early afternoon. About 5 minute's walk away so good as a local during your stay.
Cassidy's
347 Antrim RdJust across the road from the apartment. Great traditional pub packed with locals. Great Ulster Fry in the mornings until early afternoon. About 5 minute's walk away so good as a local during your stay.
Really good pizza, just a few minute’s walk from the flat. On Antrim Road, facing Waterworks Park.
Pizza Guyz
Really good pizza, just a few minute’s walk from the flat. On Antrim Road, facing Waterworks Park.
Gringos
Near and handy to the flat. Good for when only a burrito will do!
Park Run. Don't want to miss that all-important Park Run at the weekend? No problem. Head down Brookhill Avenue toward the Waterworks Park and join the weekly event at 9.30am on Saturdays.
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Waterworks
Park Run. Don't want to miss that all-important Park Run at the weekend? No problem. Head down Brookhill Avenue toward the Waterworks Park and join the weekly event at 9.30am on Saturdays.
All the pruning and preening you’ll need. Great special offers. Just facing the Waterworks on Antrim arias
Geraldine McGuigan Beauty Salon
325 Antrim RdAll the pruning and preening you’ll need. Great special offers. Just facing the Waterworks on Antrim arias
ATM - 24hr
Foreign Currency
Travel Insurance
Travel Money Card
MoneyGram®
Western Union
Duncairn St Post Office
ATM - 24hr
Foreign Currency
Travel Insurance
Travel Money Card
MoneyGram®
Western Union
Good food, cosy pub. Just walk up Cavehill Road via the Waterworks or Antrim Road and it's on your left past Westland Road, nearly opposite the fire station
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Ben Madigans Bar & Kitchen
169-175 Cavehill RdGood food, cosy pub. Just walk up Cavehill Road via the Waterworks or Antrim Road and it's on your left past Westland Road, nearly opposite the fire station
All things 'as gaelige' (Irish) with the culture vultures at Aras Mhic Reachtain. Grab a coffee and breathe in some 'rad trad' music that's often playing. A great cultural centre that teaches Irish. The centre is on the Antrim Road, facing the Waterworks park. Have a look at the mural on the gable wall too.
Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain
All things 'as gaelige' (Irish) with the culture vultures at Aras Mhic Reachtain. Grab a coffee and breathe in some 'rad trad' music that's often playing. A great cultural centre that teaches Irish. The centre is on the Antrim Road, facing the Waterworks park. Have a look at the mural on the gable wall too.
Within walking distance from Poet’s Rest
Fancy a swim, yoga, Pilates or gym session? Want to try another place for shopping? Want to take the kids or dog to the park? Or would you like to relax and get pampered? Here's some local places.
Swimming pool, steam room, sauna and fitness classes. Outside is the Grove Park, where there's a dog park and children's play park
Grove Wellbeing Centre
120 York RdSwimming pool, steam room, sauna and fitness classes. Outside is the Grove Park, where there's a dog park and children's play park
On a row of shops along Antrim Road called ‘Fortwilliam shops’. Lovely produce. Does great New York strip steaks. Tasty sausages.
Stanleys Family Butchers
On a row of shops along Antrim Road called ‘Fortwilliam shops’. Lovely produce. Does great New York strip steaks. Tasty sausages.
Traditional fruit and vegetable shop at Fortwilliam shops. A 15 minute walk from the flat. Next door to Stanley’s Butchers. Have a bite to eat at Yellow Fin Kitchen. Lovely food!
Fortwilliam Greengrocers
Traditional fruit and vegetable shop at Fortwilliam shops. A 15 minute walk from the flat. Next door to Stanley’s Butchers. Have a bite to eat at Yellow Fin Kitchen. Lovely food!
A well-known north Belfast pub that has undergone a refit and new management. Just up a little from Fortwilliam shops. Nice beer garden.
The Chester
466 Antrim RdA well-known north Belfast pub that has undergone a refit and new management. Just up a little from Fortwilliam shops. Nice beer garden.
Tell Paul and Helen that Andrea sent you.
Great for mens' and women's haircare and they do the best spray tan in Belfast as far as I'm concerned.
Carlin Hair
251 Cavehill RdTell Paul and Helen that Andrea sent you.
Great for mens' and women's haircare and they do the best spray tan in Belfast as far as I'm concerned.
The kids can feed the swans, geese and ducks, enjoy the kids play park and run about and get tired on a walk of the park. Be careful as this is an open body of water. If you’ve a dog, they’ll be happy getting their exercise - all just a couple of minutes from Poet’s Rest!
Waterworks
The kids can feed the swans, geese and ducks, enjoy the kids play park and run about and get tired on a walk of the park. Be careful as this is an open body of water. If you’ve a dog, they’ll be happy getting their exercise - all just a couple of minutes from Poet’s Rest!
A lovely place to go for a couple of drinks with live band playing many nights of the week. Near to Belfast Castle. A 15 minute walk or take a bus/taxi.
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Lansdowne Court Hotel
657 Antrim RdA lovely place to go for a couple of drinks with live band playing many nights of the week. Near to Belfast Castle. A 15 minute walk or take a bus/taxi.
Coffee shops
Lovely coffee and a mean hot chocolate on chilly days. Take a walk across the Waterworks exit at Cavehill Road. The coffee shop is opposite the Waterworks.
Coffee Essence
Lovely coffee and a mean hot chocolate on chilly days. Take a walk across the Waterworks exit at Cavehill Road. The coffee shop is opposite the Waterworks.
Enjoy a walk along Antrim Road country bound and you’ll find this great place on the way to Belfast Castle and just past Landsdowne Hotel.
Cavehill Coffee
Enjoy a walk along Antrim Road country bound and you’ll find this great place on the way to Belfast Castle and just past Landsdowne Hotel.
Take a stroll through the Waterworks, exiting at the fire station and proceed along Cavehill Road for about 10 minutes. Lovely coffee shop. Cosy.
Works Coffee Roasters
Take a stroll through the Waterworks, exiting at the fire station and proceed along Cavehill Road for about 10 minutes. Lovely coffee shop. Cosy.
Great views of Belfast and gorgeous grounds. The cellar bar at the castle is lovely. Its got the loveliest staff. It’s take about 30 minutes to walk here. Walk up along Antrim Road to just after the Landsdowne Hotel. Look for a brown directional sign on left hand side of the road. It’s then a hill walk up the street into the grounds. Turn right after the gates and walk up the pedestrian path where you’ll see the castle emerge as you walk up (the roadway walk is longer). Walk around the area or take a hike up to McArt’s Fort beforehand for a longer stretch of the legs.
When you’re in the cellar bar, have a look at the interpretive panel detailing the history of the area, including the American bomber crash on the hill during World War 2. The tragedy is the inspiration behind the film ‘Closing The Ring’.
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Schloss Belfast
Antrim RoadGreat views of Belfast and gorgeous grounds. The cellar bar at the castle is lovely. Its got the loveliest staff. It’s take about 30 minutes to walk here. Walk up along Antrim Road to just after the Landsdowne Hotel. Look for a brown directional sign on left hand side of the road. It’s then a hill walk up the street into the grounds. Turn right after the gates and walk up the pedestrian path where you’ll see the castle emerge as you walk up (the roadway walk is longer). Walk around the area or take a hike up to McArt’s Fort beforehand for a longer stretch of the legs.
When you’re in the cellar bar, have a look at the interpretive panel detailing the history of the area, including the American bomber crash on the hill during World War 2. The tragedy is the inspiration behind the film ‘Closing The Ring’.
Mauds ice-cream shop has lovely coffee. Great place for young families. Walk through the Waterworks and on up Cavehill Road. It is on the right hand side near the top.
Chill - ice cream & coffee
Mauds ice-cream shop has lovely coffee. Great place for young families. Walk through the Waterworks and on up Cavehill Road. It is on the right hand side near the top.
Neighbourhoods
Always lively, twinkling lights, cobble streets, murals, beer courtyards, ancient alleyways. Great restaurants and pubs. Just 2 miles from the apartment. It's all happening at Belfast's Cathedral Quarter
Cathedral Quarter
Always lively, twinkling lights, cobble streets, murals, beer courtyards, ancient alleyways. Great restaurants and pubs. Just 2 miles from the apartment. It's all happening at Belfast's Cathedral Quarter
Food scene
Looking for a good meal out, look no further than Bank Square. Beside Maddens bar, it does great seafood. On the pricier side, but well worth it.
Bank Square
Looking for a good meal out, look no further than Bank Square. Beside Maddens bar, it does great seafood. On the pricier side, but well worth it.
Common Market
Common Market is dog friendly.
Get down there early on a Friday for your fish, meat, fruit and vegetables.
Saturdays and Sundays are craft markets and always filled with gorgeous locally made products. Loads of food kiosks and things to see. Royalty can appear too!
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St. George's Market
12 East Bridge StGet down there early on a Friday for your fish, meat, fruit and vegetables.
Saturdays and Sundays are craft markets and always filled with gorgeous locally made products. Loads of food kiosks and things to see. Royalty can appear too!
Lovely homemade food. Small portions of lovely stuff that you mix and match. Book in advance - preferably before you travel. Medium price range.
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Coppi Restaurant
11 Edward StLovely homemade food. Small portions of lovely stuff that you mix and match. Book in advance - preferably before you travel. Medium price range.
Very posh and a little pricey. Book lots of weeks in advance. Down a very old alleyway in the Cathedral Quarter.
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The Muddlers Club Restaurant
1 Warehouse LaneVery posh and a little pricey. Book lots of weeks in advance. Down a very old alleyway in the Cathedral Quarter.
Afternoon tea for a special occasion or treat is highly recommended at The Merchant. It’s right in the heart of the bustling Cathedral Quarter
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Cloth Ear
16 Skipper StAfternoon tea for a special occasion or treat is highly recommended at The Merchant. It’s right in the heart of the bustling Cathedral Quarter
Pubs & clubs
We're also close to places to eat and drink in the city centre that are not always featured on Tripadvisor.
Great food, dog friendly, great craic and lots of music. Has the old-style security cages still attached from the days of the Troubles. Showcasing the best in show on the last Sunday of the month, but make sure you get your tickets in good time!
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Sunflower Comedy Club
65 Union StGreat food, dog friendly, great craic and lots of music. Has the old-style security cages still attached from the days of the Troubles. Showcasing the best in show on the last Sunday of the month, but make sure you get your tickets in good time!
Very old pub, Whites Tavern has built a great Guinness tap room. Great spot.
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White's Tavern
2-4 Winecellar EntryVery old pub, Whites Tavern has built a great Guinness tap room. Great spot.
Located at the very bottom of the Falls Road. Good trad music, fiddle-dee-dee most nights. Guinness of course. You have to ring the door bell to get in.
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Maddens Bar
74 Berry StLocated at the very bottom of the Falls Road. Good trad music, fiddle-dee-dee most nights. Guinness of course. You have to ring the door bell to get in.
Good area of the city in the Cathedral Quarter. The original Harp Bar- an old strip club - was used in the 1980s as the city's punk mecca (see Good Vibrations film).
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Harp Bar
35 Hill StGood area of the city in the Cathedral Quarter. The original Harp Bar- an old strip club - was used in the 1980s as the city's punk mecca (see Good Vibrations film).
Great beer garden and fabulous buzz in the Cathedral Quarter. The National bar is close by for a visit as well as the Thirsty Goat.
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The Dirty Onion
3 Hill StGreat beer garden and fabulous buzz in the Cathedral Quarter. The National bar is close by for a visit as well as the Thirsty Goat.
Late nights are spent at Kremlin. The area is Belfast's LGBT+ hub and a great place to socialise. The Maverick bar and Boombox are in the Union Street area just across from the old Irish News offices (Belfast's old Fleet Street).
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Kremlin
96 Donegall StLate nights are spent at Kremlin. The area is Belfast's LGBT+ hub and a great place to socialise. The Maverick bar and Boombox are in the Union Street area just across from the old Irish News offices (Belfast's old Fleet Street).
A great music venue and only about a mile away in the historic docks of Belfast. Look out for pictures on the walls of footballer Jimmy Hasty - our city's famous one-armed soccer player who grew up in the old 'Sailortown' docks area.
UEFA TV: ONE-ARMED WONDER: THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF JIMMY HASTY.
Do an online search for him. Lots of stories and images.
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The American Bar
65 Dock StA great music venue and only about a mile away in the historic docks of Belfast. Look out for pictures on the walls of footballer Jimmy Hasty - our city's famous one-armed soccer player who grew up in the old 'Sailortown' docks area.
UEFA TV: ONE-ARMED WONDER: THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF JIMMY HASTY.
Do an online search for him. Lots of stories and images.
Spaniard
3 Skipper StVery small and cozy. A little pub that packs in a great vibe.
Right beside the Dirty Onion. New bar with lovely beer garden in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter.
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The Thirsty Goat
1 Hill StRight beside the Dirty Onion. New bar with lovely beer garden in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter.
Sightseeing
Get out of the tourist traps and find the real Belfast.
Walk up to the Caves and McArt’s Fort. Have a look around Belfast Castle's interpretive displays, or have a coffee or pint in the bar. Count the cats in the castle grounds - clue: they're not alive! Good views of Belfast Lough where Titanic sailed off from the city's shipyard.
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Schloss Belfast
Antrim RoadWalk up to the Caves and McArt’s Fort. Have a look around Belfast Castle's interpretive displays, or have a coffee or pint in the bar. Count the cats in the castle grounds - clue: they're not alive! Good views of Belfast Lough where Titanic sailed off from the city's shipyard.
Crumlin Road Gaol with it's infamous hanging room is a 15 minute walk from the flat. There’s no need to go into town. Turn right outside the flat towards Cliftonville Road, cross the road towards Clifton Park Avenue. Walk along here and you’ll see the side entrance to the gaol.
Republican and Loyalist prisoners were locked up here during the Troubles, but the gaol goes back to Victorian times.
A great experience and extremely popular. Concerts are run here too at times. You can combine a visit to the gaol with a trip to the Belfast political murals on Falls Road. Walk out the main entrance, go right up the road and left at Agnes Street. Just walk down Agnes Street (15 minute walk) and you’ll find the ‘Muriels’ as us locals affectionately call them.
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Crumlin Road Gaol Visitor Attraction and Conference Centre
53-55 Crumlin RdCrumlin Road Gaol with it's infamous hanging room is a 15 minute walk from the flat. There’s no need to go into town. Turn right outside the flat towards Cliftonville Road, cross the road towards Clifton Park Avenue. Walk along here and you’ll see the side entrance to the gaol.
Republican and Loyalist prisoners were locked up here during the Troubles, but the gaol goes back to Victorian times.
A great experience and extremely popular. Concerts are run here too at times. You can combine a visit to the gaol with a trip to the Belfast political murals on Falls Road. Walk out the main entrance, go right up the road and left at Agnes Street. Just walk down Agnes Street (15 minute walk) and you’ll find the ‘Muriels’ as us locals affectionately call them.
Book through ‘Visit Belfast’ website.
Opened by the Belfast Charitable Society in 1797 this famous final resting place catered to all of the citizens of Belfast and was infamous for body snatchers!
The highlight of the tour is the McCracken family grave where Mary Ann McCracken, the renowned abolitionist, philanthropist and reformer, was laid to rest aged 96. Mary’s brother Henry Joy McCracken led the 1798 United Irishmen rebellion against the English.
Clifton Street Cemetery
Book through ‘Visit Belfast’ website.
Opened by the Belfast Charitable Society in 1797 this famous final resting place catered to all of the citizens of Belfast and was infamous for body snatchers!
The highlight of the tour is the McCracken family grave where Mary Ann McCracken, the renowned abolitionist, philanthropist and reformer, was laid to rest aged 96. Mary’s brother Henry Joy McCracken led the 1798 United Irishmen rebellion against the English.
We love Mary Ann McCracken and her healing, caring hands are still felt in the north Belfast area - more than in any other part of Belfast. She worshipped at Duncairn Presbyterian church which is now the Duncairn arts centre.
She set up the poor house to help the city’s destitute, fought for clean water to be pumped into the growing city, battled against slavery (was still handing out leaflets in her 90s) and helped ease living and working conditions for women. She helped set up the Belfast Charitable Society at Clifton House.
Clifton House Tour: Experience The Belfast Poor House. Book on ‘Visit Belfast’ website
Clifton House
2 Clifton StWe love Mary Ann McCracken and her healing, caring hands are still felt in the north Belfast area - more than in any other part of Belfast. She worshipped at Duncairn Presbyterian church which is now the Duncairn arts centre.
She set up the poor house to help the city’s destitute, fought for clean water to be pumped into the growing city, battled against slavery (was still handing out leaflets in her 90s) and helped ease living and working conditions for women. She helped set up the Belfast Charitable Society at Clifton House.
Clifton House Tour: Experience The Belfast Poor House. Book on ‘Visit Belfast’ website
A great walk exploring the world around the shipbuilding legacy of Belfast. Great walk along the River Lagan and great views out to sea. Start at the River Lagan's 'big fish' on Donegall Quay, Belfast BT1 3NG. Lovely at night with all the lights too.
The Great Light
A great walk exploring the world around the shipbuilding legacy of Belfast. Great walk along the River Lagan and great views out to sea. Start at the River Lagan's 'big fish' on Donegall Quay, Belfast BT1 3NG. Lovely at night with all the lights too.
The ultimate place dedicated to the iconic ship. A must see.
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Titanic Belfast Museum
1 Olympic WayThe ultimate place dedicated to the iconic ship. A must see.