Harbour View Restaurant

I went here once on a work lunch and was really impressed. I returned with a friend and we ended up leaving after 45 minutes of waiting and nobody even taking our order. While the food was good and the show impressive, I won’t be going there again.

As most of the reviews have mentioned this is not a cheap eat at all but the combination of setting and service almost compensate for that. I’ve been a few times for the ‘business lunch’ which is actually pretty good value though the choice is a lot more limited than the a la carte.
The chef certainly knows how to put on a show (he does a great trick with an egg!) whilst he’s frying everything up in front of you so there’s a feel of a more unique dining experience.
The room is nicely set out as well with a terrace so it’s good to head out there for a drink either before or after the meal. One of the best Japanese restaurants in Belfast, ignore the fact it’s a wee bit out of the way and do try the lunch menu if you’re first timer.
Pros: Unique setting, excellent food.
Cons: Can get damn pricey.

I went here with a vegetarian friend who had never tried Japanese food before, and I admired her for being so brave as I think secretly we were both wondering if there would be anything on the menu for her, because Yo Sushi, this is not — it’s much more upmarket and takes itself far more seriously. It’s in a great situation, overlooking the River Lagan, and on a sunny evening, getting a window seat is fantastic. The service was lovely and really polite and attentive, and we had a seat around one of the tables where the chef cooks the food right in front of you, so be prepared to perhaps be seated next to others, kind of ‘family style’. I really liked it, but if you are going out for a meal to have a private discussion or experience, maybe don’t go here. The food was excellent and despite our apprehension, there was lots of choice for my veggie friend. She loved the Vegetable Tempura. Not a cheap place to eat out so bring your wallet.

Yikes! I think the first thing to mention about this place are the prices. It is probably the most expensive restaurant I have been to in Belfast. Consider this — starters costing up to £13 and main courses at around £26 for something like monkfish which is what I had. Yes, really. In Belfast. I go to London a couple of times a year and would expect to pay those prices in an upscale place there, but not in Belfast. Even the set menus are priced at £40 and £60 per person and don’t include drinks. The wine list is expensive too — where else would you pay £16 for a bottle of Jacob’s Creek?
Having said that, the setting is impressive (although with a view of the River Lagain rather than a habour) and if you go for the Teppenyaki style of cooking, the food is nothing short of spectacular. With the Teppenyaki menu, the chef will prepare and cook the food right at your table which is like a little show in itself. I was stupidly excited by that and also by the choices of meat and fish — all top notch stuff like seabass, scallops and venison.
My advice? Do go, it’s amazing, but either be prepared to pay a lot for your meal, or go for the much more purse friendly set lunch at just £9.95 each. Better still, visit when someone else’s business is footing the bill as I did!

Was great but closed down…

I am a huge fan of Japanese food but this is the first such restaurant I have ever been to in Northern Ireland and I am comparing it with others I have been to elsewhere.
The food is fantastic and the menu has something for everyone including a good choice for vegetarians, most of it is prepared in front of you (in the teppanyaki style) and that is great entertainment, especially if you are in a large group as you are seated around the hot-​plate ready for the chef to start firing food your way. The staff are also very attentive and are keen to help with any queries you may have but a star is missing for 2 reasons.
Firstly, the restaurant is positioned right on the Lagan River which looks great but means there are limited parking spaces which can be a big problem unless you are getting a taxi there. The other issue is the price, this is a very expensive restaurant and although the food is great and the show in front of you is also great to watch it doesn’t justify the price. To be honest I would rather take a star off for both of these issues but I don’t want to take too much away from the food which was excellent.

Great fun Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant which also does excellent sushi and sashimi.
The best way to eat is to pick your meat/​fish of choice — including steak, duck, sea bass, squid and one of the chefs cooks it at the hot plate in front of you served with fried rice, noodles and veg.
I have been twice and always shared with my friends so that you get a little of everything.
Best to go with a group of people and take up the whole of the semi circle that goes round the hot plate — otherwise you end up with people you may not know.
It can, however, work out very expensive.
Service sadly is less than friendly.