Free Pizza

34-36 Bank Street, Belfast (028 9024 8544; www.mourneseafood.com)

Beyond the fish counter at the front, the exposed brick walls and chalked up specials on the blackboard lend a homely feel to this ubiquitous Belfast restaurant. The fish is caught locally and features home-made fish fingers, seafood casserole and a bargain half-dozen of oysters. Thursday night usually features lobster specials.

NICK'S WAREHOUSE

35-39 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB (028 9043 9690; www.nickswarehouse.co.uk)

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This buzzy local food institution in the regenerated Cathedral Quarter is housed in a red-brick former Bushmills whiskey store. For almost 20 years Nick Price has forged links with local suppliers - wild boar and rare pig breeders, organic lettuce farmers, award-winning sausage makers, and Dundrum crab catchers. The brasserie style menu changes daily and has an affordable wine list.

R N MULLHOLLAND

382 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 6GL (028 9020 2025)

An old-fashioned greengrocers with turnips, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and cauliflowers all "local" when I visited as well as Barn Hill Farm apple juice, and ready-made side-dishes from mashdirect.co.uk such as cooked red cabbage, champ and mashed swedes. Exotic imports range from cranberries to papaya but they don't stock organic because they tried once and "it didn't sell."

ST GEORGE'S MARKET

St George’s Market Hall, East Bridge Street
Fri and Sat 9am-3pm. (0289032 0202; www.belfastcity.gov.uk)

The city's local food hub where farmers’ market meets the wider world. Shop to the sound of live music and choose from freshly landed fish, local pork and beef, wild boar, venison, pheasant, organic fruit and vegetables, cheeses, and potato farls. look out for hand-made chocolates flavoured with Bushmills whiskey; Soupernatural soups; Papas ginger cordial and winter berry punch and Suki tea, which sells a Fairtrade Belfast Brew

SAWERS

7 Fountain Centre, College Street, Belfast (028 9032 2021; www.sawersltd.com)

Old-school deli cum grocers in the heart of the shopping district with an eclectic mix of goods piled high and Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling. As well as the fruit and veg out the front, other fresh produce includes Finnebrogue’s venison cuts and burgers, a small choice of seafood on ice, such as mussels and Irish smoked salmon, and a cheese counter. Plus all sorts of healthfoods, tins, jars and packets of Ditty’s oatcakes.

SWANTONS GOURMET FOODS

639, Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7GT (028 9068 3388; www.swantons.com)

A recent Georgina Campbell and Bridgestone (The 100 Best Restaurants in Ireland) guides award winner, this excellent deli-cafe lunch venue stocks Aine's chocolates from Co. Cavan, beetroot chutney and blossom honey and Castle Leslie sauces as well as a small hand-picked selection of Irish cheeses and a simple, reasonably priced seasonal food menu: chowder made with fish from Cork; steak and Guinness pie and speciality spicy potato cakes - delicious fresh fruit and granola breakfasts and home-made fruit scones.

Find more good food in our Real Food Northern Ireland listings

For more information visit www.gotobelfast.com and www.discoverireland.com

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