Deane's Belfast

Nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, in the West Highlands among the glens, lochs and mountains of Scotland, is Inverlochy Castle. The baronial home was built by James Scarlett, the First Lord Abinger. It is about 2 miles from the site of the original 13th century fortress. In 1873 Queen Victoria spent a week there sketching and drawing and said “I never saw a lovelier or romantic spot.” In 1969 the castle was converted from a private residence to a country house hotel. 

Deane’s is the culinary home of the eponymous Michael Deane. After a number of years working in Claridges in London, the Lisburn-born Deane returned to Northern Ireland. In 1993 he opened Deane’s on the Square in Helen’s Bay, County Down. In 1997 he opened his two story establishment in Belfast’s city centre, with Restaurant Michael Deane upstairs and Deane’s Brasserie downstairs. The same year the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star and has held it ever since. It is the only Michelin starred restaurant in Northern Ireland. It also holds four AA rosettes.

In 2008 the two restaurants were combined into one – Deane’s. There is a lounge area where guests can enjoy a pre-dinner drink before being brought into the modern dining area where the food is cooked in an open kitchen.  

If celebrity-spotting is your thing then there is no better place in Belfast to do it. Restaurant Michael Deane has become a magnet for celebrities visiting Belfast. Roger Moore, on a recent visit, is reported to have eaten there three days in a row.  

Deane’s signature dishes include peppered venison with creamed artichoke, and crisped salmon with cous cous. There is often a plethora of local ingredients on the menu with new season lamb, scallops, venison, langoustines and pork belly appearing on the menu. There is a special lunch and pre-theatre menu which both offer very reasonable prices for a Michelin starred restaurant. There is a menu available for special events and a seasonal party menu. The wine menu has a wide selection of wine from both the Old World and the New World, each bottle chosen to complement the cuisine on offer.