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The Great Room Restaurant, Belfast,

The Great Room Restaurant

4.7
4.7
718 reviews
£26 to £40
Modern European
Top tags:
The Great Room Restaurant is undoubtedly one of Northern Ireland’s most extraordinary restaurants. Thanks to the remarkable original Victorian interior with its glass cupola, Ireland’s largest chandelier an array of plasterwork detailing, the space is second to none. Needless to say our chefs search tirelessly to bring the finest seasonal ingredients together in eloquent dishes in thoughtfully prepared menus, just one of the reasons The Great Room Restaurant was awarded 2 AA Rosettes. All this is complemented by expert service and a wine list to which all the superlatives apply!
Mid- week lunch is served Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.15

To book our iconic Afternoon Tea, please search for Afternoon Tea at The Merchant Hotel.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 11 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Cuisines
    Modern European
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Daily 7:00 am–9:00 am Afternoon Tea Daily 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–2:15 pm Sundays Sun 12:30 pm–8:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 6:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 6:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    028 9023 4888
  • Website
    http://www.themerchanthotel.com/the-great-room
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Johnny Leake
  • Location
    16 Skipper Street, Belfast, BT1 2DZ
  • Area
    Belfast
  • Parking Details
    There are a number of Multi-story Car Parks within a few minutes walk of The Great Room. One is Hi-Park on High Street (1 min walk) and Q Park in St. Anne's Square (5 mins walk).
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options

What 718 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Northern Ireland

    Best Overall

  • Northern Ireland

    Best Service

  • Northern Ireland

    Best Ambience

  • Northern Ireland

    Best Value

  • Northern Ireland

    Good for business meals

  • Northern Ireland

    Good for business meals

  • Northern Ireland

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Northern Ireland

    Healthy

  • Northern Ireland

    Great for fine wines

  • Northern Ireland

    Romantic

  • Northern Ireland

    Good for special occasions

  • Northern Ireland

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • Northern Ireland

    Most Booked

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Best Overall

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Best Food

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Best Service

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Best Ambience

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Best Value

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Good for business meals

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Good for business meals

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Healthy

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Great for fine wines

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Romantic

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Good for special occasions

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • Belfast/Antrim

    Most Booked

718 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    N. Ireland

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Brilliant. Lovely place. Food is unbelievable. I had the steak and it was to die for. Really good value really (the Sunday lunch menu) I can’t recommend going here enough

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  2. MarleneD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 September 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful setting with beautiful food & lovely service.

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  3. Metro

    N. Ireland

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 19 September 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All good, great location for a more private business meeting

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 September 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always fantastic experience. Great good, impeccable service.

    Is this helpful?

  5. ChrisB

    New York Area

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on 10 September 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The menu looked limited at first look! However the food was fantastic as was the Service. Highly recommend

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  6. NikkiC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 September 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    Food was average, a little bland. Service was quite slow too. Disappointing.

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  7. Winren

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 September 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a best fine dining experience here. Good decision to celebrate our anniversary and we love the food.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Ev44

    N. Ireland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 8 September 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent dining experience. Food was delicious, Staff attentive. Would definitely recommend to anyone.

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  9. sarahr

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 September 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a very memorable experience with top notch service and incredible food. The cocktails were so well-balanced, the wine (recommended by the sommelier) went perfectly with our food, and the plant-based options were excellent and very welcome.

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  10. SwerveM

    London

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 2 September 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Ambience exceptional. The starters for me where the star of the show. Could not really fault the main course but mine lacked flavour, Pauline on the other hand really enjoyed her cauliflower steak. Sweets sublime. Wine was very good. Service very efficient, friendly but also non-intrusive. Overall a great experience for special occasions given the cost

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  11. AlanW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We booked the Great Room for our wedding anniversary. From the moment we walked in, the service was excellent. The tasting menu was top class and explanations accompanying the wine flight were great. Of course the decor was superb. The petit fours nearly finished us off and, when they provided an unexpected anniversary cake, we had to ask for a box to carry it home. It was one of the best meals out we've ever had.

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  12. AnnM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 29 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very enjoyable afternoon, everything was excellent

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  13. Graham

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 28 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful lunch. My wife loves duck but didn’t enjoy the way it was prepared. They immediately offered to provide a substitute AND they took my entree back and completely prepared it over again so that we could eat together. We have never had that happen in any restaurant including ones with Michelin stars. They also provided a complimentary glass of wine, a complimentary side dish and waived the service fee even the the server (Dylan) was great. The rest of the food was extraordinary. Taste and presentation at the highest level.

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  14. DavidI

    Essex

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 27 August 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Had a Sunday lunch at the Great Room - the food was very good, service attentive but not intrusive, and the atmosphere pleasant. Happy to return in the future.

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  15. CharlotteM

    Birmingham

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 24 August 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    As soon as you walk into the Great rooms you’re wowed by the stunning architecture and chandelier. Welcomed and seated straight away, by happy friendly staff. Food orders came out in good time and you couldn’t fault a thing!

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  16. JonathanS

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 August 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Nice atmosphere, excellent service and food good. Sandwich flavours weren’t to my liking but just my personal taste!

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  17. JulieK

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 19 August 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience5
    Service not at level of food quality. Recommend visit for a drink to see the decor.

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  18. Jessica

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful experience would definitely recommend the tasting menu food was outstanding.. fabulous atmosphere.. Only down side was my first glass of wine wasn’t great and had to changed I could not drink it the attentive staff described it has the quality had gone out of the wine. Following this we had to move to another table as my dress was wet due to dipping coming from the great room roof..

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  19. NualaY

    N. Ireland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 18 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous place to dine. The ambiance, the staff, the food! All amazing!!

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 August 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Great experience all round. Nice food, great service, lovely restaurant. Geoff

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  21. TraceyN

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 17 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a celebratory lunch which an amazing food experience. The service is excellent with knowledgeable professional and courteous staff covering drinks and food. Seating arrangements are very comfortable and well Spaced to allow for privacy. Extensive wine and cocktail list. The location is breath taking with the restored decor from the from the former Ulster Bank HQ. We have been on a number of special occasions and every visit has been incredible.

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  22. MarkD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Impeccable service and food as always. Great staff friendly and very accommodating. For me the best in Belfast.

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  23. Tracey

    Liverpool

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 12 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and tasty different touches. Absolutely delightful.

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  24. dinnerlady

    London

    233 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    233 reviews

    Dined on 11 August 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    The Great Room Restaurant is set in an imposing setting. The food is well prepared and well presented. Service is good.

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  25. Heidi

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 August 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    I thought the food on the eight course tasting menu was delicious, but it lacked a wow factor. The dishes lacked theatre and the intricacy that I expected for £80 menu. Overall an experience that I thoroughly enjoyed and I would return for a meal, but I would choose the la carte menu instead in future.

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  26. CarolynH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 August 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    Good food and service in a fabulous setting. Worth the price for a very memorable experience

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  27. DarrenM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic dining experience - food, service and ambience all first rate. Also, gotta try the cocktails - Dark & Stormy and Old Fashioned are both a triumph

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  28. MS13

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a luxurious dining experience. The service we experienced was truly beyond expectations. We will definitely be dining at the Great Room Restaurant again.

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  29. MoyaC

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 6 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Delicious afternoon tea, service was great, setting was wonderful.

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  30. Snoof

    Ireland

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 5 August 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    My meal was definitely better than my wife's. The wine was brilliant and the service excellent. The food was a little lacking in flavour in parts, but we would go back to try again. The best cocktails in Belfast.

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  31. StephenL

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 1 August 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Or lunch in the Great Room was excellent!The service was top level and made for a great afternoon. Top marks!!

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  32. JoseA

    Glasgow

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 July 2023

    overall2food1service5ambience5
    For £80, the tasting menu was highly disappointing. The first plate (beef) tasted only like vinegar, the tuna was overly cured, which ruined its flavour, and the lobster plate was made up of three tiny (although very tasty) lobster pieces, with 3 half tomato cherries and a pseudo sauce of olive oil and watery tomato liquid. The main course was lovely (no complaints here). The desserts were just very average. Would definitely not recommend. Having said all the above, the service was exceptional and our waiter was very pleasant.

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  33. StephenB

    N. Ireland

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 28 July 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience3
    No one at the reception desk. Waited nearly 10 minutes to be attended to. Then had to wait 30 minutes for table to be ready. Food was outstanding (as always) and brilliant waiter couldn't have been more helpful.

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  34. Fearlesslynnie

    N. Ireland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 27 July 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Another wonderful meal to celebrate a special occasion. Gorgeous surroundings and attentive staff. Thoroughly recommend!

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  35. NaomiM

    Bristol

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 July 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    We found our service to be slow on Sunday despite a very quiet restaurant, and did have to ask for things several times. Our waiter was not knowledgeable when we asked what the fish of the day was, and the pasty on th swans for dessert was not fresh. This was a disappointing visit for us overall in comparison to previous occasions.

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  36. CarolS

    N. Ireland

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 22 July 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience4
    The food was amazing, I thought we got a bottle of processco, and not charged by the glass

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  37. Maria

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 July 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The great room is indeed a great experience…great food service & ambience

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 July 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely stunning and food was delicious. Recommend this place

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  39. DamianG

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 July 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We would recommend the Great room, we had a lovely meal I must say that my wife’s steak was cooked medium when she’d asked rare and they rectified and apologised without the need to ask. Their service was top notch my duck and my wife’s (2nd steak) were lovely. It’s beautiful surroundings and our server was lovely.

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    London

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 18 July 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Superlative ambiance, attentive and excellent service, delicious food. All-round wonderful experience.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Protective equipment

    • Waiting staff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Great Room Restaurant is rated 4.7 stars by 718 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 11 times today
Google Map for The Great Room Restaurant

16 Skipper Street, Belfast, BT1 2DZ

Additional information

  • Area
    Belfast
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Daily 7:00 am–9:00 am Afternoon Tea Daily 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–2:15 pm Sundays Sun 12:30 pm–8:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 6:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 6:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Modern European
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking Details
    There are a number of Multi-story Car Parks within a few minutes walk of The Great Room. One is Hi-Park on High Street (1 min walk) and Q Park in St. Anne's Square (5 mins walk).
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Johnny Leake
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options
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