Sawers

Loved the sandwiches here they were phenomenal! Best Sandwich I’ve had in ages. Only disappointing thing is the blatant AI ‘art’ on some of the signs, it looks cheap and tacky when the rest of the place has a lovely rustic deli aesthetic - throwing off the entire mood to be honest. I think hiring real artists for this would look much better!

Amazing deli. The sheer amount of stuff they pack into the shop is amazing. The deli counter is a thing to behold. Beautiful sandwiches, staff are wonderfully friendly. If you're in Belfast this place should be on your list of places to visit. There's a few tables outside where you can stop and watch the world go by while you eat. Must visit location. 10 out of 10

An essential Belfast experience and a food lover's paradise! I’d heard so many people rave about Sawers, and it truly lives up to its reputation as a Belfast institution. From the moment you step inside, it feels like you’ve discovered a treasure trove. The shelves are packed floor-to-ceiling with an incredible array of specialty foods, from local Irish chutneys and crackers to international oils, spices, and cheeses. The atmosphere is bustling and has a wonderful, traditional charm that feels both historic and authentic. The real highlight, as many will tell you, is the deli counter. I opted for one of their famous made-to-order sandwiches and was blown away by the quality and the generous portions. The staff, despite being incredibly busy, were masters of their craft—efficient, friendly, and happy to offer recommendations from the vast selection of fresh meats, cheeses, and fillings. It’s easy to see why it’s a go-to lunch spot for so many locals. Whether you're popping in for a quick, delicious sandwich or Browse for some unique gourmet ingredients to take home, Sawers is an absolute must-visit. It’s more than just a deli; it’s a genuine piece of Belfast heritage. I went in for one thing and left with a bag full of delicious treats. I can't recommend it enough!

Such a nice deli with so many options as well, and every single item is a flavour explosion.

I absolutely love stopping by Sawers whenever I'm in Belfast - it's easily one of my favorite spots in the city. Sawers truly is a culinary wonderland, offering an incredible selection of condiments, sauces, teas, jams, and more alongside their renowned deli and freshly made sandwiches. Every visit leaves me in awe of the variety they offer - it's a real challenge not to want to buy everything in sight! The sandwiches I've tried have all been outstanding, prepared with exceptionally fresh ingredients. While it can get quite busy, especially during peak hours, the vibrant atmosphere only adds to the experience. A trip to Belfast wouldn't be complete without a visit to Sawers - it's a must-visit destination that never disappoints! 🙌🏼💯

Sawers is a Belfast institution. If U are just stopping for a quick bite, or looking for a tasty gift or a special ingredient, this is it. The deli counter offers every possible kind of cheese or charcuterie from all around Europe,the shelves are packed to the ceiling with Italian brands of pasta, mexican hot sauces, a the all sort of threats: sweet,salty or pickled. It doesn't get better that this, but whatch out for your wallet

Wonderful array of gourmet food products from around the world as well as many locally sourced specialties as well as. We really enjoyed exploring the shop and managed to find some unique chutneys to take home with us. This is a treasure of a shop in the heart of Belfast.

We don’t live in Belfast anymore and hadn’t been to Sawers in about 10 years so it was a lot of fun spending time marvelling at the delicious and wide-ranging fayre on display. A foodie’s paradise. Yes, there are a lot of things you can get in a supermarket but there are many more items you can’t, and it was hard not to buy too much. So much yumminess! The gentleman who served us at the cheese counter was so helpful and knowledgeable. He was great. We could’ve spent a fortune. Although we didn’t try any of the hot food, it looked outstanding; much better than any other deli/hot food counter we’ve seen. We’re only taking one star off because of the person who was working the till at 10am this morning (red hair, fringe); no smile or greeting. When we asked for a bag she scowled “A bag?!” as if this was a strange request. No goodbye or thank you. It seems we weren’t her first problem of the day, but she soured what was an otherwise fantastic visit.

"People who love to eat are always the best people." -Julia Child (1912-2004) One of the stops on our Belfast food tour, Sawers was a tremendous hit. Crowded at lunchtime on a weekday, we managed to nab a table when another couple finished their meal. It's super busy and inside, it's full of gourmet delights. Anyone who thinks Northern Ireland doesn't have good good needs to come here. Smoked salmon on toasted bread, hard Irish cheese, crunchy baguette, sliced turkey, even chilli sauce and something called "black butter." Oh, and wine. You can't have a midday snack without wine, right? Much/most of the food here is quite local (the wine is Spanish) and the staff are helpful. Check the "sandwich board" out front for specials. The Spanish Board for £25 would be my choice! [Review 1893 of 2024 - 871 in United Kingdom - 22915 overall]

Found this gem while strolling the streets of downtown Belfast. This place has it all! A great selection of various packaged food, a deli that makes fresh sandwiches, pastries, fresh cheeses to cut and an olive bar. Browsing the store, I saw that it's separated into sections. An Italian section with lots of varieties of pastas and sauces. Cookies from Italy and limoncello! There is a very small Mexican section, which in my opinion was pretty darn good for being in Ireland! They had tortillas, various dry chilies and hot sauces. Lots of cookies, candies, jams and jelly's and a very large tea selection. The cheese case and deli were loaded with so many choices, it was hard to choose! You can order food and eat at tables that are just outside the front of the store. A definite recommend but if you're a foodie, be prepared to be dazzled!

The selection here is massive. The shop has so much different foods, sauces and drinks to try from around the world. The deli bar has so many options, The sandwiches are delicious and fairly priced. The staff here are nice and helpful.

Sawers is an absolutely stunning deli right in the heart of Belfast. They have a deli-to-go where you can get some of the most fresh, delicious food to take away. I have had some amazing lunches from here over the years, the quality and choice is amazing and I've never had anything like it from elsewhere! Their range is both global and locally sourced, and of really high quality! They sell cold cuts of meat, cheeses, olives, pastries, gourmet preserves, an awesome range of teas and coffees, and so much more! As others have mentioned the interior of the shop is visually beautiful and feels like you are taking a step back in time to days long ago before shops became as cold, clinical and generic as they are nowadays. They do wonderful hampers too which would make an amazing and tasteful present for someone who likes the finer things in life!

Nice little grocery market with specialized items inside. I loved this place. There was so many things I wanted to get but alas we were just visiting so I had to resort to taking some pics instead. I did get their matcha shortbread cookies and they were deeelish. Nice little spot!

Sawers is exceptionally good but expensive. The shop itself is practically a work of art with it's exotic foods and displays. A true foodies paradise. I would recommend their delicious and huge selection of chutneys. They stock items you just won't find elsewhere in Belfast. However you'll also get some items much, much cheaper from your local supermarket - so be warned and be careful! Unfortunately, I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've purchased from this shop over the years. I do love to walk around Sawers, but rarely buy. A luxury food shop from which I'm more likely to purchase items as gifts for others, rather than for myself.

Wow! What a fantastic experience. Kieran and his family and whole team were amazing. We ordered over one hundred hampers which included a wide range of different dietary requirements and we received wonderful food and fantastic service - which we expected, given Sawer's famous reputation - but, on top of all that, we had a lovely experience. We had great fun choosing gorgeous food and great craic with Kieran. Everything was parcelled beautifully and delivered promptly and the hampers' recipients were absolutely delighted! I heartily recommend Sawers: beautiful food, fantastic customer-care and a lovely shopping experience. Thank you so much

Sawers is an amazing deli with a large selection of cheeses,chutneys and an amazing olive & salad bar. They offer so much that I could go on....but as a tea blogger,I was there for the tea! There was an amazing selection of teas available from loose teas to tea bags. The entire shop is beautiful but the tea section is particularly impressive. I was literally in tea heaven! I made a couple of tea purchases and was served with a smile! I would highly recommend Sawers.

This should almost be listed as a restaurant instead of a delicatessen because the prepped food is extensive. Amazing attention to detail and selection of hot/cold sandwiches, salads, tapas and breakfast items. Outside and inside seating available. We'll be eating here throughout our 1 week visit to Belfast.

What don't sawers have!! A very well stocked deli in the heart of the city. The second you enter your eyes are darting all over as there is so much to see! Products stacked from floor to roof give a great aladdins cave feel of luxury foods. Chutneys, jams, hot sauces, local teas, drinks, CHEESE, meats and a great fish section. Products from all over the world, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Korean, Mexican, Spanish, French and of course Irish. They have ready made hampers or you can make your own. The staff are lovely. The only down side is it's quite expensive. Some things I've seen elsewhere and at half the price.

Sawers is a mega Deli full of food that will warm your soul and make your belly tingle. As other reviewers have said it is 100% the best Deli in Belfast. Although word of warning if you are going in for a nosey or to buy some lunch then make sure you have a close peg handy because Sawers stinks of fish, and I mean reeks. But this is not there fault, I suppose it pays testament to how fresh the fish is. As everyone else has quite rightly said Sawers is a little bit on the expensive side of things. But it does offer some of the finest produce around and most people do not mind shelling out a few extra pounds for quality. I highly recommend the Salami from Sawers, it is amazing and is the perfect if you are making your own pizza's from scratch.

Being a bit of a foodie, I cannot recommend Sawers highly enough. Whatever cuisine you are cooking or random ingredient you need you are bound to find it here. Even if I don't need anything in particular I love just having a little browse and being inspired by the wealth of meats, cheeses and condiments from around the world. Because they are so jam packed with goodies it is sometimes hard to find what you are looking for, but don't be afraid to ask, as the staff are wonderful, not only helping me find what I was looking for, but suggesting alternative things to try, making me feel like a proper Nigella Lawson when I left. As others have mentioned it isn't the cheapest spot in town, but in relation to what they provide they are by far the best.

Oh YEAH baby! Its amazing, you could spend 2 hours in here and not see all of the interesting exotic items on offer, from marinades to olives to coffee beans to pastrami to cheese to pretzel M&Ms...ita delish! LOVE this shop, some of the items scare me, I mean WHAT the hell is a Rollmop??!! Spices, sauces, jars of honey, jams, spreads of all kind, canned pumpkin, SMUCKERS grape jelly, Hershey's kisses, blow the arse of you hot sauce, re fried beans, crab sticks, fresh salmon, dried salt cod (YEUCH!!!!!) just about anything you would need to have one hell of a feeding party. Not open on Sundays which is a big disappointment, but otherwise its a great shop, not the cheapest but hey if you want cheap dirt go to Tesco. I love it.

Without a doubt the best deli in Belfast, Sawyers is a treat for the eyes and nose and eventually, the taste buds! I think it may also be the oldest deli In Belfast, but that doesn't mean they don't stock the latest must have ingredients. It doesn't look overly sophisticated from the outside but step inside and you will find everything from baby squid so fresh it is practically winking at you to wild boar and ostrich steaks. There are oriental cooking ingredients, really unusual cooked and smoked meats like apple salami and a range of cheese to make Tesco hang its giant corporate head in shame. At Christmas you can order hampers for your foodie friends, or for your foodie self and throw in things you might not normally go for like dipping oils and chutneys - real foodie treats. You can't park outside as this deli is right in the city centre, but park in the multi story behind Castle Court and you won't have too far to stagger with your haul.

The first thing that strikes me about Sawers is how can they afford to give away all that food for free when it costs so much when you go in to buy it? I adore the free crackers and chilli feta they hand out at lunchtime - and all the other treats - and dream of a day when I would be able to shop here regularly. The vast range of top quality foods that they stock is mindblowing. But what I like best is that you can get 3 stuffed vine leaves at the counter down the back for a pound. Now that is a hidden bargain. Delicious.

Well priced and always too quality. Enjoyed a Franks Hot Sauce chicken burger. Highly recommend it. Friendly staff and quick service.

I can't go past Sawers without nipping inside. I always end up buying some fresh smoked gouda cheese or real turkish delight. This is a deli that is ACTUALLY a deli. Other places in Belfast have a pretence at 'deli-ness' but no - only Sawers does it properly. If you're cooking some weird or wonderful Jamie Oliver delight, or a demanding Gordon Ramsey recipe and you need something ridiculous like smoked vension or squid-ink spaghetti - you will find it in Sawers. There are things on the shelves I actually wonder if anyone buys at all - so whacky and out of place they seem in little old Belfast. At seasonal times they always have fantastic pumpkins for Halloween and all sorts of lovely chutneys and nuts at Christmas - it makes me want to be Nigella Lawson and go and buy it all then claim i've just had it 'hanging around the pantry' - it's just full of taste-bud gorgeousness, especially the cheese counter - worth a visit if you are an adventurous cook or fancy a bit of olive tapenade and other scrummy 'posh' nibbles.

I'm a real fan of Sawers, because all the food looks so great and yummy but still haven't bought anything here as it's pretty pricey. I used to work in a lovely little foodie shop like this and recognized a lot of the same brands being stocked. Sawyers is the place to go if you are a bit of a foodie connoisseur and need to pick up an obscure ingredient for your latest recipe. It's also a great place to come in and browse. They have some great cheeses, some fresh cut meats, lovely Italian pasta sauces. A fantastic, quality delicatessen right in the heart of town.

I love to call into this store and just look around to see what random stuff it will convince me to part with my money for. It's a unique shop in Belfast, which sells a lot of interesting foodstuffs from around the world as well as a huge selection of Organic, locally sourced vegetables. Once for a Birthday party gift we bought our friend some BBQ flavoured worms and a shark steak (he loves sharks). Whilst these were really funny gift options, they were a little expensive but of course you would be a little over the usual for the rare selection of meats you can choose from in Sawers (he never ate the shark, he loved them to much :( ) They also sell lots of products from the U.S that you can't get in any other store in Belfast. Again, these are quite expensive but it's good for the novelty factor. If your ever wondering around town and want to go into something quite unique, then Sawers is definitely the place to go.

This place is bay far the best delicatessen I have ever been in, mainly because it's so much more than that! Sawers has a fantastic selection of fresh fish, fine speciality cured meats, every cheese you can imagine (try before you buy) and an awesome olive and salad bar! Not to mention the vast array of sauces, herbs and spices form around the world...infact theres so much in here its hard to know what to go for first! They also cater for the wierd and wonderfull tastes from around the world from osterrich, kangaroo and crocodile to python steaks (yes really!) for those of us more adventerous and looking for something new to try! Its the first place you'd go if you were ever on an episode of come dine with me! They also do gorgeous gift baskets you can fill with treats form the strange and exotic and make fab presents! They also do little lunch packs of crackers cheese and grapes which are really quite delicious! The shop itself is rather on te small side but this is forgivable as it really is just too awesome! Although the deli is open till 5:30 they do start to pack away the fish at 4:30 so get in before this time if that's what you're after!

This place is a great wee shop that sells all kinds of seemingly random food. The fish are the first thing you'll notice, since you can smell it the whole way down Fountain Street! But beyond that you'll get a variety of foods from all over the world - nice olive oils and cheeses being my favourites. it's a shame there aren't more places like this in Belfast (we're pretty poorly served for independent food vendors in these parts), but I suppose that just goes to making Sawers even more special.

Serious deli heaven in here! It's been around for ages and it can be damn pricey (do check your local mega superstore prices/availability before buying) but it's still probably the best of its kind in town. There is a huge amount of produce crammed into this tiny store and don't even think about trying to negotiate it if you're wearing a backpack or even a slightly padded jacket. It's kind of pointless trying to list or even describe the selection of fresh produce, exotic meats, seafood, tinned goods, sauces, spices and the like that are in here. One nice addition I noticed was that they do a hamper service where you chose a hamper, choose what goes in the hamper and then they do a nice gift wrap on it. I have earmarked one as an upcoming wedding gift for a foodie couple. Pros: Best selection in town for unusual ingredients. Cons: Can be busy at weekends and the pricing is all over the shop.

If you are looking for that extra special something ingredient or spice it'll more than likely be at Sawers, though one Christmas I wanted marron glaces but couldn't find any which disappointed me a bit. I particularly like their cool counter of mostly fishy things like anchovies, rollmops and squid though there were a venison sausages in the middle last time I looked. There's a good selection of garlic sausage and plenty of cheeses. However, as it is such as small shop I recommend making a point of going there when it's quiet if you can to appreciate the contents better and find things more easily.

Being from America, I love Sawyer's. I can always count of them to carry all my favorite 'delicacies' from home - Lucky Charms, Nerds, Marshmallow Fluff, Kraft Mac 'n Cheese, Pop Tarts and Peanut Butter and Jam swirled in one container. We Yanks are a classy bunch. ;) Sawyer's has a wide variety of odd meats as well, including crocodile, rattlesnake, bison, ostrich and kangaroo. They also carry a variety of sauces which all look interesting and would make fantastic gifts. They have expanded their shop, and it looks a lot less cluttered now. I would recommend to anyone looking for something different.

I'm torn when it comes to Sawers. It certainly is the most comprehensive range of deli items in Northern Ireland and I have used it several times to find that elusive item I need to complete a meal. I'll start at the start. They have a modest range of organic and more obscure fruit and vegetables on the way in, things like torpedo shallots that are a bugger to find elsewhere. Upon entry you will see that this shop has about as much floor space as a toilet cubicle, that said they do manage to cram an awful lot in. Fresh deli items such as salmon, seafood, roll-mops and anchovies on your left lead you towards fridges housing rare meats (shark, camel, zebra) and then follow you to a cheese and olive counter. I've bought good olive oil here, balsamic, vegetable crisps and fois gras on one glorious occasion however when prices are compared everything is really at the very high end. For example, why they bother stocking things such as Encona sauces, 69p in a major supermarket, £3.99 here. I was also in search of a few hard to get hot sauces. I was after Blair's Original and Dave's Insanity sauce, £9.99 each, £4.19 from a small UK retailer online. Madness. They do strive to get the rare and wonderful but precisely because of their monopoly on the market they have everyone at gunpoint. Certainly worth a pop in if you need black truffle, snails, Irish cheese or meat oddities, but keep in mind you are paying the price for it.

Best place for gourmet and craft food products. Could have spent hours in this shop and the staff was really helpful and friendly. Will be back soon &I try the black bomber cheese :) amazing!

On a trip into town Sawers is always on the list of places to pop into, a huge range of interesting global produce from BBQ Sauces from USA to Turkish delight from eh Turkey. Not somewhere you could afford to do you weekly grocery shop but ideal for filling your basket with goodies to add a bit of happiness to your larder. Pop in have a wander and get something tasty. Brilliant just brilliant

Sawers is the best Deli I've ever been to. Normally I don't like shops fully packed like this, but selection just makes you wander around. I could literally spend hours browsing the shelves. Think of any special ingredients you need for a recipe and I'm pretty sure you'll find it here. Their preserves, cheese and spice selection is truly impressive. It is a bit expensive, but all these exotic products tend to be pricy anyway and Sawers is obviously not the place for everyday grocery shopping. Every time I travel home, I like to take some small presents with, so after all the family and friends got their obligatory fridge magnets and Guinness souveniers, I decided to have a look around Sawers if I can find anything to suit my loved ones' tastes. The special flavour jams made in Belfast are always a great choice, who wouldn't want to try a clover jam or one with vodka and raspberries? The Scottish shortbreads with wild boar pate was also a hit - even impressed my brother-in-law who is a complete opposite of a foodie. :)

Up until now I've never ventured in to this absolutely amazing shop, however thankfully I recently gained the experience of being able to shop within the confines of this fascinating food seller. I've always been intrigued by the sights, sounds and smells of the shop, but today I was drawn towards the little samples of cheese that were being offered as complimentary tasters outside the shop. After battling through the strong fish smell when you first enter the fresh food shop, you will enter a delightful delicatessen of sumptuous meats, cheeses, chillis and olives amongst other spices, pates, sauces, and a whole range of other delightful fresh, free range, wholesome foods. The stranger items this shop sells includes chocolate covered scorpions, chocolate ants, zebra burgers, and the beautiful venison burgers with feta cheese and Parma ham. Wow they looked good! Well, if you're in to alternative cooking, or home grown speciality food then you can not miss this shop. Sawyers is an absolute 5* for individuality, taste and style. Please, give us more!

A nice deli in the city centre with some interesting bits and pieces but not a patch on Arcadia on the Lisburn Rd.

This is a unique deli selling fresh fish, cheeses, olives, sun dried tomatoes and lots of other delicious foods. They are a bit pricy but nice for that special dinner you want to cook.

Seriously over priced. They charge £2.99 for De Cecco Bucatini pasta which I can get on the Lisburn Road for £1.89. Even this is a lot. When in Dublin I buy Bucatini for 1.60€