Waterman Restaurant

Absolutely Incredible — A Must-Visit in Belfast! From start to finish, our experience at The Waterman was truly exceptional. Every dish—from the starters through to dessert—was absolutely incredible; the flavors, presentation, and quality were simply outstanding. What really set the evening apart was the warm and gracious service. The owners went above and beyond to make my sister-in-law’s birthday celebration extra special, which we all sincerely appreciated. Their genuine hospitality made the night unforgettable. If you’re in Belfast, do not miss this restaurant. I will absolutely return every time I’m in town!

We had a lovely evening at The Waterman. Our food was excellent; flavoursome and hearty for a cold, wet, winter’s night. We highly recommend the beetroot tartlet, celeriac and apple soup, the ox cheek and the chateaubriand, oh, and the brown bread ice-cream, which was amazing. Service was very good - friendly and welcoming but not overbearing. The staff also went out of their way to accommodate our requests.

The Waterman provides a superb, high-end dining experience in Belfast. The absolute standout is the steak, which is flawlessly cooked, tender, and easily one of the best in the city. The drink menu is equally impressive, serving up lovely cocktails that are expertly mixed and perfectly balanced.

I was expecting a much better service and quality of food based on the prices and the level of food they assume they serve. Staff unfriendly and food much below our expectations. The sirloin steak that I asked for was burned. Burning the meat is not translated to well done. They have no clue how to serve a well done steak. The presentation of the food was below average for a restaurant of this level and also they didn’t inform us that the roasted vegetables that should be included in our menu( who can eat just a steak with no sides?) they were charged extra. Unbelievable they serve in a Christmas menu a steak that has no sides just plain. Terrible concept and low level. In addition it was so noicy there and the ambience wasn’t very relaxing.

< Stepping into Waterman, you immediately get a sense that you're in for a delicious food that truly stole the show, as a charmingly chaotic service. From the moment our plates arrived, it was clear the kitchen at Waterman knew its stuff. Each dish was a vibrant explosion of flavors, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. Seriously, the food here is a must-try. Now, about the service. If you're looking for military precision and seamless execution, this might not be your spot. There was a definite buzz, a charmingly uncoordinated dance of servers, and perhaps a slight delay here and there. However, it was delivered with such genuine warmth and earnest effort that it added to the restaurant's unique character rather than detracting from the meal. It felt less like inefficiency and more like a bustling, passionate family kitchen where everyone is doing their best to ensure you're fed well, even if they occasionally trip over each other's feet. Ultimately, Waterman offers an unforgettable dining experience. Come for the truly outstanding food, which alone is worth the trip. Stay for the lively, slightly unpredictable atmosphere that makes for a memorable story and a distinctly Dublin welcome. Highly recommended.

I think it is a bit over rated restaurant, especially since it is on the Michelin guide restaurant. First of all, during our experience, almost every dishes was send to the wrong person. One of the services almost dropped off one dish before we even make any order yet. And there is 10% service charge. Well, I think at least for our experience it was definitely not worth the 10%. The food just so so. We ordered some soup, pasta, and beef. The beef is so hard, I think it was a good exercise for my jaw.

I came out very satisfied. It’s fancy enough that it could feel like a nice date or special treat. The food was all very good. A bit eclectic maybe. Our dish selection might not have been the best. There were some things we chose that were deli-like which can make it hard to really appreciate the cooking and prep that goes into a dish. The main courses were pricey but faultless cooking on the venison and potatoes. Great puddings as well!

Visited in Feb and we were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food vs the cost. Such beautiful produce cooked perfectly and at very reasonable prices. The calamari on a regu starter was especially incredible!