Belfast - a few questions please

[The Moose]

Mods, please leave this here, at least for a bit as I'm flying out very shortly and need a bit of info!!

As said, I'm off to Belfast with the misses tomorrow. Just looking for a cheap and cheerful suggestion for dinner. We are staying in a hotel in downtown Belfast near Grosvenor Street. If that makes any difference?!? (won't be renting a car!).

What is good to visit. Nothing too boring?!?!

Are there any places NOT to go?

I assume they use the standard UK 3 pin plug and of course the pound!!

Will mobile rates be £££££ or is Northern Ireland not a roaming zone ( we are both on O2 ).

Erm, I think that is it for now!!

Cheers

The Moose

[Sheets Tabuer]

You do know that NI is part of the UK right?

[The Moose]

Sheets Tabuer said:

You do know that NI is part of the UK right?

Indeed!!

These are the sorts of things that I worry about - not being able to run my phone/laptop therefore do work!!

Cheers

The Moose

[srebbe64]

Worth a visit to the Falls Road - remember to take a picture of the Pope to hand out.
Don't visit any pubs because the locals are so unwelcoming.
They use Chinese 4-pin plugs at 440 volts.
The currency is German Marks.
Mobile phones are charged at Himalayan tariffs.

HTH

[oldbanger]

Don't really know Belfast that well, but there was rioting in the suburbs of N Belfast on Monday eve so best avoid (not the greatest area anyway).

City centre is pretty safe and fairly cosmopolitan.

Mobile costs are no different to phoning from Wales/Scotland etc.

Paper money is different (coins the same as everywhere else in the UK), and although legal tender in the rest of the UK many places will refuse to take it outside of NI so it's best to try not to bring too much back.

[irish boy]

Lol don't worry you'll have no extra charges on your services! Merchant hotel beautiful for dinner used to be a bank, not cheap though. zen also recommend, good food/atmosphere and cheaper. How long are you over for? Lots to do over here to fill a couple of days!

Edited by irish boy on Thursday 16th July 00:50

[Man-At-Arms]

just walk everywhere saying:
'top o the mornin to ya!'
and 'to b shure !'

i'm sure everyone will love you

[The Moose]

Thank you for the (mostly) helpful advice!!

Any other suggestions as to where to go??

Cheers

The Moose

[JuniorD]

The Moose said:

Mods, please leave this here, at least for a bit as I'm flying out very shortly and need a bit of info!!

As said, I'm off to Belfast with the misses tomorrow. Just looking for a cheap and cheerful suggestion for dinner. We are staying in a hotel in downtown Belfast near Grosvenor Street. If that makes any difference?!? (won't be renting a car!).

What is good to visit. Nothing too boring?!?!

Are there any places NOT to go?

I assume they use the standard UK 3 pin plug and of course the pound!!

Will mobile rates be £££££ or is Northern Ireland not a roaming zone ( we are both on O2 ).

Erm, I think that is it for now!!

Cheers

The Moose

If you are staying near Grosvenor Road (don't think there is a grosvenor street?)then it's probably Jurys or something so you are handy enough to eateries. Personally I like Villa Italia, it's very reasonable, nice place in nice area. It's up towards Queens University about 10 mins by foot from Grosvenor. Belfast city at this time of year can be very quiet with many people opting to go away on holidays or just not go out too much. General advice would be to avoid areas with flags or one persuasion or the other but that said it's a perfect time to visit if you are into the politics/history and like seeing flags and that kind of thing.

As part of the UK you won't face roaming charges.

[The Moose]

Cheers for the info JuniorD - will wander up from Grosvenor Whatever ;-)!!

Villa Italia sounds good!! :-). Is there a 10 pin bowling alley nearby (short taxi ok)?? Yeah, I know Google etc, but just wondered about a recommendation!

Cheers

The Moose

[JuniorD]

The Moose said:

Cheers for the info JuniorD - will wander up from Grosvenor Whatever ;-)!!

Villa Italia sounds good!! :-). Is there a 10 pin bowling alley nearby (short taxi ok)?? Yeah, I know Google etc, but just wondered about a recommendation!

Cheers

The Moose

The Odyssey Bowl 20 lane bowling alley can be found at the Odyssey arena, which would be a handy taxi ride from your hotel probably. Walking back would take you through the town centre and you'd see a bit of the river Lagan. You can eat at the Odyssey arena too. There are other "things to do in Belfast" threads on PH with good advice and recommendations. See the Nortern Ireland regional forum.

[ooo000ooo]

The nearest ten pin bowling alley is in the odyssey complex http://www.odysseypavilion.com/ about 15-20 minutes walk away (ok to walk there during daylight but best to get a taxi back late at night) plenty of bars and restaurants in there as well but never ate in any of them although the red panda and indian ocean have places elsewhere and are usually pretty good.
The rioting in Ardoyne is nowhere near where you are likely to be and it's unlikely that the police would let you anywhere near the area if something's sparking off.

[The Moose]

Thanks for the info guys.

Just need to find a half way decent greasy spoon for tomorrow morning!!

Cheers

The Moose

[militantmandy]

The Moose said:

Thank you for the (mostly) helpful advice!!

Any other suggestions as to where to go??

Cheers

The Moose

Get a pint in Katy Daily's off Shaftsbury Ave. Take a walk through the Botanic Gardens\Museum on Malon Rd. Apparently you can get taxi tours of the more "colourful" areas. Never done one though...

[JuniorD]

The Moose said:

Thanks for the info guys.

Just need to find a half way decent greasy spoon for tomorrow morning!!

Cheers

The Moose

I've heard there's a place on Castle Street (town centre, opposite the side of Primark) called West that does nice breakfast and food. Never been there myself but have been told by a couple of people that it is good. Don't know if they serve the delight that is the "Ulster fry" though.

Have fun.

[boobles]

Do they use a three point plug!
That has got to be the best quote ever on PH.

[The Moose]

boobles said:

Do they use a three point plug!
That has got to be the best quote ever on PH.

ps off!!

You never know with those Northern Irish

Thanks for all the info guys - worked a treat!! Villa Italia was awesome. Odyssey bowl was a good laugh.

Cheers

The Moose

[boobles]

I laughed again after just reading that!
Feckin hillarious.... Glad you enjoyed & were you suprised to find out that they also drive on the same side of the road?