Fodor's Expert Review White's Tavern and the Oyster Rooms

White's Tavern rather trades on its reputation as "Belfast's oldest public house." It serves decent pub grub and there's live music in the downstairs bar on weekends, but for young locals the big attraction is the new alfresco White's Garden, a covered alley where patrons can drink, socialize, smoke, and vape while kept warm by patio heaters even in winter.

A roaring fire greets you as soon as you enter White's Tavern. Friendly staff serve pub grub until 8 pm, although a better bet is to head upstairs, which has been redesigned as the elegant Oyster Rooms restaurant. Its bare, thick-walled brick and high ceiling remain the same, but the culinary options step up a gear and include fresh and firm Carlingford Lough oysters, served on the half shell and dressed in vinaigrette (six for £12), steak tartare, beef and Guinness stew, pork belly, or sole. Live-music sessions are held in the downstairs bar on weekend evenings.