Stix & Stones City Centre, located at 44-46 Upper Queen Street in Belfast, is renowned for its premium steak and seafood offerings. Established in May 2014, the restaurant provides diners with the distinctive 'steak on a stone' experience, allowing guests to cook their own dry-aged steaks on pre-heated volcanic stones. This method ensures each bite is tender and succulent. The menu features a variety of locally sourced seafood dishes, including Strangford Mussels and Pan Fried Cod. The restaurant emphasizes sourcing ingredients from local suppliers and works exclusively with Irish farmers for premium beef. In addition to the main restaurant, Stix & Stones operates a butchery next door, where they hand-cut and dry-age every steak, allowing customers to purchase their signature cuts to enjoy at home.
What each source says
- Google 4.4 2,356
- Tripadvisor 4.5 2,105
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-26.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Delicious Food Beyond Steak While known for steak, the restaurant offers a variety of other well-received dishes including seafood, mussels, and desserts. The pre-theater menu is often cited as a great value with generous portions.
- Excellent Service Many reviewers consistently praise the friendly, attentive, and efficient service provided by the staff. Servers are often described as knowledgeable, personable, and going above and beyond to ensure a positive dining experience.
- High-Quality Steak Experience The restaurant is known for providing high quality steaks, and for many diners, it is the best steak they have ever eaten. The meat is very flavorful, tender, and can be paired with a variety of sauces and sides.
- Unique Hot Stone Cooking Patrons enjoy the novelty and interactive experience of cooking their steak on a hot stone at the table. This allows diners to customize the level of doneness to their exact preference.
- Warm and Inviting Atmosphere The restaurant is often described as having a warm, cozy, and vibrant atmosphere, making it suitable for both special occasions and casual dining. The ambiance contributes positively to the overall dining experience.
Criticised
- Additional Costs Some find the pricing unclear, citing extra charges for sauces and substitutions. Diners may feel misled when advertised prices do not include expected accompaniments.
- Inconsistent Steak Quality A few reviewers have noted the steak being tough and not meeting expectations. While this is not a common complaint, it indicates a potential for inconsistency in the quality of the meat.
- Potential for Overcooking While the hot stone is fun, some diners find it difficult to cook the steak to their liking. The steak can quickly become overcooked, especially for those unfamiliar with the cooking method.
- Slow Service at Times Some reviewers have reported slow service, particularly during busy periods. This includes long waits for food orders and delays in clearing tables, which may detract from the overall dining experience.
- Smoke and Heat The hot stone cooking method can generate a significant amount of smoke and heat within the restaurant. This may lead to discomfort for some diners, with burning eyes and clothes smelling of steak afterwards.
The longer read
Stix and Stones City Centre receives high praise for its unique dining experience, quality food, and friendly service. A standout feature is the steak-on-stone concept, where customers cook their steak to their preference on a hot stone at the table. This interactive element is frequently mentioned as a fun and memorable experience, particularly appealing to meat lovers. The restaurant offers a variety of steak cuts, with the fillet and sirloin receiving frequent positive mentions. The quality of the beef is consistently lauded, with many reviewers claiming it's among the best steak they've ever had. Customers appreciate the ability to customize the cooking of their steak to their exact liking using the provided hot stone, with the staff explaining this process to make sure they have a perfect dining experience. Beyond steak, the menu also features seafood options, with the mussels and fish of the day also receiving positive feedback. Generous portion sizes are a common observation, especially for starters like the mussels. The side dishes, particularly the hand-cut chips (often served with parmesan and bacon mayo), Cajun fries, and croquettes, are also well-regarded and frequently mentioned. Desserts such as the baked Alaska, crème brûlée, and sticky toffee pudding also get high marks. The restaurant is noted for its welcoming and attentive staff, who contribute significantly to a positive dining experience. Many reviewers specifically name servers (such as Johnny, Patrick, Marana, Pablo, Oscar, Charlie, Chris, and Adam) for their exceptional service, friendliness, and knowledge of the menu. The staff is consistently praised for going above and beyond to accommodate requests and make special occasions memorable, even providing surprise birthday desserts. The atmosphere is generally described as warm, cozy, and vibrant. However, some reviewers have noted that the restaurant can get smoky and hot due to the steak-on-stone cooking method, especially when busy. A few reviewers mention slow service at times, particularly when the restaurant is crowded. The pre-theatre menu is frequently highlighted as offering excellent value, with a good selection of dishes at a reasonable price. While some found the drinks to be expensive, others appreciated the varied drinks menu, including 0% alcohol options and house-brewed beer. The central location can make parking challenging and costly.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 28 9031 9418
- Website
- stixandstonesbelfast.co.uk
| Mon | 15:00 - 22:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 15:00 - 22:00 |
| Wed | 15:00 - 22:00 |
| Thu | 15:00 - 22:00 |
| Fri | 15:00 - 22:00 |
| Sat | 15:00 - 22:00 |
| Sun | 14:00 - 21:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.4 against a median of 4.4 across the 11 places to eat we hold for Lincoln Quarter, where the most-reviewed is Nu Delhi Restaurant Lounge.
Still deciding?
- What are the signature dishes or most popular menu items at Stix and Stones City Centre?
- What is the general atmosphere and vibe like at Stix and Stones City Centre in Belfast?
- Is it necessary to make a reservation at Stix and Stones City Centre, and how easy is it to book a table?
- Does Stix and Stones City Centre offer vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options for diners?
- How easy is it to find and access Stix and Stones City Centre in Belfast, and is parking available nearby?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.