The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant is a gastropub in St Georges Market, Belfast. Rated 4.2 stars from 3727 Google reviews. Known for well-sourced steaks & generous portions and attentive, friendly service. Best for groups and steaks. Price range: €€.
Rankings updated May 2026
The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant
Across 3,702 Google reviews, 79% gave four or five stars.
Quick Verdict
A long-established steakhouse and gastropub with a loyal following for hearty food, excellent pints, and warm staff—worth booking ahead.
You want a traditional Belfast grill room with well-cooked steaks and a lively pub atmosphere in the city centre.
About The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant
The Morning Star is a long-established city-centre grill room and gastropub near the Cathedral Quarter, known for well-sourced steaks served on hot skillets, hearty dishes like beef and Guinness pie, and generous portions that keep diners coming back. The upstairs dining room features dark timber panelling, solid tables, and sturdy leather seating—old-school steakhouse charm with a separation from the lively bar below. Staff like Ronnie are repeatedly praised for attentive, friendly service without being intrusive. The venue excels at both lunch and dinner, with a strong beer selection (Guinness, Beamish, Murphy's), cocktails, and a curated wine list. Family-friendly and LGBTQ+ welcoming, it accommodates dogs, offers kids' menus and high chairs, and provides free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner and groups. The atmosphere balances casual comfort with a trendy, historic edge—a place where locals and tourists alike gather for Six Nations matches, beers, and bar snacks.
The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant is the neighbourhood spot done right — unhurried, unpretentious, with a wine list that gives it an edge over most of its category.
What Stands Out
Well-sourced steaks & generous portions
Multiple reviews praise 24oz, 36oz, and 48oz rump steaks served on hot skillets with trimmings; beef and Guinness pie and seafood chowder consistently described as 'fantastic' and 'amazing'.
Attentive, friendly service
Staff members like Ronnie are repeatedly highlighted as 'pleasant', 'helpful', 'attentive without being intrusive', and 'fantastic'—creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Historic steakhouse atmosphere & location
Described as 'old-school steakhouse' with dark timber panelling and solid tables; prime location near Cathedral Quarter; lively but comfortable vibe with live music and sports.
In Their Own Words
Review highlights surfaced by Google, in the language they were written
“Staff, food (I had a burger), drinks & traditional Irish atmosphere.”
“Overpriced menu, small portions, no idea about Gluten-free.”
“Beautiful pint of Guinness and service to table made the experience.”Practical Information
Opening Hours
Contact
Common Questions
How consistently good is The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant?
Across 3,702 Google reviews, 79% of visitors gave four or five stars — placing The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant among St Georges Market's most reliably rated gastropubs.
Do you need to book The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended for lunch and dinner — The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant is a popular choice in St Georges Market and tends to fill quickly, particularly at weekends.
Does The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant have outdoor seating?
Yes — The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant offers outdoor seating. Outdoor tables are popular during warmer months so arriving early or booking ahead helps.
Is The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant family friendly?
The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant accommodates families — Google visitors note facilities for children, and the casual atmosphere suits all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant
Yes. It's family-friendly and popular for groups, with a private dining room available. Reservations are recommended, especially for larger parties and dinner service.
The steaks (rump, sirloin, ribeye) are the standout, served on hot skillets with trimmings. The beef and Guinness pie and seafood chowder are also highly praised. Sunday roast and sticky toffee pudding are popular too.
Yes. The venue is known for a great beer selection (Guinness, Beamish, Murphy's), cocktails, and a curated wine list. Happy hour drinks and food are also available.
Yes. Dogs are allowed both inside and outside the venue, making it pet-friendly for a casual meal or drink.
Yes. The Morning Star has wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating throughout the venue.
Yes. Reservations are recommended for lunch and dinner, especially for groups. The venue accepts reservations and is popular for both occasions.
Also in St Georges Market
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Rankings are recalculated monthly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this month.
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