This spot appears to be doomed when it comes to opening restaurants. Paul Rankin failed (Rain city was bloody terrible). The Burger Bank failed, which is a travesty and now The Barking Dog is making its attempt. I used to work very close by and I could see that it was always packed so I decided to try it for myself. Thankfully I wasn't disappointed. I got the burger (yes, I'm 9 but more importantly it had to live up to the Burger Banks Standards and it did), it was fantastic, perfectly cooked and not at all greasy. I really must visit again and get something a little more daring. read more

I am American head and not a stranger to burger. This burger is one of the best burgers I've ever had. The marinade this bad boy for 24 hours. Absolutely delicious. read more

Barking Dog Restaurant - Modern European Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Been to this restaurant four times. First and second times I was delighted, third I was disappointed however my fourth time at the Barking Dog was a lovely experience. Tasty food and pleasant service. A full vegetarian menu - I had the gnocchi which was really good. My friend had a duck pasta. Desserts were the sticky toffee pudding and creme brûlée - delicious. Finally a couple of cocktails which were heavenly. It's a little bit pricey but a nice spot - makes for a very enjoyable evening out. read more

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Being a newly recruited carnivore, I have so far managed to avoid eating burgers, I wasn't a fan of the texture, all just a bit overwhelming. But having am recently attended the Yelp Burger Off with my bf and friend Holly and having tried a few samples of the great burgers Belfast has to offer, I felt it was time to dip my toe into the unknown and try a proper burger, all on my own. And what better place than the winner of the Best Burgers in Belfast, The Barking Dog. We were greeted and shown to our table by an very enthusiastic and friendly waiter. You can tell they are proud of their award as it was the first thing he told us, "we have recently won an award for our signature Shin Burger!" So we had a few of their tapas to start, smoked sausage and fennel, crispy beef in an alioi sauce, and a goats cheese salad. Good value at 3 for £9 and just enough to keep our appetites at bay while we waited for our mains. The bf ordered their main pasta special, spicy sausage in a tomato sauce with penne pasta. I ordered the shin burger with chunky chips and it was really delicious, massive portion, and perfectly cooked. Even though I couldn't finish it (too big!) I think I made the right decision for my first proper burger, I'll definitely be back to try it again. Good value for money and a lovely intimate atmosphere, the place was packed for a Sunday night so I would recommend booking ahead. They had a number of cocktails on offer, unfortunately I didn't get to sample any this time around but I had a glass of their red recommeded by the waiter and it was lovely full bodied and a good accompaniment to my meal. read more

Absolutely great! Came here for lunch , the burger was phenomenal and so was the service . read more

Barking Dog Restaurant - Modern European Near Me - Belfast, BFS

The shin burger is in fact amazing. One of the nicest gastropubs I've been in and with lovely staff to boot. So although the shin burger was incredibly tender and delicious, my preference (is it because I'm American? Ahhh) is for a burger to be medium rare and to have a strong smoked or chargrilled flavor. I'm not sure how this preference for a burger of mine was born, but because of the combination of meats in the shin burger, it couldn't be made medium rare -- what it tasted like was an incredibly tender piece of meatloaf on a bun. The fries were lovely and crisp and the pork belly appetizer was excellent as well. Make a reservation on open table. Easy to get there with Uber or a cab. If I'm back in Belfast, I'll be going back. read more

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Incredible meal! Amazing atmosphere. One of the best meals of our entire trip around Ireland!

I've been here a few times over the last few years, and have never been disappointed. On my last visit a few days ago, I had another excellent meal. To start, we shared a selection of tapas. The portions were small, but really tasty. My main was definitely the highlight - a beef shin burger. I had been warned that it "wasn't very burger-y", in that it was more like a slow cooked beef roll, but that was fine with me as it was delicious. It was also massive. For desert I shared a sticky toffee pudding, which probably could have been a little stickier, but overall I left feeling very satisfied. I was also pleased to see they they have now started selling a good selection of local ales. I very much enjoyed the "Farmageddon IPA". read more

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Woof! The Barking Dog makes my tail wag. I really enjoyed this restaurant and will definitely go back. We booked at very short notice and had to persuade them to take the booking for 8 people. On the night only 6 turned up but the manager was very understanding and even laughed at my lame joke about bringing along my 2 imaginary friends to make up the numbers. I know, but after 2 drinks I think I am fabulously witty. The food was great and started brilliantly with salt and pepper scampi which came in a generous pile and was quirkily served on a wooden board. I pinched a bit of someone's crab cake which was also really good. Next I had crab linguine and although I can vouch for the impeccable service up to this point, after that I'm really not sure what happened. Possibly my second bottle of wine, who knows. The rest of the night will be lost forever but I know that my first two courses were brilliant. The fact that I can remember them means they must have been good! Next time I will drink less and eat more, especially desert. read more

In this very building not so long ago, they had a wonderful little place called Gourmet Burger (not quite the same as Victoria Square but along those lines). It was a particular favourite of mine because the burgers were huge and the people were lovely. However, as is often the case with life, they left me crying in the street as they waltzed off down to a posh shopping complex. Enter the Barking Dog. A nice, chic, clean and efficient restaurant that is almost perfect but there are still one or two things they need to iron out. Firstly the price of a meal for two came to more than £50, which however nice it was, is still way too expensive. I can't justify such a price. First point. Secondly, the menu was a very small, (detailed) little menu which didn't give you that much choice. For instance, if you wanted chicken, you had one chicken dish. If you wanted lamb or duck, you had one solitary lamb or duck dish to choose. Second point. The highlight was some excellent mash and guiness combo which I would love to attempt but I get a feeling it will end up as lumpy guinness. And no matter what I drink, I'm not touching lumpy guinness. Not again... There are a few things, like I said, that need ironed out but all in all it is a good place if you want to stretch your budget a little bit. read more

The Barking Dog is a fairly new restaurant, in the same site as the previous businesses of The Gourmet Burger Bank, and Rain City before that. I used to love the Burger Bank and mourned its demise. I was told of plans for the new restaurant and was openly sceptical. Not another poncey, overpriced BT9 affair, I thought. My scepticism was forgotten about upon my first visit. Fittingly, they still do a lovingly crafted burger that is, I'm told, gorgeous. I still haven't tried it because every time I go in, the fish of the day always sounds unmissable (last time, it was grilled halibut with super-garlicky green beans with lemon). A mainstay of their menu is is their amazing chorizo, chicken, red pepper and white bean salad. I wonder how they get their salad leaves so soft and flavoursome... Butter and salt probably. They always seem to have strawberries with champagne jelly and white chocolate ice cream on the dessert menu - very nice indeed. Anyway. While the restaurant does look poncey, overpriced and BT9-y, the staff are friendly and the atmosphere is very relaxed. And considering that the food is high-end stuff, The Barking Dog won't obliterate your bank account. read more

Barking Dog Restaurant - Modern European Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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I absolutely love the Barking Dog. There. I've said it. I had been here before when it was the Gourmet Burger place, and I knew it had been taken over and renamed the Barking Dog, and there my interest ended, until I was invited to a night out there last week. There was a group of five of us, and despite the fact that we arrived half an hour late for our sitting due to unforseen circumstances, we were greeted warmly and shown to our table. We had the same waitress all night who was extremelty professional and attentive at all times, despite the busy restaurant, she made sure we wanted for nothing. On the recommedation from one of our party who had eaten there before, I had the beef shin burger, done medium, which was absolutely and completely the most delicious burger I have ever had! It was done to perfection, with onion marmalade, cheese and a large sourdough bap. I'm already dreaming about my next one! read more

Ate here for my birthday with the hubby and the food was beautiful! He had the shin burger and I had the fish...was one of the nicest meals I've ever had the pleasure of having! Restaurant itself was chilled out, welcoming and the staff were all lovely read more

What a lovely restaurant! My family and I came here for dinner last night. The food was excellent. I got to sample most of the appetizers, the burger, and the brownie ice cream sundae. The food was great, the wine selection was good and the staff were friendly and welcoming. I highly recomend. read more

I visited this restaurant with a group of 12 guys. It's hard to keep large groups happy, but I'm pleased to say that nobody had a bad thing to say about this place. The food is outstanding; the kitchen does some very impressive versions of dishes you think you've had too many times before. Also, the cocktail bar upstairs is a fine place to wash down a cracking meal. read more

Really really good food! I had 3 tapas which were all extremely delicious. My husband and I ate the gniocci and the steak specialA both fabulous. We also ordered the pineapple tartin and Carmel bread pudding. Omg so good. read more

Had dinner here our first night in Ireland. Awesome place that accepts reservations but made an exception for our group of 4. Our waiter Catalin was fun and prompt. The food was exactly what we were craving. Would definitely recommend! read more

So good, we came here 2 nights in a row! Ordered very different things both nights and everything we had was amazing! Wine, beer, appetizers, main courses, desserts...nothing disappoints!!!! And they take reservations through Open Table---bonus! Thank you for everything..both nights! Service--outstanding! Food--outstanding! read more

Barking Dog have a dedicated Vegetarian menu which is delicious and I'd especially recommend the gnocchi as it's beautiful. There's also lovely cocktails for dessert. Service is always really good. Chilled, relaxed vibe. Would recommend. read more

Love love love this place. Lovely atmosphere, accommodating and phenomenal quality food. It's a must visit in the area!

While out walking the beatiful City of Belfast we discovered this nice place to eat lunch. The outside patio was so inviting, friendly and surrounded with colorful manicured plants and a large tree, we decided to have a cold beer with lunch. I had three of the toppas, all we're good but the glazed short ribs were my favorite. My wife had a traditional fish and chips. The fish was fresh and the chips were wedge cut both were yummy. Thank you!! read more

The property the Barking Dog is in has changed hands at least three times in the last four or five years. I first remember it as a newly opened Rain City. That was one of Paul Rankin's slightly unsuccessful attempts to bring a bistro feel to south Belfast, cheaper food than his flagship restaurant at the time, Roscoffs. Next was the Gourmet Burger. Mutton dress as lamb would be the best way to describe the food on offer. A multitude of different burgers, beef, chicken, lamb and duck, however each as bland, dry and processed tasting as the next. Lesson, if you are going to specialise in burgers get them right (The Burger Joint in New York could certainly teach them a thing or two) After that long preamble the Barking Dog is now the current tenant and in my two trips I've been happily content on one occasion and overwhelmed on the second. I was there only last week with my aunt and girlfriend and hadn't eaten all day.... it's always a good start. First of all the restaurant is a warm, welcoming and comfortable place to eat. Solid rough wood furnishings, simple layout, suitable lighting and candles. I started with a home-made ham hock, piccalilli and sour dough bread. Flaky chunks of well seasoned ham nestling in rich jelly surrounded by fresh herbs. The piccalilli was the star of the show though. A simple combination of pickled onions, raw cauliflower, green beans doused in a light, turmeric and chilli spiced sauce. I had a pint of Whitewater's Barking Brew (specifically made for the restaurant and a bastardised version of their standard Belfast Lager) The main was superb. My passion for steak knows no bounds, I've had all cuts across the world and I have a good palette for a well-aged, well seasoned beef with good provenance. This rib-eye with chunky chips and a bearnaise sauce was fantastic. Well seared fat, crisp outside with a deep, blood-riddled dark burgundy centre. Dense, port-like richness (almost touched on good venison) and moist beyond belief. The bearnaise was superbly buttery, herbed and rich. All washed down with a nice little cabernet sauvignon. Prices are at the medium-high area of restaurants in the city and south Belfast but I really do think you get what you pay for in this case. Th rib-eye was £17, most started at £12 and peaked at £22 for an 8oz fillet. Go try. read more

Great food and great gluten free options. Great service and for young children they bring out kids utensils and crayons.

This food was amazing!! I had the lamb gnocchi and my husband had the shin burger. We are every single bite and savored each one. Delicious!! We also tried three tapas - goat cheese, pork, and short ribs. They were delicious as well! read more

I had the shin burger, which was very good, nice atmosphere in the restaurant and really enjoyed the cider I got, it had a slice of Granny Smith apple in it which was a real nice touch, will b back! read more

My wife and I tried this place last night and were seated promptly. Our waiter was super friendly and courteous and described the meals thoroughly. I had the squid ink ravioli and my wife had two starters as a main--the crispy goat cheese fritter and the salt and pepper scampi. All these dishes were fantastic. We were attended to well throughout the experience. We will definitely go again. read more

Great venue, especially for Sunday lunch in my opinion. I've frequented the building in many of it's former guises, including Mr Rankin's Rain City Restaurant, and I can safely say that the Barking Dog is every bit as good! Love the relaxed atmosphere and the Tapas is a great way to try a mix of all things wonderful with a cocktail on the side. It would be rude not to! read more

Without a shadow of a doubt my favourite restaurant in Belfast; it's the only one I've come to alone just to eat. Think comforting gastropub food done exceptionally well with a few interesting twists and really nice staff. Moreover, the same food in London would cost double; it's extremely good value. I've been here at least 10 times, most recently on Friday, and it's never disappointed. They have a solid roster of dishes as well as daily specials for a bit of spontaneity. Starters include crab on sourdough toast and the best pork belly bites I've ever tasted! Usual mains include the famous beef shin burger and, often, fish and chips. Even the sides are phenomenal. The chips are cooked in the fat of some unfortunate animal made delicious by a combination of evolution and selective breeding, probably a goose or duck. On Friday I had duck leg, beetroot and spelt risotto which was amazing. As a sticky toffee pudding fan, it's difficult for me to try anything else, especially when it's as well-executed, but occasionally I've wandered over to the ice cream and crème brulee selections and have been equally satisfied. The Barking Dog may have won the best burger in Belfast, but I think their Sunday roast is their real shining star and undoubtedly the best in the city. Perfectly rare sirloin, a Yorkshire pudding the size of your head and, finally, carrots that could convince me to turn vegetarian (how do they bloody do it?). I'm also a big fan of their whiskey sour and my girlfriend loves their amaretto sour and espresso martini. read more

Been a few times and really love the atmosphere , food & wine fantastic ! Staff very helpful

Located in a nice neighborhood. Appeared to be pretty popular but we managed to get a table. Partner liked the number of options on the veg menu, even though most of it was pasta. Nice staff, good food. read more

Went here for a lovely Sunday dinner; food was excellent, service was very good; would highly recommend!

Lovely restaurant, great food. Interesting menu, I had see what the big deal was about the Shin Burger on my second visit and I'm glad I did. Tasty juicy deliciousness! I think everyone who goes to the Barking Dog orders the shin burger. The staff were very friendly read more

Have been to the barking dog several times before and have never had a single complaint. Went for a Sunday lunch with a friend before a gig, the Sunday roast set us up nicely. Lovely atmosphere and the staff are friendly and attentive. read more

Amazing tapas bites! Amazing mains! Lovely setting to have a meal. Bit more on the pricey side but worth every penny!

Food was fine but expensive compared to similar places. Was busy on a Saturday night and had nice crowd. Got charged a fiver for a few crappy hard slices of bread as a starter which was bit annoying. read more

Great tasty food and friendly staff. Had thought of everything even kid appropriate cutlery and cups.

Finally tasted the beef shin burger yesterday and I'm still thinking about it! The meat is shredded / pulled as opposed to minced; making it deliciously juicy and soft. My partner opted for the seabass special and was also impressed with the presentation, textures and potent flavours. Tapas dishes, which we opted for as a starter, seemed to vary considerably in size so it may be worth asking staff for more info on ordering. The restaurant itself is intimate and pleasantly decorated. read more

Absolutely love this place, its my and my girlfriends go to fancy night out.....the food is impecable and the cocktails are define!!The beef shin burger is like no other!! Will always return to the barking dog when we are celebrating or just feeling flush. read more

One of if not the best restaurants in Ireland. The Barking Dog offers great food at great prices. Cocktails to die for and brilliant service. read more

Fantastic restaurant: excellent service, delicious food, and a lovely atmosphere. Mix and match furniture, wooden floors, and nice design details. My favourites: salt and pepper scampi, fish pie, the burger, and the sweet potato ravioli. read more