Cellar - Belfast

Our family visited Cellar at Belfast Castle while our sons walked up Cave Hill. The atmosphere was like a step back in time, with cobbled floors and wood beams. Our wait staff were so friendly and attentive. We all had the scones with tea and coffee. They were big, fresh and delicious. After our sons got back we then ordered lunch. Everything looked and tasted amazing. I read the reviews and expected a poor experience but I can tell you our experience was wonderful!

I 'm currently in the grounds of Belfast Castle as I write this review. What we experienced today was nothing short of awful. Lack of customer service. Had to pull our own tables together to accommodate 6 of us while strapping male waiters watched on. We had to ask for menu 's and water for the table. A table that arrived after us were served promptly?! We placed our order, including the specials despite then not being on the menu (usually a sep3page attached to the menu, but APPARENTLY on a chalk board outside...somewhere! the waitress offered the specials, so we took them. Turns out the roast beef was £1 more as a special than on the menu?! The food was average, portion sizes normal. 2 of the 3 lasagnes ordered were OK, the other 1 was tough to cut through. Due to the lack of service and time it took to receive our food, I decided not to mention it or we 'd still be here tomorrow!! The menu stated cordial came with the kids meal, knowing our son we requested Fruitshoot and stated we didn 't mind paying for it. We never received it. We did receive a jug of orange cordial. When the bill came the same waitress explained that the 3x lasagnes were put through the till as Salmon Sourdough as they don 't have a specials button on the till. As my husband paid the £83 bill, I noticed there was a £3 charge for orange cordial. So, I explained to the first waitress I could see that it states on the menu this was included in the kids meal, and there was no way I was paying £3 for cordial when a litre bottle can bought for less than £1!! We received our £3 back. Here 's where it gets good... I went to the toilets and was FOLLOWED by both waitresses who tried to justify the £3 charge, telling me the specials are priced on the board at £9.95 but Salmon Sourdough was only £8.95 so she rung it through to include the cordial to bring the price up. This WAS NOT stated to us at the table, just that the lasagne was rung through as Salmon!! I offered her the £3 in front of 3-4 other patrons who were also in the public toilets. Who THE HELL follows anyone to the toilets to question £3?! May I add that I 'm heavily pregnant and using a crutch and these waitresses chose to harass me in the toilets, not at the table where my husband or anyone else in our party could have spoken up on my behalf. Very disappointed and disgusted with this treatment, won 't be returning nor recommending to anyone else.

I visited the cellar restaurant recently with a group of 6 family for a special family birthday. Obviously council cuts are glaringly obvious as the entire place was grubby, run down and being very badly managed. We ate in the cellar restaurant and the only positive was that 80% of the food was very nice. The food took a long time even though the restaurant was quiet. There were plenty of big strapping lads who worked there but none of which were even slightly interested in our table during the whole duration. Apart from firing food at us then scurrying away as quickly as possible. Even walking past the table they did everything in their power to avoid eye contact never mind make us feel welcome or check if things were OK. They obviously know how bad things are there and are embarrassed that's all I can think of to excuse that awful customer service. We had pre booked a week in advance and were left standing by the door for 10mins until I asked the CHEF coming out of the kitchen where the staff were. And I had to clear our plates away onto a nearby trolley they sat at our table for so long. No fresh cutlery offered with each course or spoons with coffees. I again helped myself from the clean cutlery by the kitchen. This place has really went downhill. Such a disappointing experience for all. Avoid like the plague.

When you walk in the front door to the Cellars it looks like you have stepped back in time with cobbles under you feet and the shop fronts whitewashed very quaint. I took my mother her for afternoon tea. We were greeted at the desk by a a very friendly staff member who showed us to our table. The Afternoon tea was lovely, we had a selection of sandwiches to start, followed by homemade scones, jam and cream, followed by a selection of sweet treats and cakes, you do not leave hungry. After on our way back to lift we found a some information about cave hill and the castle it was very interesting.

Went for afternoon tea. It was deliciously and reasonably priced. On going down to the Cellar Restaurant I noticed beer cans, bottles, dirty paper cups and a napkin with food inside, together with cutlery on the seat outside the restaurant door. Despite mentioning this to what appeared to be a senior staff member, the debris was still there 2 hours later, when we were leaving. Shocking and so easy to rectify. Food and service 6 star. Cleanliness outside minus 10