Northern Ireland

Michelin Star for Muddlers Club in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter brings city's total to three

The Muddlers Club in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter – one of the best meals you’re likely to have in the city. Picture by Philip Walsh
The Muddlers Club in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter – one of the best meals you’re likely to have in the city. Picture by Philip Walsh The Muddlers Club in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter – one of the best meals you’re likely to have in the city. Picture by Philip Walsh

The Muddlers Club in Belfast has been awarded a Michelin Star in the latest edition of the prestigious guide.

The announcement was made at a ceremony in London last night.

The Cathedral Quarter restaurant, named after a secret society that met there more than 200 years ago, first opened its doors in 2015.

Since then, under the direction of head chef and owner Gareth McCaughey, it has made a name for itself and won over critics and the public alike.

Earlier this year the team was recognised for ‘best customer service’ at the Irish Restaurant Awards.

Its Michelin Star brings to three the number of restaurants in Northern Ireland to have been awarded the highly-prized accolade.

Ox in Belfast’s Oxford Street has retained its Michelin star for a third year.

The Muddlers Club in Belfast
The Muddlers Club in Belfast The Muddlers Club in Belfast

Overlooking the River Lagan, the restaurant opened in 2013 and says it uses local suppliers to create world-class dishes.

Deanes Eipic in Howard Street in Belfast city centre also retained its star for a fourth year.

Head chef Alex Greene previously worked for Gordon Ramsey in upmarket Claridge’s in London.

Michael Deane is now celebrating his nineteenth Michelin Star over 23 years in four different venues.

“There are many award ceremonies these days, which people must find very confusing, but Michelin is globally recognised as the one truly objective judge of the quality and standard of restaurants”, he said.

“It’s also wonderful that our city of Belfast can now boast another Michelin Starred restaurant.

“We congratulate Chef Gareth McCaughey at The Muddler Club which now sits alongside Deanes EIPIC and OX making our city a culinary destination for the increasing numbers of visitors who are coming here.”

Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster congratulated the recipients.

“This is testament to their hard work and dedication in serving up the best quality food, offering outstanding service and creating memorable experiences for local and international customers alike,” he said.

A second Michelin star was awarded to both the Aimsir in Celbridge, Co Kildare, and The Greenhouse in Dublin, they join Patrick Guilbaud as Ireland’s only two-star restaurants. A further three restaurants in the south received their first one star, Bastion in Kinsale, Variety Jones in Dublin and the Oak Room in Adair.

It brings to 18 the number of one and two-star Michelin Star restaurants in the Republic.