BELFAST'S culinary renaissance has been confirmed after a top city restaurant was named as one of the 'hottest' places to eat in the world.
Ox on Oxford Street was listed among the world's 'hot restaurants' by prestigious magazine Condé Nast Traveller.
The eaterie is named in a select group with just eight others - all in major cities including Milan, New York and Buenos Aires.
It is the latest accolade for Ox, which was opened by two friends, west Belfast chef Stephen Toman and Brittany-born Alain Kerloc'h, in 2013.
In September, it won a prestigious Michelin star - one of two awarded to restaurants in the city.
Condé Nast Traveller praised Ox's "warm glow" and the quick wit of its staff.
"The dining room may look sparse (whitewashed walls; chunky wooden tables) but there’s a warm glow created by big bunches of fresh flowers, happy diners and on-it staff brimming with Belfast wit.
"Come at lunchtime for scallops and daube of beef. Or wait until evening, when the Beacon of Hope sculpture lights up the riverfront outside.
"Order a pre-dinner snifter from the special gin menu, then get stuck into seriously good-looking dishes of hay-baked celeriac with garlic and sorrel, and pigeon with chestnut and coffee."
