Instead of a restaurant review this week I decided to take in the comforts of St George's Market, a Gem in our great city!
Even if you aren't a food lover there are many other delights to take in including; Arts & Crafts, Live Music or Antiques to name a few, it really is worth a visit! Let's face it, what else would you be doing on a Sunday morning at 10am?
Built between 1890 and 1896 and originally only to sell milk and eggs it was named UK's Best Large Indoor Market 2014 by the National Association of British Market Authorities, and while I walked around it soon became clear why this award was warranted!
The ever-evolving Belfast, a new multi-cultural city where all nationalities and creeds are welcomed is reflected in the stalls within the market! Even just in terms of food there is the opportunity to taste dishes from all over the world, from Paella to Crepes, local organic produce to Artisan wines, olives to fudge there really is something for everyone! Here are just some of the things I saw on my visit; Jams and Chutneys, Chocolates and Fudge, Olives and Tapenade, Fish and Fruits and so many more - you'll have to visit to see the rest!
A wee slide show showing just some of the different food stalls
To start my day I went to George's (The grill upstairs) for my breakfast, accompanied by Laurie, my mum and Aunty Shelly! I had the Market Benedict (it was amazing!!!) Laurie and my Mum had the scrambled eggs with a wheaten farl and Aunty Shelly had the award winning George's Fry with Dulse Sausages and the most amazing black pudding - this year's superfood so get it into you!
Following the grub I let the ladies go one way and I went for a potter around the other stalls on my own. The most amazing thing about visiting St George's is witnessing the talent on offer in Belfast, here you can witness local painters putting the finishing touches to their masterpieces, photographers showcasing their latest captures, countless jewellery makers, all offering something different, from antique watches to local trinkets! As well as this you can find local authors, wood crafters, retro-modern film posters (extremely cool!) custom furniture and many many more!!!
(The Adventures of SKYE are true stories about the author's dog - brilliant)
A wee bit more about food!
To end the day I got some Bailey's Fudge from 'I Love Fudge' and a cappuccino from Javaman Coffee! I spent the last 30 minutes sat beside 'The Belfast Bap Stall', who's filled sodas looked amazing and I listened to the Bookhouse Boys - a local 2 piece band who are currently working on a CD, if you haven't heard these boys you really should, I uploaded a 20 second snippet to the Facebook page - go and have a listen; superb!
Why you need to visit!
ENTRY IS FREE - put this into perspective, I once paid £15 into Thompson's nightclub, got in, couldn't see a thing, left!
Going to St George's Market really is a no brainer!
Another wee tip before I leave you, a lot of the stalls give you the opportunity to try before you buy, most will have a selection of complimentary food that you can taste, I suggest going to Jam and Olly's where you can try the chutneys, jams and Tapenades, all beautiful!
Overall a wonderful place, full of treasures, a great place for a family day out, a food shop or even a first date ;)
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