Paul Rankin brings heartfelt cooking to The Belmont

Paul Rankin, one of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated chefs, has returned to the kitchen with a new venture, The Belmont, focusing on simple, honest food.

Located within the Belmont Bowling Club in East Belfast, the restaurant offers a community-driven dining experience.

Opening on 31 October 2024, The Belmont marks a shift for Rankin, moving away from fine dining to a more grounded approach.

“Cooking should come from the heart,” he says. “If I’m making soups, I always make stocks from scratch. For my chowder, I start with a proper fish stock—it’s about cooking with attention, care, and love.”

His menu focuses on bistro classics and comforting chicken dishes, using local ingredients. “We’re using Irish chicken, local beef, haddock from Walter Ewing—simple things like wheaten bread and buttermilk. It’s good-quality ingredients cooked with care.”

Rankin sees The Belmont as a personal homecoming, having grown up just 200 yards away. “This side of town has always been a part of me. There’s something special about a community sports club like this. The bowling greens, the mature trees—it’s an oasis in East Belfast.”

For him, it’s not just about food—it’s about creating a welcoming atmosphere. “People joke that it’s like Coronation Street sometimes—it’s warm, friendly, no airs or graces. That suits me fine. I like the simplicity and humility of it all.”

Despite challenges like staffing shortages and rising costs, Rankin remains optimistic. “The staff and the cost of ingredients are the hardest parts,” he admits.

“But if someone is keen to learn the foundations, I’m your man. We need people with passion to keep this industry alive.”

With plans to expand into events like weddings and parties, Rankin is excited for The Belmont’s future. “You can taste the love and care that goes into it,” he says, a sentiment that continues to define his culinary legacy.

Make sure to check out our December issue for extended interview.