Bold new look for Belfast’s Shu

Bold new look for Belfast’s Shu

Long-established Belfast restaurant, Shu, is to celebrate its 20th anniversary by investing £1m on a luxury re-fit.

The popular eatery on the Lisburn Road will re-open its doors to the public on October 9 with three different style elements all under one roof.

The multi-award-winning venue originally opened in October 2000 and since lockdown, the team has worked hard with local building firm, McCue Fit Out, to commence a complete redesign of the entire building, including expansion into the neighbouring property.

SHU itself will remain on the main ground floor while the bright and airy top floor extension will become The Upper House, designed for flexible private dining. The venue’s atmospheric basement will be relaunched as Jul’s.

With an enhanced bar and dining space, Jul’s will have DJ performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. The new Sunday afternoon offering will focus on live jazz played on the house piano.

Alan Reid, co-owner of SHU says that he’s delighted to be able to invest in the restaurant’s ‘next chapter’:

“This huge financial investment is testament to the quality of our food and hospitality, the hard work of our team and the loyalty of our guests throughout the years,’ he adds. ‘We are confidently emerging from the pandemic lockdown, which has been the greatest-ever challenge to the local and global hospitality industry. We plan to come out stronger, brighter and even more confident.’

Brian McCann, head chef and co-owner, adds: ‘This refit and expansion is a sign of the strength of our brand and the local hospitality sector in general.

‘We look forward to getting back to business and giving our much-valued guests new experiences and memories as we approach our third decade in the city.’

Since launching, SHU has scooped a number of prestigious awards for its modern French-inspired cuisine, including Best Restaurant in Northern Ireland at the National Restaurant Awards in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Described by Tom Parker Bowles as ‘seriously good’, SHU currently holds two AA Rosettes and is listed in the Michelin Guide.