My lovely mum offered to take me out to lunch yesterday and after some discussion we settled on Robinson and Cleaver, a restaurant and café that opened a few years ago on the site of a former department store also called Robinson and Cleaver. It’s one of my favourite places to eat in Belfast city centre. The food is always good and the restaurant itself is a light and contemporary space with white walls, pale wooden floors, stylish decorative touches and large windows flooding the place with light. When the weather is good, you can sit out on the terrace and enjoy a cocktail al fresco while admiring the views to City Hall and the Victorian buildings that surround it.
As the weather was not so good , we contented ourselves indoors with a bottle of rose, a light lunch and plenty of chit chat. I opted for a delicious leek and cashel blue cheese filo tart garnished with fresh rocket and pine nuts. We then shared a sticky toffee pudding between the two of us – sadly no picture as mum dived in before I could grab my phone!
Perhaps what I like most about this place is its heritage. Robinson and Cleaver was originally quite an up market department store. Known as the ‘old lady’ it is a beautiful Victorian building which opened its doors in 1888 and became renowned for its personal service, attractive window displays and a stunning marble staircase. I remember back in the 1970s my mum took me once or twice just to look at the interior – we never bought anything as it was all very expensive but it did look incredibly glamorous. Sadly, the store closed down in the early 1980s and the name faded from our minds until thankfully part of it reopened as this restaurant just a few years ago. Of course, the original store has gone but there are old black and white pictures everywhere harking back to the store’s heyday.
Looking at these pictures, it makes me feel nostalgic – it was so chic and glamorous and I imagine the staff must have felt very privileged to work there. Of course, times change and by the early 1980s the store was perhaps looking a little old fashioned. Soon after it closed new stores like Next and Principles moved in but nothing as grand as the original Robinson and Cleaver. I can’t help thinking how lovely it would be to have a department store like this in Belfast now – I think a little bit of glamour and style would be welcomed by both locals and tourists alike. At least in the meantime, we have these pictures to remind us of this grand old lady.

If you are ever in Belfast, Robinson and Cleaver is well worth a visit. When we were there it was packed with people and the whole place had a nice relaxed vibe to it.. It’s a great central spot and this ‘old lady’ is now a lovely mix of old and new Belfast all in one – contemporary food, Victorian architecture and social history. A great example of how Belfast is changing and moving with the times.
You can find out more at robinsonandcleaver.com
Amazing Post! I love it!
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Thanks for stopping by and for your lovely comments.
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Great post. I remember the old staircase so well, such a pity it had to go. I can also envisage some of the staff who always seemed to be coiffured rather more than the women in all the other stores!
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Yes so true. Seemed a little too posh for me as a kid but I wish the store was there now
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Great review, superbly written. Haven’t been in there in a while. I remember them having a large traybake selection! 😄
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Thank you so much. Im fond of a good traybake myself. Making some fifteens this evening as it happens 😊
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Hi Paula – Thanks for your like (City Lights 3).I have enjoyed going through your posts. The Robinson and Cleaver one was particularly nostalgic. I went to Queen’s in the mid 40’s so knew the city well – left Ireland in 1970 for NZ and have had to be content with the very odd visit since then. The eating establishments have certainly come a long way. Have you looked at the blog belfastfoodman at all? I have a strong liking for Belfast’s Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Des.
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Hello Des. Lovely to hear from you all the way from NZ. Thanks for your comments. Will check out that blog as I do like my food and trying out new venues ! Have been looking at your blog this morning – loving those pictures of Belfast. I’ll be showing them to my Dad later on today.
Paula
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Thank you for following my blog. I hope you will get some enjoyment from the mix of photography and history ancient and modern. I have an affection for Victorian and Edwardian buildings and Belfast has been well supplied with them. Des.
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