the chester in Belfast

I was critical of the The Chester for its many young barmen who had no customer service. I was therefore pleased to see an older bar person in charge,who was so hard working actually obsessive cleaning. However this was short lived as this person / woman was not friendly actually everything she was asked for was a chore, surely her job I went tonight because I had really bad news and was trying to lift myself. Instead I was depressed by sour puss and unacceptable service. Sorry but do you not know the reason why people go out is to lift themselves.? We left and went to the always excellent Lansdowne.. Chester please learn make people need to be felt good and invited. My advice get rid of the OCD cleaner and invest in someone who is a professional person engaged in making the experience a pleasant nite out. Won't be back until staff changed Will

Such a lovely meal we had would deff be back with great service

Dinner was absolutely delicious. The chowder is gorgeous (but get some tobasco sauce in for it). I also had the nacho chicken burger from the specials menu which was the size of my head and throughly knocked me out. I was too stuffed for dessert but had a wee nibble of the school dinner style cake and custard which was stunning. That really brought me back. Staff were lovely and attentive. If the music was just a touch lower while the food is being served so people can still talk without shouting that would improve things for me.

Called in for a spot of lunch plenty to choose from on the menu. Had steak sandwich with peppercorn sauce and chips beautiful cooked 🤤 and staff very friendly will be back again 👍

Had meal with some of the family food was very good and staff very friendly and helpful will go again

Great function room and buffet food was great standard lovely

Been here a couple of times before and the place never lefts down in expectation; good value for money, friendly staff and food that never disappoints. I’ve been to many places before felt I could have ate more or been left still hungry…NEVER the Chester. Always well presented, full of flavour and never lacking in portion sizing

Lovely staff, food a bit slow and not cooked to my preference

My husband and Iwent to the Chester for a bite and a couple of pints. I had an injury and was on crutches. The manager / supervisor got me a great seat immediately that was roomy, I could see the Olympics and close to the WC. The service was outstanding - recommendations, check backs, and the given time to enjoy the meal. Had the spice bag (delicious) and the bbq ribs (so tender). The team got the door for me, the assisted WC was smart and clean. Over all a top class experience for anyone let alone on crutches. Appreciated it so much - thanks lads, the only name I got was Rossa Bannon - 6pints and food for £60 was great value - thanks again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Don’t normally do reviews but the food I had was so bad I had to, my seafood chowder was fine but the burger for main was terrible

Super fast service. Friendly staff and great food. Will be back

Great day for a surprise birthday party. Food lovely, service on the whole was great, any minor issues sorted quickly. Given the size of the party, the staff managed well with no real complaints. Would recommend!

Unreal tasty food. I love the Sunday dinner. Had the jam and coconut cake for dessert. Was freshly baked and just out of oven. Beautiful.

Menu had plenty of options. Between us we went for the burger, fish and chips and the ribs. Unfortunately they were all fairly average. The chicken burger was dry and overdone. The service was a bit slow. Wouldn’t recommend it unfortunately.

Was at the restaurant on Saturday for my daughters 18th birthday. The food was absolutely delicious. Michael & the staff were brilliant & couldn't do enough for us. I will definitely be back & highly recommend this restaurant.

Best ever food and the service brilliant 👏 good for aii the staff amazing highly recommended

On my first visit since before lockdown. Definitely didn’t disappoint. All the staff were so welcoming and friendly. We were served by Michael who was just so accommodating and helpful. Thank you we will definitely be back.

Have to give 5 stars, as everytime I get out for lunch or dinner its always the first place that comes to mind. Staff are all incredibly friendly and service is great. Glad to see it back as the Chester. Food has been beautiful everytime thumbs up and compliments to the chef. Keep doing what yous are doing 🙌👌

It's the Chester, it's coming back to what it was when Joe ran it. Very good, great atmosphere.

20 pound mains, just isn't worth it. Come on people we deserve a little better than this!!!

Brilliant 70th surprise birthday party, excellent private room, the food supplied by the Chester was exceptional and the DJ was fantastic, would thoroughly recommend 😀

Staff absolutely lovely. Service fantastic. Food very good .catered very well to my grandchildren.

Lovely wee bar. Great choice of food. Will definitely be back Worth a try 🍽️

Decided on a rainy Friday afternoon to go for a wee drink and ended up getting a late lunch and a few Gins. Ordered fish goujons and a chicken tikka ciabatta. Food was excellent especially the fish. Brought the dog who was welcome. Have read the previous reviews and was surprised and I wonder have they taken the comments on board as the golf was on then the horse racing but the noise level was fine and the staff were lovely. Had a really nice chilled Friday afternoon vibe, and the value for money was excellent 😀

Had a great experience here! Luckily it was midweek so it wasn't too busy. Enjoyed cocktails, beer and some very very good food. The muscles are delicious, the steak was amazing and the rest of the groups food looked amazing. Definitely a great place.

Love this place as used to go when I was younger, but it has lost something, and the cold grey decor leaves no atmosphere in the place at all. Lacks ambience

Horrific. Don't even waste your time. I've always loved the Chester and was a regular for many years when it was the OG Chester. Booked a table for dinner, excited to see the Chester back. We got in, place looks like a dive, staff running around shouting at eachother, music blasting (and my hubby and I are metal fans, we don't shy away from loud music) but dear me, when you're trying to eat and relax you don't need that. Boxing was on the TV as well which really had me thinking I might have been living in an episode of Peaky Blinders watching men beating the unholy sh** out of eachother while enjoying a nice meal. This place needs to figure itself out. Be a bar that does bar snacks or a separate restaurant from the bar. And for the love of goodness would you please turn that music down!! The Chester was always good because it was true to itself, and you had decent but simple food served all day as well as a decent bar snack menu. The two stars are there purely for the chef who is obviously amazing as the food was great.

Spot on for food and drink, place is a bit dark to sit in all day

I have to say the best food I've eaten in a while. Mussels to Start char grilled steak (the best I've had in years) garlic potatoes etc. Pepper sauce was amazing and over all service was excellent. Definitely a wee hidden gem.

Food deplorable, "fillet steak" tasted and felt like it was left steeping in water and charged £28. £28 for a small fillet steak that probably cost them £1 to buy. Understand if it was a gordon ramsey restaurant but a bar in a working class area, disgraceful and disgusting. P.s yes the picture is in fact the entire "steak", more a steak piece

First time back at the chester in about 6 years, food was really nice 👌 but the service and hospitality we received from the staff was top quality really nice people working there def be back again with the family

Had lunch with a friend and the offer of two spirits and a mixer was too tempting not to take so we both had 3 doubles. Food was great,staff very helpful and friendly. Thank goodness we didn't have to go back to work. The experience will be repeated often, i imagine. Thank you.

We came in for lunch and were taken from the really lovely, cosy and lively front bar into a back room which honestly felt like the corridor of a nursing home :/ it really put a dampner on our experience because the food was great and the service was excellent! I'd suggest decorating that back bit to be the same as the main bar but it honestly felt so cold and soulless. It has so much potential.

Liked it bit dark and cold..but mybe that's just me ..

Jane and Michael are a class team, how they manage the place when busy is 5* good team, good spot. Chicken burger and ribs 5 🌟

Chicken stack 👌 good Guinness aswell will be bk

Hired out the room upstairs for a work do and it was a lovely room very spacious food was lovely but the drinks were expensive other than that was a good night

Great service and some great deals on selected drinks

Sorry to say but poor service... think the bar staff must have had a bad day.not many people in but still had to wait ages to get served.... too busy talking to each other. I will give the place another try to see if this was just a one off.

Food terrible honestly wouldn't go bk.

Went for Sunday lunch and food was lovely. Staff were very helpful also. Very well priced. Live music started at 7pm and we stayed longer than planned as was very good.

The service was great. Food is excellent and plenty of it.

Food is delicious, however the prices are too high considering the portion sizes are very small.

Decent pints of Guinness, nice friendly staff and a lovely interior, nice wee fire goin

The food was good. £50.50p for 2 fish & chips, 1 carbonara and 1 Diet Coke. Asked for a glass of water for my 86 year old mother in law and it came in a Harp pint glass with a straw…..the music was deafening. I asked them to turn it down which they did but it was turned up even louder 5 min later. I asked them again and they did turn it down again. Staff don’t wear uniforms so it’s difficult to identify staff. They were very pleasant although no one came to ask us whilst eating if we needed anything. An average experience

Nice, traditional style bar/restaurant. Stopped for an impromptu lunch. Apparently it has just reopened; I'm assuming under new management but it was my first time there so unsure. Food was good, service was pleasent, but somewhat forgetful with orders. Was quite empty at the time. Non alcoholic beers available (Peroni & Guinness) Overall, I would likely return if in the area

Lovely Christmas dinner, great service and good atmosphere. The drinks are expensive! Which let the experience down a bi, £8.50 for a rum and coke and £19 for bottle white zinfandel, you expect that from bar/restaurants in city centre but out of town

We were over in Chester on Saturday 2nd December, we were celebrating my husband's dad's 90th birthday. There was 28 of us and we had an amazing day. Food was great staff could not do enough definitely be back 😋 😀

We were in for the Grinch experience, a party of 5 adults and 6 kids. There was plenty of parking available on site when we arrived. We were welcomed by the manager and shown to our seats. The staff were very pleasant for the entire time. Servers brought menus over quickly and got our drink and food orders efficiently. When all food was brought out, all meals were piping hot. The portions were a good size. Food was really tasty

Great atmosphere great service friendly people friendly staff

Delicious pepper chicken with champ and gravy. Ten times better then the food under the previous management. Will definitely return.

Fantastic food, lovely place, Chef's are brilliant. Would highly recommend and will be returning. Lovely restaurant and great atmosphere. Mo

One off the best burger I’ve had I don’t know who is in the kitchen working there magic but omg ill definitely be back and tell everyone I know

Just went for Sunday lunch. Soup came out freezing. Both ordered roast beef,dinners were not that warm broccoli was raw. We were offered free desserts. Both ordered cake and custard. Both not warm and mine had a teaspoon of custard on it. We wanted to support local but will never be back.

Public event with Wednesday Adams for Halloween. Daughter absolutely loved it. Staff were brilliant and great craic. And food was top nosh

Homely bar located five minutes from belfast city centre, welcoming and helpful staff. The food was nice, they have a descent menu with something to cater for your taste buds.

Bring back the old Chester when it was owned by eamon diamond when you could get a good meal with excellent service in a restaurant setting not a noisy bar. Wouldn't recommend it or go back there. Try biddy duffys on a town Rd far superior.

Disappointed. Honey chilli chicken started was cold and chicken was so tough just could not eat it. Not the same as it was years ago, really expensive, not alot of options to pick from the menu. Feels really dark and cold inside with more focus on a bar atmosphere than restaurant.

First time in the Chester not impressed . Staff need to be educated in disability. I am a deaf person and the waitress was very rude in her attitude.

No atmosphere looks like not finished 😕 food not great not be back

Beautiful food, fantastic staff and a super atmosphere will definitely be back

Meal was absolutely amazing staff were also very accommodating and nice pint of Guinness great will definitely be returning to my favourite place of the past decor amazing well done Mr Bannon.

Had a lovely lunch here with my Daughter and hubby. The Chester has been recently bought over,and what a change,food is top notch service outstanding, it had been in decline for a long time, I wish the new owners the best,they have gotten off to a great start

As soon as I walked throu the doors, I knew I'd made a mistake, I found the place to be dull & uninviting with the sound of football perforating my earholes, food arrived and was cold. My Guinness made me feel that I'd be safer drinking a drop of the river Lagan. I can't see this gaff lasting if someone doesn't take charge & make some serious changes. Aidan

As soon as I walked throu the doors, I knew I'd made a mistake. The place looked dull & uninviting with the sound of football perforating my earholes. Thinking a pint & some good food would make up, we ordered, food arrived and was cold, my Guinness made me feel I'd be safer drinking a drop of the river lagan. I can't see this gaff lasting, if someone doesn't take the reins & get things in order. Suki,, North Belfast

Thank god they’ve got new management in! Needed rescued and so far massively impressed. Gorgeous food and great vibe.

Had food a few weeks ago in the Chester and was really nice. Returned yesterday and was massively disappointed. Ordered a chicken burger. When I cut through it, it was raw inside. Made a member of staff aware. She brought it into the kitchen and came back to say the chef said it “was cooked but could have been doing with being in the fryer longer” … which means it wasn’t cooked. Was offered a new one and refused. Was told that the item would be taken off the bill. Was disappointed with the service and reaction I got to chicken that was pure pink in the middle.

A real cut above the usual Belfast bar - spacious, good selection of beers and fun staff! A definite recommend!

Booked a table in the recently opened Chester. We were so disappointed we were not told when booking, that the restaurant was not opened. We were sat in a very noisy bar with a TV blasting as we ate. No vegetables anywhere on the menu is absolutely ridiculous. Our friendly server told us that they only serve veg on Sundays! We ate a main course and left. We appreciate that it's not too long opened and things need to settle down. Needs many improvements. Hope its soon!

Was at the Chester on 16/09/23 for food. Food was lovely and good size portion staff were lovely and the atmosphere was good will defo be back and would recommend.

We really really wanted our first visit back to the Chester to be great but it was disappointing. The portions were small and the food was pricey. The appearance of the food was great but the food itself was a bit bland… 😞

Firstly it is great to see The Chester reopened and getting a decent crowd back. However the inside Is far too gloomy and needs brightened up. Also can the bar staff please get prices of drinks correct .I realise there are two sizes of wine offered by the glass ,having said that we were charged different prices for the same size wine and this has happened on various visits. Either some staff don't get the price right or it is a deliberate overcharge ,particularly when paying by card when no receipt is offered. Please do better otherwise patrons will do as they did before with the previous owners. and stay away .

Got sampi was very small not worth the money had better at home was disappointed

Nice place, good food, nice service, I recommend it😉👍

Visited on 2/9/23 for food and drinks. Food was delicious and drinks very reasonably priced. Very attentive staff and good atmosphere. Will be back.

Nice atmosphere, friendly and professional staff. Food 👍 value great!

Good service but food wasn't nice. I ordered peppered chicken dirty fries. I got luke warm lattice fries with pepper sauce and chicken strips on top. Most definitely not dirty fries as i know them. Few tobacco onions on top. . Disgusting. Friend ordered chicken tenders, which came hot with luke warm garlic potatoes with a few lettuce leaves. We were sorley disappointed with this meal as the Chester had been recommended. Don't waste your money £28 wasted.

Had a great night will be back great to see the Chester opened again

Where do I begin just back from having the best food I've had in a long time. We decided to drop in for a bite to eat and boy were we impressed. Its been taken over again and I can tell ya for the better this is an absolute gem of a place. The staff alone had me hooked from the minute you step through the door they are so charming and attentive can't do enough for ya we had the pleasure of meeting the head chef and the manager on are vist Michael and Shauan make a great team. The food was amazing full of flavour I had the Seafood Chowder it was too die for my friend had the loaded fries honestly every bite was powerful. Real food for real people great for families too. So glad to see it reopened I have high hopes for this place would recommend it 110% .

Called in for a pint to see the ‘new’ Chester. As soon as we sat down, staff member advised they needed table back. Finished drinks and left. Despite this, we decided to give it another go this week. Ordered drinks. Sat down. This time we were allowed to sit for a second round until we were told they needed table back. Just before we went to leave, staff found us another table of similar size elsewhere. Bizarre. Not sure why we were moved on. Not sure why we’d be back.

Went last night with family for a meal in the newly re-opened Chester. Best meal we have had in ages, staff were very friendly and couldn't do enough and the place was buzzing. Going back on Sunday for another feed lol.

Really enjoyed the new Chester. Lovely meal and Jane give excellent service. They have tried to brighten up the inside. While it is a mammoth task it would really add to the enjoyment of the customer

Over here for the 1st time due to work and came across this place. WOW, what a place. meal was top rate and great staff. Shame we are heading back home.

Great to see this local spot reopened again , new staff are lovely got served quickly each time , even though they are extremely busy probably because of the £4 pints! . Had a great night there and the atmosphere was lovely and felt so familiar. Welcome back :)

We had planned to have a meal and a couple of drinks . We were met at the front door with a wall of sound .. the music was deafening . In fact we couldn’t hear the barman telling us to have a seat and he’d bring us the menu .. it was all in mime . We stayed for 10 minutes during which we had to shout loudly at each other !! Please turn down the volume - people go out to meet with friends and enjoy music in the background not in your face !!

We are locals and very happy to see the Chester open again. Great that you can go into a local bar without booking a table for food... The other local bars the landsdowne and Ben madigans are running as restaurants rather than bars and very little accommodation if you just want to call in for a few drinks... The only complaint I have about the Chester is that the music is far too loud... People are coming for a drink and a chat and if the loud music continues I think it will put a lot of people off.... It's a local bar not a concert venue.

Excellent opening day. Highly recommend the new menu!!!!!

Excellent first day with new set-up. Food service and music was first class. Not expensive and highly recommend!!!

Some of the staff here are the rudest I have ever encountered. Visited twice when it was The Last Drop and decided not to return after receiving bad service with a stinking attitude by one girl in particular. After they claimed to be bringing back the ‘good old Chester’ I assumed they might have made some changes to their service but no. Arrived on Friday for a few drinks then we were asked to move to another table as I think they had messed up someone’s table booking. We were moved under a speaker and once the karaoke started it was borderline deafening, I’m all for a good time but people were covering their ears it was that loud. I went to the staff and explained to see if we could be moved elsewhere or the speaker turned down to be told by the doorman ‘Take it up with the dj’ while the servers completely blanked me. Rude and not acceptable. I believe small businesses should be supported, but to treat paying customers like that on several occasions- they deserve a bad review

Just heard the Chester bar was a night club . I will have to check it out on Saturday night. Hard to find a good night club in Belfast these days.

Food was acceptable except for the very overcooked stuffing balls and Yorkshire Pudding. Solid rocks. But the real problem was the 40 minute wait for food. Completely unacceptable. Pleasant staff and comfortable, yes, but this place has a long way to go. New management need to raise their game.

Shown to a dirty table, waited 20 minutes on a menu, waited another 15 minutes on a drink, when meal arrived it was really nice.. pity the service didn’t match the food.. left disappointed and probably won’t be back

Guinness terrible for the price they charge they need to get proper bar staff who are able to pull a proper pint and not kids who haven’t got a clue.Not the kids fault lack of training from management same low standards as the last drop only thing changed is the name how ever nothing like original chester.wont be back

Same awful staff afterthe name change. I dont know the two girls names working sat 28th. But the least helpful service staff I've come across. Rude with with attitude. My friends nor family Will be back. And we will surely spread the word and reasons why. Had a run in with one of these girls before when it was the last drop.

I've been twice for food & coffee but the quality of both was inconsistent. The first time both food & cappuccino were great but on my 2nd visit both were average at best. The menu was different as well & the food I'd gotten on the first visit ( chicken goujons in a southern fried coating) was no longer available. I ordered the replacement chicken goujons but these were lacking in flavour. The prices charged should dictate a less hit & miss nature so on this basis I won't be back in a hurry. Staff were great though on both occasions which is the reason for my 3* rating.

Very few staff, untrained, sat around talking. Brought the wrong drinks, charged the wrong prices.

I think it lacks brightness and colour (depressing)! I don't like the dark dark decor - it "looks" very dirty with everything black - doesn't make you feel very happy when out for an evening. The staff are great no issues there and the food was good when we ate there on a couple of occasions.

Had a table booked for 3.30pm today. We arrived and placed our order at 3.25pm. Got to 4.10pm and the waitress came out and told us there was no chunky chips. I know this may sound trivial but we specifically said at the start we wanted them. Hardly anyone in the restaurant either so not as if they wouldn't have known this. Wasted 45 mins waiting and had to leave with a hungry 3yo. Very disappointed, won't be trying again.

BOOKED A TABLE, GOT THERE AND WE WERE TOLD NO TABLE AVAILABLE. WE ARE LEFT STRANDED AFTER GETTING DRESSED UP AND PAYING FOR TAXIS. IT WAS A FREEZING COLD NIGHT TOO AND HAD TO STAND OUTSIDE TO WAIT ON MORE TAXIS, HORRIBLE BEHAVIOUR. THEN TO TELL US IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. THEY COULD NOT HAVE CARED LESS, DID NOT HAVE THE DECENCY OR FORESIGHT TO RING US IN ADVANCE TO INFORM US, AT LEAST THAT WAY WE COULD HAVE TRIED TO MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS. BEEN GOING IN AND OUT OF THERE FOR 20 YEARS AND SPENT A LOT OF MONEY, THERE IS NO WAY WE WILL BE GOING BACK AND WILL MAKE SURE WE LET OTHERS KNOW TOO. A LITTLE BIT OF CUSTOMER CARE GOES A LONG WAY.

The food was great and the girls serving were very welcoming.