McHughs Bar & Restaurant

You're drinking in Belfast's oldest building here, and McHughs makes sure you know it. The stone walls and low ceilings give this Queen's Square spot serious atmosphere – it's the kind of place that feels properly historic without being stuffy about it. The downstairs bar gets packed with a good mix of tourists doing the Cathedral Quarter crawl and locals who appreciate a well-kept pint. The food's better than your average pub grub, though nothing revolutionary. Stick to the classics like fish and chips or the Irish stew, and you'll leave happy. What really works here is the combination – decent tucker, good craic, and surroundings that actually have some stories to tell. It's touristy, sure, but there's enough substance to justify the crowds.