Dina Dina

On Alfred Street there’s a restaurant, decked out like Elton John and His Husband, David Furnish’s guest bathroom. On the side it says ‘Belfast’s most authentic Italian’. Ignore this, cross the road and walk into DinaDina for a slice of the dolce vita.

If you’re opening a street food/casual dining joint in Belfast, and especially around the corner from the big daddy of Boojum, then you’d better be offering something different. First impressions are a bright and contemporary Italian eatery, with movie posters and classic footballers on the wall, an open and spotless kitchen and a blackboard with just a few options.

The basis of DinaDina is the humble piadina, flatbread from the north of Italy. This simple peasant food is cooked before your very eyes, with the bread rolled and griddled to order, knocking any of the local burrito merchants into a hat from the outset. Then the fillings, with Parma ham, tuna or salami for cold options, and spicy sausage or hamburger for a hot.

The homemade sausage is the star of the show, packed full of fennel and garlic and served with a sauce we’d be happy to drink on its own, the equal of any high end BBQ outfit. The lighter salami or Parma ham options are served with their own homemade sauces and well worth checking out.

Service is exceptional, with the boys more than happy to substitute and advise on options, as well as push the desserts.

At the risk of running the main course options down, these really are the star of the show. It’s worth the hike for the tiramisu alone.

There’s pizza options and calzone too, and with a new spin on street food DinaDina should be on your list of lunch locations.

Shane Horan