Overview
St George’s is the last Victorian covered market left in Belfast, and the NABMA judges named it the UK’s best large indoor market in 2023, as they had in 2014. It only opens Friday to Sunday, and each day has a different character. If you can make just one, make it Saturday: the City Food & Craft market is the busiest, with local bands playing and around 250 stalls of food and handmade goods under one red-brick roof. Friday is the local’s day and the fish market. Entry is free every day.
One honest word of warning: by late Saturday morning the aisles are shoulder to shoulder and the queues at the good coffee and street-food stalls build fast. Come before 10am if you actually want to move, browse and get served.
A Long & Resilient History
Trading on this site dates back to 1604, making it one of the longest-running market locations on the island. Originally an open-air space complete with a slaughterhouse and meat stalls, the market evolved over centuries. In the late 19th century, Belfast City Council commissioned architect J.C. Bretland to design a permanent covered market. Construction unfolded in three phases between 1890 and 1896, resulting in the striking Victorian hall that stands today.
The building has weathered significant historical moments. During the Second World War, it temporarily served as a mortuary following the Belfast Blitz, hosting a public funeral for unidentified victims in 1941. By the 1980s, the market required substantial restoration. A £4.5 million regeneration project completed in 1997 (reopening to the public in 1999) carefully preserved original brickwork, Roman-style arches, and the city’s Latin motto Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus (“what shall we give in return for so much?”) alongside the Irish phrase Lámh Dearg na hÉireann (“Red Hand of Ireland”).
Market Days: What to Expect
Each day of the weekend brings a different character to the hall. Plan your visit around what interests you most:
Friday Variety Market (08:00–14:00)
The oldest session, and the one that runs closest to the market’s roots: there has been a Friday market on this site since 1604. Expect around 250 stalls selling everything from fruit and vegetables to antiques, books and clothing. The 23-strong fish section is the draw, reputedly Ireland’s leading retail fish market. Look out for ‘Fab Food Friday’, where traders sell hot lunch dishes for around £5.95.
Saturday City Food & Craft Market (09:00–15:00)
Saturday tilts towards food and handmade goods. Local producers bring artisan cheeses, cured meats, coffee, tapas and organic produce; craft stalls hold pottery, glass, metalwork, photography and fresh flowers. Live music from local bands fills the hall, which is exactly why it’s the day most people mean when they say they’re going to the market.
Sunday Market – Craft & Antiques (10:00–15:00)
Sunday blends the best of Friday and Saturday with a relaxed pace and a stronger emphasis on arts, crafts, and antiques. Stalls feature scented candles, handmade jewellery, recycled goods, garden plants, and health-beauty products. It’s a popular choice for families and those looking for unique souvenirs.
Food & Craft Highlights
The fish stalls are what St George’s is known for, but the food goes well beyond the catch of the day. Traders like Belfast Bap Co serve freshly fried fish and the traditional Belfast bap, while other stalls run from Atlantic salmon and smoked oysters to international street food. There’s award-winning Irish cheese to sample and enough good coffee to fuel a slow lap of the hall.
On the craft side, the market supports local makers and social enterprises. You’ll find handcrafted jewellery, bespoke linen goods, traditional Celtic designs, and finely carved wooden items. Many vendors are happy to share stories about their techniques, turning a simple purchase into a conversation about Northern Ireland’s creative heritage.
Practical Information & Facilities
The market is designed to be accessible and comfortable for all visitors. Entry is free on all days, and the venue offers several thoughtful amenities:
- Quiet Hours: Each market day includes a designated quiet hour to reduce noise and create a calmer environment, particularly welcoming for neurodiverse visitors and families with young children. Friday & Saturday: 09:00–10:00. Sunday: 10:00–11:00.
- Dog-Friendly: Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the market. Water bowls are provided at the May Street entrance, and owners are asked to clean up after their pets.
- Water Refill: A free water refill station is located near the East Bridge Street entrance, beside the market office.
- Toilets & Accessibility: Two male blocks, two female blocks, and one accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities are situated on the Verner Street side. Breastfeeding is welcome throughout the hall. A detailed accessibility guide is available via AccessAble.
- Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available near the East Bridge Street entrance (password displayed on-site).
Getting There & Parking
St George’s Market is a five-minute walk from Belfast Lanyon Place train station and is easily reached on foot from Oxford Street, May Street, and East Bridge Street. It’s stop 6 on the Belfast City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus, and there’s a Belfast Bikes docking station nearby if you’re cycling.
If you’re driving, a customer parking discount is available at the Lanyon Place Car Park. Parking costs £5 for up to four hours on market days. To claim the offer, download the APCOA Connect app and enter location code 9362, or book in advance using promo code SGM5. Pay-and-display zones are also available directly outside the market.
Exploring Further in Belfast
The market sits within easy walking distance of several of the city’s best-known landmarks. A short stroll south leads to the Belfast City Centre Highlights, while the Albert Memorial Clock stands just a few minutes away. Head east to the Belfast Botanic Gardens and its Victorian Palm House, or north to Belfast Castle for views across the city and Belfast Lough.
Before you head in, glance up at the entrances: they carry Belfast’s Latin motto Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus and the Red Hand of Ireland in Irish. Then get there before 10am on a Saturday, grab a bap and a coffee, and let the band do the rest.