A foodie's guide to the Belfast Christmas market
By Tara McLaughlin
The Belfast Christmas market is back for it's twelfth year and it's bigger and better than ever. The market has expanded with an extra special local touch. 20 stalls have been added outside the gates of the city hall to local traders to celebrate the Northern Ireland year of food and drink.
The new additions showcase the best that Northern Ireland has to offer. Produce ranges from homemade wheaten bread to beard oil and hanging light up Christmas stars.
One of the quirkiest stalls new for this year is the Belfast beard company. Each year the market reserve one chalet for a local business to display their products for free. This year's pitch winner was Laura Henshaw, with her fabulous array of luxury beard products for the suave Belfast gent.
Inside the grounds of the city hall is as much of a culinary delight as ever. It's best to visit on an empty stomach.
With food stalls ranging from Italian to French to German, there is something sure to tickle every tastebud.
New additions include a Greek stall, great for vegetarians, toasted marshmallows for the kids (and big kids) complete with a coal fire toasting pit and our personal favourite Krissi's cone.
One of the most divine sweets you'll find in Belfast, it features Hungarian dough, almost waffle-like, dipped in cinnamon and filled with homemade Italian ice cream. Choose from toppings such as salted caramel sauce, honeycomb pieces and marshmallows, or if you're feeling healthy there's fruit and berry compete on offer.
We've done the groundwork for you and come up with the foodie's guide to the Belfast Christmas market. So all you have to do is enjoy!
See the best food stalls here