Northern Ireland retro: 31 photos show popular noughties restaurants

It was an era before everyone owned an air fryer, and avocado toast became the hipster’s breakfast of choice.

These photos take you back to the noughties and how we dined back then.

They show some of the most popular restaurants from the 2000s, from Belfast to Benburb, and Cookstown to Craigavon.

The owners, chefs and waiting staff are pictured in this retro photo gallery, along with diners enjoying a meal out.

The restaurants pictured range from award-winning fine-dining establishments to much-loved local takeaways.

Some of the places pictured have sadly shut their doors for good since these photos were taken, but others are still going strong.

Is your favourite restaurant among those featured, and do these nostalgic images bring back any happy memories of special nights out?

21. Oxford Grill

The restaurant at the Oxford Grill | National World

Diners at Priory House West cafe and restaurant, Benburb, in 2008 | National World Photo: John Stafford

The upstairs reception area at Sizzlers Restaurant, in Magherafelt, pictured in 2007 | National World Photo: Adrian Robinson

Charlene McNally, supervisor at Simplicity Restaurant, in Magherafelt, with chefs Darren Pitts and Lucy Beatty | National World