A Game of Thrones guide to Belfast

After a hard day of scheming and sticking swords in otherworldly demons, Cersei Lannister and Jon Snow like to grab some tapas and post-work drink as much as the next person. Use this guide to Belfast to walk in the steps of the Machiavellian men, women and creatures from Game of Thrones. Just watch out for rolling heads.

EAT

Deanes at Queens

The glass frontage looks out on the leafy environs of the University Quarter, the wine list is extensive, and the menu focuses largely on fresh local produce. Deanes at Queens bar and grill is an ideal spot for a lazy sundowner that segues into dinner. The dig specialises in cuts of meat from the charcoal grill—the tender pork belly with maple, honey and mustard is a must-have. Elusive leader of the Free Folk Mance Rayder, played by Belfast actor Ciarán Hinds, has dined here. If it's good enough for the King Beyond the Wall, it's good enough for us. ( Website . 1 College Gardens; +44-0-28-9038-2111) 

The Barking Dog Cersei Lannister, Loras Tyrell, Tyrion's secret consort Shae, and master of secrets Varys may be an unlikely clique on screen, but they've been known to party together right here at the Barking Dog. Raw wood tables and vintage décor lend a rustic aesthetic to this eatery. By day, the sun-dappled interiors are often filled with live acoustic music. There's a range of meat, fish and veggie options, but the tapas menu is quite irresistible. For lunch, order a combination of small plates: the spiced butternut squash arancini and pan-fried chorizo sausage with sourdough are great options. On Sundays, linger over the amazing, drenched-in-Hollandaise-sauce eggs benedict. By night, the restaurant turns into a lively bar with free flowing cocktails. ( Website . 33-35 Malone Road; +44-0-2890-661885)

St George's Market

Housed in a 19th-century red-brick Victorian building, this weekend market is among Belfast's oldest and best attractions (it was awarded UK's Best Large Indoor Market in 2014). Stalls with local produce, artisanal food, handmade crafts and art pull locals from all ends of town. The range of food here will rival any Game of Thrones-style feast you've fantasised about. There's fresh catch from the sea, tender cuts of meat, and local Belfast specialties such as baps. Stop at the Cuban Sandwich Factory (the pulled pork sandwich is divine), which was a favourite with the GoT crew, but save space for when you cross the huge dessert section. (Fri-Sun; 12-20 East Bridge Street)

DRINK

Kremlin Gentle giant and loyal protector of House Stark, Hodor may be a man of few words, but the actor behind him has many talents. Kristian Nairn, a Belfast local, spun tunes at club Kremlin for over a decade, and now tours the world with his beats on a Rave of Thrones tour. Kremlin sports a distinctly Soviet vibe: a statue of Lenin stands at the entrance, the two-floor club area is called Red Square, while the cocktail lounge is titled Tsar. The club stands at the helm of Belfast's gay scene, regularly hosts big acts and is really the place to go to for a dance-all-night kind of party. And if you bump into Hodor, you know what to say… Hodor. ( Website . 96 Donegall Street; +44-028-9031-6061)

Harp Bar

In the buzzy Cathedral Quarter, on a narrow lane under a string of fairy lights, the tiny Harp Bar often loses guests to its more famous counterparts next door. When Jon Snow, played by actor Kit Harington, sheds his moody, man-of-the-Nightswatch character, he lets his hair down here at the Harp Bar. The two-storey bar wears an old-world feel with its decadent red velvet armchairs and dark wood interiors. The tiny mezzanine area is full of mirrored plaques bearing names of old whiskey and retro Guinness posters. The bar is best for stiff whiskeys; there's live music often, and on weekends the Irish craic spills out on the streets. ( Website . 35 Hill Street; +44-0-28-9032-9923)

SHOP

Steensons Jewellers For bling à la the Lannisters, Steensons is the place to go. The family owned jewellers created many of the iconic pieces worn in the Game of Thrones series–including Joffrey and Margaery's intricate wedding crowns, dragon brooches for the Targaryens, and rose-inlaid belts for the Tyrells. Though these pieces aren't for sale, Steensons has a Game of Thrones-inspired collection in the pipeline for 2015. The regular collections are clean-cut and modern, featuring handcrafted platinum, gold and silver with precious stones. ( Website . Bedford House, Bedford Street; +44-0-28-9024-8269)

DO

Explore the Titanic Quarter While the dramatic landscapes of Northern Ireland provided the setting for Winterfell, The North, Storm's End and other iconic locations, much of the series was filmed in the Titanic Studios' Paint Hall in Belfast. "Most of the interiors of King's Landing are in our studios—The Throne Room; the Sept of Baelor; the Eyrie. Even the top of the Wall was built in our studios and was a breath-taking set," says Moyra Lock from Northern Ireland Screen, the agency responsible for bringing Game of Thrones to Northern Ireland. The shocking and unforgettable Red Wedding scene was filmed in these very studios. Walk around the dockyards and explore the area around the studio—crew and cast members are always drifting in and out of the area in filming season.

While there, pay your tribute to the town's more tragic export. The Titanic Belfast is a museum that tells the story of the doomed ship. It's a spectacular, 11,000sqm structure that resembles the four 90ft-high hulls of the great ship. The walls are covered in 3,000 reflective silver aluminium shards. Located where the ill-fated ship was constructed and launched, the museum includes interactive audio-visual presentations, recreated living quarters, histories of the ship's construction and passengers. (Queen's Road; +44-0-28-9076-6386)

Game of Thrones location tours

Many privately operated location tours operate out of Belfast, taking fans of the show to the dramatic locations where pivotal scenes were shot. Remember Arya Stark escaping down the spooky Kingsroad? That's filmed in the Dark Hedges—an avenue lined with ancient beech trees in County Antrim. The imposing Winterfell castle is set at Castle Ward, on the shore of Strangford Lough.  Game of Thrones Tours and Stones & Thrones conduct such tours. Season 5 of Game of Thrones includes stunning new locations such as Portstewart Strand (Dorne), a sweeping strand of about two miles with stunning views of the Inishowen Peninsula.

STAY

Ten Square Hotel Sean Bean's character as Ned Stark was shortlived but unforgettable. The actor is known to stop by for a drink at the Ten Square Hotel in the city's heritage district. The Yorkshire House building, which houses the boutique, was originally a Victorian linen warehouse dating back to 1862. ( Website . 10 Donegall Square South; +44-0-28-9024-1001)

Europa Hotel During the decades of the Troubles, the grand 272-room Europa Hotel was best known as Europe's most bombed hotel. Today, it's one of the better places to stay in Belfast for its ideal location, buzzing Lobby Bar, and the little rubber ducky they put in your bathtub. Game of Thrones season 5 focuses heavily on Dornish personalities. Sand snakes from Dorne, Obara and Nymeria, and bodyguard Areo Hotah (played by actors Keisha Castle-Hughes, Jessica Henwick, and DeObia Oparei respectively) spent a fun evening at the hotel bar, and cast and crew have been known to stay here. It may be worth timing your trip. ( Website . Great Victoria St; +44-0-28-9027-1066)