A Unique Perspective on Derry’s Food and Hospitality Scene
One of the most exciting subject lines that can appear in your inbox on a quiet day at the office is often simply “press trip.” These trips can range from a week in Las Vegas to a relaxing spa retreat in the woods or a guided food tour in a city you haven’t visited recently. This time, the destination was Derry, where I had the opportunity to explore the city’s growing food and hospitality scene.
The trip included a stay at the Bishop’s Gate Hotel, a walking tour, a Derry By Fork foodie experience, and dinner at the Walled City Brewery. While I’ve written a full review of the trip, the overall impression was one of genuine admiration for what Derry has to offer.
I’ve always had a fondness for Derry, but this visit gave me a fresh perspective on the city. What struck me most wasn’t just the food or the venues themselves, but the people behind them. Everyone we met—chefs, tour guides, hospitality staff, and business owners—spoke about the city with a real sense of passion and pride.
There was a clear effort to showcase what Derry has to offer. Restaurants championing local produce, guides telling the city’s story with enthusiasm, and businesses clearly invested in the place they call home. It feels like people have made a conscious decision to finally celebrate where they’re from without shying away from the city’s turbulent history.
While I admired that spirit enormously, I couldn’t help making a comparison. Because as I sat in a busy restaurant in the Walled City listening to locals talk proudly about their city, I found myself thinking about Belfast. Belfast, after all, is our capital. It’s where cruise ships dock during the summer months and it remains the focal point for most visitors to our shores.
For many people traveling to Northern Ireland, Belfast is their first impression of the place, but I worry that it might not always be a good one. Walk through parts of the city center, and the signs are difficult to ignore. Derelict buildings sit empty along major streets, shopfronts remain shuttered for months or even years, and areas that should feel vibrant can sometimes look tired and neglected.
At the same time, many of Belfast’s independent bars and restaurants, the very places that give a city its character, are operating under increasing pressure as costs continue to rise. None of this is new. Conversations about the decline of the city center have been ongoing for years, and there are efforts underway to bring life back into it, from the expansion of Ulster University’s campus to future projects such as Belfast Stories.
But regeneration isn’t just about major development. What Derry reminded me of is how powerful local pride can be. That sense of ownership is infectious—cities don’t become vibrant by accident; they become vibrant because people care about them.
My trip to Derry was meant to be a short press visit focused on food, instead it ended up being a reminder of something bigger. And although it is a much smaller city and attracts far fewer tourists than Belfast, whatever they are doing, it’s working. While Belfast airports saw mixed results in passenger numbers during 2025, City of Derry Airport saw a huge 40% surge.
If Belfast could capture even a fraction of the pride and energy that exists in Derry right now, it would be all the better for it. Because who knows—the next time a journalist from Derry receives an email inviting them on a press trip to Belfast, it would be wonderful if they came away with the same impression I have of their city—no wonder they are referring to it as Legenderry…
