Right, we're back.

Last week was a tough one.

The kind of week where you found yourself scrolling with one eye closed, half-expecting the next notification to be worse than the last.

The streets many of us walk every day, businesses we spend our money in, and the people who call this city home found life disrupted- and not in a good way.

But here's the thing.

Belfast never lets the worst of itself have the last word. And in kitchens across the city, one woman with a phone and a pot sparked a chain of kindness and generosity that spread quickly. 

That’s what this week is about. 

LET’S STEP INSIDE →

Only the good stuff. Curated with no waffle.

If you spent any time online last week, you'd be forgiven for thinking Belfast had completely lost the run of itself.

But on Saturday, thousands of people gathered outside City Hall to send a different message.

The anti-racism rally, described by organisers as the largest anti-racism gathering Belfast has seen, drew crowds from across the city and beyond. Chants of "we are Belfast" echoed down Donegall Place. 

One of the standout moments came when newlyweds Matthew Richardson and Cara Bell walked straight from their wedding into the crowd. 

"We'd have been here if it wasn't our wedding day," Cara said. 

Now that's some commitment.

Most people just want this city to be safe, welcoming and worth living in. Saturday was a reminder of who the majority actually are. 

💬 What makes you optimistic about Belfast right now? 

🔗 Belfast Telegraph

While the headlines were busy being grim, 23-year-old Belfast resident Ruchira Rangaprasad got to work. 

With no funding, no organisation and no grand plan, she posted a video with a simple offer: if you can't leave your house, I'll cook for you.

Within hours, somebody had volunteered a car to help with deliveries. Then another. Then another.  By the end of the week, more than 100 meals had gone out across Belfast, alongside nappies, toilet paper, period products and whatever else people needed from the local shops.

Nobody was checking where people came from.

As Ruchira put it:

"Food is food. We just want to feed people."

Belfast had more people helping than needed help.

Read that again.

🔗 Irish News

💬 Did you see random acts of kindness in your area this week? Tell us →

Belfast means business.

Belfast Chamber has taken its biggest-ever trade delegation to New York this week, bringing more than 30 local businesses to the annual New York–New Belfast Conference.

A 50% increase on last year's mission.

The aim is to help Belfast businesses build relationships, attract investment, find customers and put Belfast businesses in front of people who can help them grow internationally. 

One number from the story jumped out at us. 

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has committed $111 million in private equity funding to Northern Ireland start-ups and early-stage businesses over the years.

Not charity. That money comes from New York State retirees' pension funds. 

Investors are looking at Northern Ireland and deciding there's opportunity here.

For a city that sometimes undermines itself, that's worth remembering. 

💬 Which Belfast company do you think deserves a global audience? 

🔗 Belfast Telegraph 

Your guide to what’s on across Belfast & Northern Ireland

Events listings are back next Thursday. Full guide returns at 8am. 

Brought to you by Belfast Foodie Girl

Scalini's on Botanic has been feeding Belfast for years. Somehow it still flies under the radar.

Here's what we didn't know until this week: Tuesday to Thursday, 5pm onwards, they do a midweek pasta club. Two pasta dishes and a garlic bread for £25. For two people. In Belfast. In 2026.

Their carbonara alone is worth the trip. Creamy and proper, the kind that makes you annoyed you didn't order two portions. It's on the pasta club menu. Their pizza base is proved for 24 hours minimum and you can taste exactly why. The tiramisu is fresh and velvety in a city where tiramisu is too often neither.

Passion fruit martini: £9.95. Saturday night dinner for two: £75.

Scalini's isn't a hidden gem. It's just one of those places Belfast takes for granted.

Don't.

📍 Scalini's, Botanic Avenue, Belfast

💬 What's the most underrated restaurant in Belfast right now?

Watch her review below: 

A busker with an electric guitar outside Primark on an ordinary afternoon. 

Then a wee boy steps out of the crowd and starts copying every move, completely in his own world and absolutely nailing it. The crowd stops. People start filming. Someone loves it so much they walk over and hand the kid some money.

The kid looks at it. Looks at the busker. Insists the money goes to the busker. Belfast in one clip.

🔗 Watch it here

What do you think of this week's edition?

👍 Loved it
😐 Just there
👎 Not for me today

Vote here →

Spotted something? Got something to say? We're all ears.

If last week reminded us of anything, it's that Belfast is a lot more than its worst headlines.

See you next Thursday.

At's us nai.

— The Belfast Insider Team

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