Scalini is a well established family run Italian restaurant on Belfast’s Botanic Avenue. Its name means little steps, a reference that becomes clear in a large dining room arranged across several tiered levels. Murals, warm colours and theatrical Italian details create an energetic setting with space for couples, families and large celebrations.
Southern Italian tradition shapes a broad menu of handmade pizza, pasta and comfort food. Pizza combinations range from simple tomato and cheese to vegetable, cured meat and seafood toppings, while lasagne, ragù and other baked or sauced pasta dishes deliver the familiar generosity of a family restaurant. Fresh preparation and recognisable ingredients keep the range approachable.
Seafood pasta, grilled dishes and changing specials extend the choice beyond pizza. Vegetarian options appear across the menu, making Scalini practical for mixed groups, and diners with allergies should discuss the current ingredients with the team. The large kitchen and dining room allow the restaurant to serve busy evening periods without changing its informal style.
Wine and other Italian inspired drinks support leisurely dinners, while desserts and coffee bring the meal to a traditional close. The different levels give each section a slightly different atmosphere, from open family tables to more secluded corners. Scalini’s identity rests on this combination of abundant Southern Italian food, fair value and lively Belfast hospitality.
Address: 85 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JL, United Kingdom
Scalini Botanic Menu
Antipasti
Arancini
Arborio rice balls with chorizo, parmesan & peas, bread-crumbed & deep fried. lemon mayo dip
Bruschetta (VG)
Grilled slices of sourdough bread, topped with tomato, red onion & garlic in olive oil with basil & oregano
Fritto Misto (GF)
Calamari & king prawns dusted in Corn flour, deep fried & served over a Rocket Salad. Lemon Mayo dip
Garlic Bread
Cheesy Garlic bread
Garlic Pizza Bread
Funghi
Deep fried, breadcrumbed mushrooms, filled with a bacon & cheddar cheese stuffing. Garlic mayo dip
Polpette
Homemade meatballs, in a chili and fennel tomato sauce, topped with smoked paprika cheddar cheese & served with hot honey garlic bread
Pollo Panato
Breadcrumbed chicken strips, accompanied by a paprika dip
Chicken Caesar
Chicken, crisp romaine hearts, Kalamata olives, Caesar dressing, shaved parmesan, garlic focaccia croutons
Pizza
Premium Extras: Meat & Fish +1.90, Other +1.40, Vegan Cheese +0.50, Gluten Free Base +1.50
Margherita (V)
Classic Tomato & Mozzarella, fresh Basil, Extra Virgin Olive oil
Pepperoni
Tomato, Mozzarella & Pepperoni Sausage
Calzone – An Envelope Pizza
Folded Pizza filled with Tomato, Mozzarella, Ham & Salami, topped with Tomato & Parmesan
Mia
Tomato, Mozzarella, Ham, Mushrooms & Oregano
Hawaian
Tomato, Mozzarella, Ham & Pineapple
Daniele (V)
Mozzarella white base, Basil Oil, Sun-dried Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Garlic, Red Onion & Goats Cheese
Piccante (S)
Tomato, Mozzarella, Pepperoni Sausage, Salami, Onions & Chili Sauce
Diavoletta (S)
Thin crust base with Tomato, Mozzarella, Calabrese Sausage, Fennel Seeds, Fresh Chilli, Topped with Hot honey, Smoked Paprika Cheddar Cheese & Crispy Courgette
Scalini
Tomato, Mozzarella, Pepperoni Sausage, Ham, Bacon, Mushroom, Sweetcorn & Pineapple
Giardiniera
Tomato, Mozzarella, Cherry Tomato, Garlic & Onions, with Roast Chicken, Parmesan Cheese & Basil Oil
Dips
Garlic Mayo
Hot Honey
'Nduja Mayo
Lemon Mayo
Contorni
Garlic Parmesan Chips or Diced
Chips or Diced Potatoes
Garlic Chips or Diced Potatoes
Garlic Bread
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Side Salad
Pasta
All our pasta sauces are gluten free and can be made with gluten free penne pasta.
Penne Primavera (V)
Penne pasta with a tasty combination of peppers, red onions, mint, white wine, aubergine, chili, courgette & fresh thyme, tossed in a tomato sauce
Spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti tossed with crispy smoked bacon, parmesan cheese & egg yolk, in a cream sauce
Rigatoni Al Ragu’
Slow braised beef shin ragu with rigatoni pasta topped with parmesan shavings
Tagliatelle Al Salmone
Tagliatelle with smoked salmon & spinach, in a cream and tomato sauce
Lasagna Della Casa
Traditional homemade lasagna, served with your choice of side order
Linguini Pescatora
Linguini cooked with tiger prawns, mussels, fresh chilli, cherry tomato & garlic, in a light tomato white wine sauce
Linguini Con Polpette
Homemade meatballs in a tomato & basil sauce over linguini
Spaghetti Bolognese
Our very own recipe of this Italian classic made with Glenarm shorthorn mince
Pennette Torinesi (N)
Penne pasta, served with chicken, sun-blush tomato, pine nuts, courgette & white wine with a touch of cream
Ravioli Con Funghi
Ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta. Cooked with bacon, mushroom, spinach and rosemary in a creamy white wine sauce
Secondi
Pollo Al Funghi
Breast of chicken filled with bacon & garlic stuffing. Wild Mushroom Sauce, vegetables and a side of your choice
Agnello al Vino Rosso (GF)
Lamb rump with shallots, rosemary, and red wine reduction. Roast potatoes tossed with garlic, chilli, rosemary, mint and butter. Served with vegetables
Spigola Viola (GF)
Fillets of seabass with a creamy shallot-and-fine-caper sauce. Served with roast potatoes and vegetables.
Dolce
Affogato (N)
Vanilla ice-cream, sprinkled with Amaretti biscuits, served with a shot of hot Espresso coffee & a shot of Amaretto liqueur, for you to drown (Affogato) to your liking
Torta Di Cioccolato
A delicious chocolate fudge cake served with a hot chocolate sauce & Ice-cream
Sorbetto Misto
Trio of assorted sorbet
Caramello Della Nonna
Sticky toffee pudding served warm with a delicious toffee sauce & honeycomb Ice-cream
Torta All’ Arancia Con Cioccolato
The delicious combination of orange & chocolate makes this home-made cheesecake a real delight. Served with a toffee & chocolate sauce
Tiramisu
Scalini version of this Classic Recipe
Fudge or Chocolate Nut Sundae (N)
Vanilla Ice-cream with your Choice of chocolate or fudge sauce, with a sprinkling of nuts & a topping of fresh cream
Specials
Gamberoni
Sauteed tiger prawns infused with garlic, chilli and cherry tomatoes, finished in a white wine reduction. Served with warm, house-baked focaccia.
Pollo Con Caponata (N)
Roast chicken supreme prepared with garlic and thyme, with gravy sauce on the side. Served with mashed potatoes and a Siciliana caponata, made of aubergine, onion, celery, red peppers, sultanas, pine nuts and vinegar.
Merluzzo Con Barbabietola
Cod fillet with beetroot gnocchi in a mascarpone sauce, garnished with chives, lime, sautéed spinach, and smoked chili.
Bambini
£7.50 per bambini. All Kids meals served with a soft drink and ice cream. Available for Children up to the age of 12.
Lasagna Della Casa with Chips
Price: £7.50 per bambini
Spaghetti Bolognese
Price: £7.50 per bambini
Linguini Con Polpette
Price: £7.50 per bambini
Margherita Pizza
Price: £7.50 per bambini
Chicken Goujons and Chips
Price: £7.50 per bambini
Pepperoni Pizza
Price: £7.50 per bambini
Vino
Merlot / Shiraz / Nero D’Avola
Montepulciano
Valpolicella
Chianti
Primitivo
Palmento Pinot Grigio / Sauvignon Blanc
Lamberti Pino Grigio
Esk Valley
Santa Alicia Chardonnay
Pipoli
The Ned
Zinfandel
Lamberti Pinot Blush
Villa Jolanda Prosecco
Tea & Coffee
Espresso
Americano
Cappuccino
Cafè Latte or Mocha
Liqueur Coffees
Selection of Teas
Hot Chocolate
Beers
Peroni
Peroni (66cl)
Peroni 0.0
Moretti
Moretti (66cl)
Coors Light
Guinness
Soft drinks
Coke
Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite
Apple, Orange juice
Sparkling & Still Water (Glass)
Britvic 55 Apple
San Pellegrino (Sparkling – 750ml)
Liqueurs
Amaretto
Baileys
Grappa
Sambuca
Amaro Montenegro
Spirits
Smirnoff Vodka
Grey Goose Vodka
Gordon’s Gin
Malfy Limone Gin
Malfy Arancia Gin
Jawbox Belfast Cut Gin
Cocktails
Limoncello Spritz
Southern Italian spin on the world’s famous Venetian Spritz made with Limoncello liqueur, fresh lemon juice & topped with Prosecco
Aperol Spritz
A traditional Italian cocktail of Aperol liqueur & Prosecco, topped off with soda & a slice of orange
Espresso Cocktail
Captain Morgan’s, Tia Maria & fresh espresso shaken served in a martini glass
Raspberry Royale
Jawbox Gin & lemon, topped with Prosecco & raspberry liqueur
Limoncello Mojito
A classic mojito with white rum, sugar syrup, lime juice, soda water & mint with the addition of Limoncello for an Italian twist!
Passionfruit Martini
Smirnoff Vodka, passionfruit puree, Passoa, pineapple juice, vanilla sugar & lime juice