When a popular Belfast hotspot gets a revamp, the only thing for it is to give it a go for yourself.
That's why we took a trip to an old favourite Buba, which has been operating in the Cathedral Quarter since 2008, which has been rebranded as Buba Burgers and Bits and opened last month.
With an expected lunchtime window, we took a trip along to St Anne's Square to try out their new menu.
Read more: Belfast restaurant owner felt he had to "adapt or die" amid rising costs
Run by Tony O’Neill, one of Belfast’s best-loved chefs, the popular restaurant has switched from offering mouth-watering Mediterranean cuisine to tasty burgers.
For Tony, who is managing director of the city centre favourite and nearby Coppi, it was a case of "adapt or die".
Tony said the decision to change Buba's offering was made due to the challenging times within the hospitality sector.
He previously told Belfast Live it was a case of adapting to survive amid rising energy costs and the disappearance of the lunchtime trade after the pandemic as many city centre workers are still based at home.
Well-known restaurateur Tony, who is also chair of Hospitality Ulster, says rising energy bills and food costs are a big challenge for the sector, as they can only pass on so much to customers in terms of higher prices.
Their new menu guarantees the tastiest of burgers, bits, grills, dirty tots, boozy milkshakes and cocktails and with vegan and vegetarian options too.
The restaurant, which also welcomes walk-ins and offers a takeaway service, is already proving popular with students attending the new Ulster University York Street campus, which Tony says is a major selling point.
It's currently a six day operation and open Monday - Saturday from 12 noon 'til late with a lunch special running daily from 12-4pm where you can enjoy one of their delicious burger offerings with fries or tots.
From the moment we entered for our mid-week lunch visit, we were greeted with that same friendly smile and attentive staff from the get go.
We opted for the set lunch menu which offers burger and fries or tots on the side and our choice was the classic - a beef patty with house burger sauce, tomato, pickle and onion while the pepper dipper comes with cheese, crispy fried onions and creamy pepper sauce for dipping.
All burgers are made using the highest quality 100% Irish Hereford beef pattie from quality-assured farms and fresh local ingredients.
They're chargrilled over a clay oven offering a light smoky taste and guaranteed tenderness and served in a sesame-seeded bun to hold the juicy burgers - no soggy bottoms here!
Both were served with just the right amount of crispy skin on fries on the side. Given that it was a working lunch, we couldn't avail of a boujee cocktail but I'll certainly be ordering one on our next visit.
And the good news is the restaurant will also be opening on Sundays very soon so everyone can enjoy their Buba fix seven days a week!
READ NEXT:
Belfast pizza spot receives "perfect" score from 'UK's Number One Food Reviewer'
First look as street food outlet to open first sit-in restaurant in Belfast
Viral food reviewer raves about Belfast bar's "gorgeous" pints to 500k followers
New bars, restaurants and cafes in Belfast to check out in 2023
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
