Northern Ireland’s reigning “tourism hero” Niall McKenna is to open two new restaurants in Belfast and create 55 jobs in a move which he says reflects his confidence in the North’s blossoming tourism sector.

Mr McKenna, an award-winning chef and the owner of the James Street South group, plans to open the Cast and Crew on the site of a former bank opposite Titanic Belfast.

The 90-seater marks the first restaurant development of its kind in the Titanic Quarter, an area that has become a must-see destination for tourists thanks to the success of Titanic Belfast, which has attracted more than two million visitors.

Mr McKenna, who currently operates three restaurants in the city – James Street South, The Bar+Grill and Hadskis – also intends to open another restaurant on Donegall Quay late next year.

“We are committed to developing and sustaining Northern Ireland’s growing tourism offering, and this further investment represents our confidence in this expanding market,” he said. “Belfast has a well-deserved reputation for food excellence and we are looking forward to building on this.”