Like many visitors to Belfast, Top Chef champ Michael Voltaggio grew to love to the local lifestyle, which centers around the public house, also known as a tavern.

“I learned what it meant to have a good pint of Guinness,” the chef-turned-television host, who traveled to the Northern Ireland city for his new Travel Channel show ‘Breaking Borders’, tells ‘Closer.’

'breaking borders'
Travel Channel

He found out that food in this city off the North Channel isn’t so bad either. “Our perception is that it’s corned beef, cabbage and boiled potatoes,” he explains, “but I can assure you that’s not the case.” Instead, continues Michael, “I ate amazing dry-aged beef and some of the best seafood I’ve ever had.”

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The 36-year-old ‘Top Chef’ champ worked off his delicious lunches and dinner by exploring his Gaelic surroundings, including the docks where the Titanic was built and St. Georges Market, where he found cheese made with Guinness.

'breaking borders'
Travel Channel

At night, notes Michael, he enjoyed getting out with Belfast’s residents. “There’s a thriving underground music scene so live shows are easy to catch.” — Aaron Rasmussen

Michael’s show ‘Breaking Borders’ airs Sundays at 9/8c on Travel Channel.