The Irish Restaurant Awards 2016 have returned! Below we reveal the shortlist of the top ten restaurants in each awards category for county Dublin. By reaching the next stage of judging, Dublin shortlist winners can expect to receive a mystery guest inspection at any time from this Friday, 4th March. Shortlist winners are also asked to submit their food and wine menu for judging.

Winners of the Dublin shortlist will be announced at the All-Ireland Finals on Monday 16^th, May at the DoubleTree by Hilton.

The Dublin shortlists are as follows;

Best Cafe sponsored by Aryzta Food Solutions – Dublin Shortlist (10)

Alchemy @ BT2
Brother Hubbard
East
Fumbally
Il Caffe de Napoli
Il Valentino
Oxmantown
Pepper Pot
Silk Road Café at the Chester Beatty Library
Slice Café

Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – Dublin Shortlist (10)

Da Mimmos
Etto
Fish Shop
Juniors
Klaw
San Lorenzos
Super Miss Sue
Terra Madre
Whitefriar Grill
Woollen Mills

Best Chef sponsored by La Rousse Foods – Dublin Shortlist (10)

Gareth Mullins – Brasserie at The Marker
Ross Lewis – Chapter One
Dermot Staunton – Delahunt
John Wyer – Forest Avenue
Mickael Viljanen – The Greenhouse
Carl Whelan – Luna
Ciaran McGill – One Pico
Graham Neville – Restaurant Forty One at Residence
Guillaume Le Brun – Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
Kevin Thornton – Thorntons Restaurant

Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – Dublin Shortlist (10)

Bastible
Craft
Delahunt
Forest Avenue
Fumbally
Hatch & Sons
Heron & Grey
Locks
Pigs Ear
Woollen Mills

Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Bunzl McLaughlin – Dublin Shortlist (10)

Exchequer
L Mulligan Grocer
Magpie Inn
Mulligans of Sandymount
Old Spot
Soder and Ko
Sussex
The Bridge 1859
The Cellar Bar at The Merrion Hotel
The Chop House

Local Food Hero sponsored by Rewarding Times – Dublin Shortlist (5)*

Domini Kemp of Itsa
John Farrell of 777
Oisin Davis of Great Irish Beverages
Padraic Og Gallagher of Gallagher’s Boxty House
Patrick and Jenny McNally of McNally Family Farm

*The Local Food Hero shortlist will not receive a mystery guest inspection.

Best Hotel Restaurant sponsored by Elavon – Dublin Shortlist (10)

Brasserie at The Marker
Citron Restaurant at the Fitzwilliam Hotel
Cliff Townhouse
Francesca’s Restaurant at Brooks Hotel
King Sitric
McLoughlins Restaurant at Roganstown Hotel & Country Club
Morrisson Grill at Morrisson Hotel
The Shelbourne Hotel
Sophies at the Dean Hotel
The Cellar Restaurant at The Merrion Hotel

Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Heinz – Dublin Shortlist (10)

Bay
Beaufield Mews
Bloom Brasserie
Brasserie at The Marker
Carluccios
Enigma Bar & Grill
Jamie’s Italian
Koh Restaurant
Mastersons
Saba

Best Restaurant Manager sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – Dublin Shortlist (10)

David Murray – Balfes at The Westbury
Kevin Hui – China Sichuan
Liz Matthews – Etto
Sally Anne Clarke – l’Ecrivain
Roberto Lopez – Locks
Declan Maxwell  – Luna
Stephane Robin – Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
Liam Guerin – Rolys Bistro
John Healy – Suesey Street
Robert Doggett  – Trocadero

Best Newcomer sponsored by BWG Foodservice – Dublin Shortlist (10)

Bastible
Boqueria
Craft
Fish Shop
Heron & Grey
Klaw
Locks
Luna
Taste at Rustic
Union 8

Best Restaurant sponsored by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits and Astoria Wines – Dublin Shortlist (10)

Brioche
Chapter One
China Sichuan
Forest Avenue
Greenhouse
l’Ecrivain
Locks
Luna
Restaurant Forty One at Residence
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud

Best Customer Service sponsored by TheTaste.ie – Dublin Shortlist (10)

Brasserie at The Marker
Chapter One
China Sichuan
Delahunt
Etto
l’Ecrivain
Luna
Restaurant Forty One at Residence
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
San Lorenzos

Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks and Massotina – Dublin Shortlist (10)

64 Wine
Chapter One
Dax
Etto
French Paradox
Locks
One Pico
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
Stanleys
Whelehans

Best World Cuisine sponsored by Keelings Farm Fresh – Dublin Shortlist (10)

777
Boqueria
Chameleon
China Sichuan
Hanoi Hanoi
Keshk
M & L Chinese Restaurant
Montys of Kathmandu
Soder and Ko
Veda

Congratulations to all Dublin establishments and individuals on being shortlisted above. The Awards Team will be in touch with you over the coming days regarding the next steps in judging for the Irish Restaurant Awards 2016.