[18/05/2026] Ireland’s best hospitality businesses and professionals have been honoured at the All-Ireland Final of the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, where more than 1,000 chefs, restaurateurs, managers and staff gathered to celebrate excellence across Ireland’s hospitality sector. 

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud was named Best Restaurant in Ireland on the night, while Ahmet Dede of Dede at The Customs House Baltimore received the award for Best Chef in Ireland. 

Paul and Máire Flynn of The Tannery Restaurant, Townhouse and Cookery School were presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of their longstanding contribution to Irish hospitality and culinary excellence. 

Now in its 17th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received over 150,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés and hospitality venues nationwide. Nominations were submitted by the public through The Irish Times website, media partner of the Awards. 

In advance of the All-Ireland final, regional awards ceremonies took place across the four provinces where county and regional winners were recognised across a wide range of categories. Those winners then progressed to the national final. 

Funds were also raised throughout the evening in support of The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, continuing the Awards’ longstanding commitment to supporting charitable causes. 

Speaking at the All-Ireland Awards, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Seán Collender, said: 

“Tonight is a celebration of the people who make Ireland’s hospitality industry one of the most vibrant and exciting sectors in the country. From local cafés and family run restaurants to world class dining destinations, these Awards recognise the passion, dedication and innovation that can be found in every corner of Ireland.” 

“Gordon Ramsay recently described Ireland as the sleeping giant of European cuisine. Well, that giant is awakening and tonight is proof of that. Across every county we are seeing incredible creativity, quality and ambition in our restaurants and hospitality businesses.” 

“The standard showcased tonight demonstrates that Ireland should now be firmly recognised as a leading culinary destination. I want to congratulate every nominee and winner for the extraordinary work they do every day to showcase the very best of Irish hospitality.” 

Please find below the list of this year’s winners: 

Best Restaurant – Sponsored by American Express 

Leinster: Bramley Abbeyleix 
Connaught: The Cottage Restaurant 
Munster: Homestead Cottage 
Ulster: Noble 
Dublin: Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud 
All Ireland: Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud 

Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service 

Connaught: Dave Mullan, Fish & Bean 
Ulster: Stevie Toman, Ox Restaurant 
Dublin: Mickael Viljanen, Chapter One 
Leinster: John Coffey, Thyme Restaurant 
Munster: Ahmet Dede, Dede at The Customs House Baltimore 
All Ireland: Ahmet Dede, Dede at The Customs House Baltimore 

Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Paynt 

Ulster: Paul Vaughan, James St 
Munster: Elaine Hourigan, 1826 Adare 
Connaught: Lorraine McHugh, The Selkie 
Dublin: Darren Campbell, La Gordita 
Leinster: Carmel Boyle, Ballyfin Demesne 
All Ireland: Carmel Boyle, Ballyfin Demesne 

Outstanding Achievement Award – Sponsored by Excel Recruitment 

All Ireland: Paul and Máire Flynn, The Tannery Restaurant, Townhouse and Cookery School 

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant – Sponsored by Peninsula 

Dublin: Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins at Anantara The Marker 
Leinster: Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate 
Connaught: The Lodge at Ashford Castle 
Ulster: Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate 
Munster: Rare at Blue Haven Hotel 
All Ireland: Rare at Blue Haven Hotel 

Best Use of Social Media – Sponsored by Revolut 

Leinster: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro 
Ulster: Charlie’s Bar, Enniskillen 
Munster: The Lifeboat Inn 
Dublin: Rosa Madre 
Connaught: The Dough Bros – Galway 
All Ireland: The Dough Bros – Galway 

Employee Excellence Award – Sponsored by Peninsula 

Dublin: Ashling Griffin, King Sitric Seafood Bar & Accommodation 
Munster: Ciara O Shea, Caseys Bar & Restaurant 
Ulster: Lina Krolenko, Sonder 
Leinster: Sophie Hogan, Hogan’s Farm Shop & Cafe 
Connaught: Theresa Donlon, Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar and Restaurant 
All Ireland: Theresa Donlon, Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar and Restaurant 

Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace 

Connaught: Mitchell’s Restaurant 
Ulster: Fisk Seafood Bar 
Leinster: Inside Out 
Dublin: Vada 
Munster: Farmgate 
All Ireland: Farmgate 

Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Hendersons Foodservice 

Dublin: F.X. Buckley @ Ryan’s of Parkgate Street 
Ulster: The Dirty Duck Alehouse 
Munster: Merrys Gastro Pub 
Leinster: Left Bank 
Connaught: Coyne’s Gastropub & Pantry 
All Ireland: Coyne’s Gastropub & Pantry 

Best Cafe – Sponsored by Illy 

Leinster: Grálinn Sunny Row 
Dublin: Two Pups 
Connaught: Baker 51 
Munster: Grumpy Bakers – Cork City 
Ulster: General Merchants 
All Ireland: General Merchants 

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance 

Dublin: Volpe Nera 
Connaught: Blackthorn at The Twelve Hotel 
Ulster: No. 9 Market Square 
Leinster: Bearú 
Munster: Solas Tapas & Wine 
All Ireland: Solas Tapas & Wine 

Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square 

Ulster: Capparelli at The Mill 
Leinster: Ernie’s @ Shackleton Experience 
Munster: 505 
Connaught: Fawn Food & Wine 
Dublin: Comet 
All Ireland: Comet 

Pub of the Year – Sponsored by Bartenders Association of Ireland 

Leinster: The Dylan Whisky Bar 
Ulster: Linnet Inn 
Connaught: McDonnells Bar 
Munster: J. & K. Walsh Victorian Spirit Grocer 
Dublin: The Cobblestone 
All Ireland: The Cobblestone 

Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum 

Ulster: El Tapas Grá 
Leinster: Delgany Wine Cottage 
Munster: MacCurtain Wine Cellar 
Connaught: Daróg Wine Bar 
Dublin: 64 Wine 
All Ireland: 64 Wine 

Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen 

Connaught: Harrisons Bar & Restaurant 
Munster: The Glass Curtain 
Leinster: Reeds Restaurant at Ferrycarrig Hotel 
Dublin: La Maison 
Ulster: Frae 
All Ireland: Frae 

Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by National Chef de Partie Apprenticeship & National Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programmes 

Leinster: Sanjay’s Kitchen 
Connaught: Kombu – Ramen & Bao Bar 
Ulster: Braai Restaurant Donegal 
Dublin: Bigfan 
Munster: Miyazaki 
All Ireland: Miyazaki 

Best Sustainable Practices – Sponsored by Restaurants Association of Ireland 

Dublin: Fairmental 
Ulster: Killeavy Castle Estate 
Munster: Woodlands House Hotel & Spa 
Leinster: Solas Eco Garden Centre 
Connaught: Kai 
All Ireland: Kai 

Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo 

Munster: Slow and Steady 
Leinster: The Centre of Food Culture Ireland 
Connaught: Builín Blasta Cafe & Bakery 
Ulster: Waterman House 
Dublin: Mr Fox Whiskey 
All Ireland: Mr Fox Whiskey 

Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap Agency 

Leinster: Kian Louët-Feisser, Carlingford Oyster Company 
Connaught: Cillian Ó Móráin and Naomi Clarkin, Mescan Brewery 
Dublin: Peter Caviston, Cavistons Restaurant and Food Emporium 
Ulster: Jordan Weir, The Dairy – Bistro, Butchers & Farm Shop 
Munster: Eunice Power, Waterford Festival of Food 
All Ireland: Eunice Power, Waterford Festival of Food 

Best Cocktail Experience – Sponsored by Monin 

All Ireland: Roge Austin, Vintage Cocktail Club 

Food Truck of the Year – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen 

All Ireland: Misunderstood Heron 

Best Cookery School – Sponsored by Avonmore 

All Ireland: Picado Mexican Pantry 

Best Learning and Development – Sponsored by Restaurant & Hospitality Skillnet 

All Ireland: Tifco Hotel Group 

ENDS 

______ 

Notes to Editor: 

For more information on the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026 visit: https://irishrestaurantawards.com/faqs/ 

Official Photographs from the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards Final:   https://irishrestaurantawards.com/official-photos-all-ireland-awards-2026/

All Images Credit: Paul Sherwood 

For all media queries contact liam@rai.ie or (01) 677 9901.