March 12th, 2025 – The very best of the food and hospitality sector in Leinster were honoured last night at the Irish Restaurant Awards Leinster Regional Final 2025, marking the first regional event of this year’s prestigious awards season. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, March 11th, at the Killashee Hotel, Kildare, where county winners from across the province were revealed.

Over 1000attendees gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of restaurants, cafés and food service providers across Leinster.

Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received nearly 165,000 public nominations this year, submitted through The Irish Times – the official media partner of the awards.

Following the completion of all regional finals, the Regional and All-Ireland Winners will be announced at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 19th, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. County winners from Leinster can now secure their tickets for this highly anticipated event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Seán Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said:

“Tonight is about recognising the outstanding efforts of those who bring Ireland’s culinary reputation to life every day. In a challenging business environment, it is more important than ever to honour the people whose hard work, passion and creativity shape our hospitality sector.”

“The Leinster Regional Final once again showcased the incredible talent and innovation that define this region’s culinary landscape. I want to extend my congratulations to all the winners and nominees. It is their hard work that makes Ireland’s food scene truly exceptional.”

Please find below the list of this year’s county winners from across Leinster:

Best Restaurant – Sponsored by San Miguel

• Carlow – Clashganny House Restaurant
• Kilkenny – Campagne
• Laois – Bramley Abbeyleix
• Longford – Jodhpur Indian Restaurant
• Louth – Square Restaurant
• Meath – Zucchini’s Restaurant
• Offaly – Sanjay’s Kitchen
• Westmeath – Thyme Restaurant
• Wexford – La Côte Seafood Restaurant
• Wicklow – Chakra By Jaipur
• Kildare – Alumni Kitchen

Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service

• Carlow – Henry Stone, Sha-Roe Bistro
• Kilkenny – John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
• Laois – Richard Piccard Edwards, Ballyfin Demesne
• Longford – Lisa Vocella, Vocella’s
• Louth – Brendan Mulligan, The Spotted Dog
• Meath – Mahipal Singh, Cinnamon Garden Restaurant
• Offaly – Okan Kiraz, Captain House Restaurant
• Westmeath – John Coffey, Thyme Restaurant
• Wexford – Chris Fullam, The Sea Rooms at Kelly’s Resort
• Wicklow – Sophie Woodroofe, The Roundwood Stores
• Kildare – Adam Nevin, The Morrison Room at Carton House

Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Elavon

• Carlow – Michal Kostra, Mimosa Bar de Tapas
• Kilkenny – Shane Rice, Zuni Restaurant at Zuni Boutique Hotel
• Laois – Kasia Urban, Bramley Abbeyleix
• Longford – Amit Prasher, Jodhpur Indian Restaurant
• Louth – Aine Stanley, Square Restaurant
• Meath – Cal Donoghue, Fifty50 Navan
• Offaly – Sarah Thomas, The Blue Apron Restaurant
• Westmeath – Antoanela Belviso, Il Colosseo
• Wexford – Paul Behan, Lobster Pot
• Wicklow – Christoper White, The Pigeon House Restaurant
• Kildare – William Wong, Saba

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant – Sponsored by Frylite

• Carlow – The Cellar Restaurant at The Step House Hotel
• Kilkenny – Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
• Laois – Ballyfin Demesne
• Longford – PVs Longford
• Louth – Scholars Townhouse Hotel
• Meath – Brabazon Restaurant at Tankardstown House
• Offaly – Townsend House Tapas Restaurant
• Westmeath – Glasson Lakehouse
• Wexford – The Sea Rooms at Kelly’s Resort
• Wicklow – Chester Beatty Inn
• Kildare – The Morrison Room at Carton House

Best Use of Social Media

• Carlow – Birdcage Cafe
• Kilkenny – Cafe La Coco
• Laois – The Make & Mark
• Longford – The Rustic Inn
• Louth – Rocksalt Cafe
• Meath – WTF Burgers
• Offaly – JJ Houghs Singing Pub
• Westmeath – Garrison Coffee Co – Athlone Town
• Wexford – Yola Sourdough Bakery & Coffee Shop
• Wicklow – Little Acorn Café
• Kildare – Neighbourhood Naas

Employee Excellence Award – Sponsored by Peninsula

• Carlow – Kelly Mernagh, New Moon Tandoori Indian
• Kilkenny – Anita Massey, The Grill Restaurant at Lyrath Estate
• Laois – Colm Dunne, Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant
• Longford – Frances Nugent, Spice India Longford
• Louth – Sarah McGarry, The Bay Tree Restaurant
• Meath – Laura Jenkins, La Bucca Ratoath
• Offaly – Daniela Botnari, Galileo’s Restaurant
• Westmeath – Robert Dasiak, The Fatted Calf
• Wexford – Jackie Cullen, Mary Barry’s Bar
• Wicklow – Susan O’Brien, Pink Salt Indian Restaurant
• Kildare – Caitriona McGrath, The Ballymore Inn

Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace

• Carlow – Arboretum
• Kilkenny – Nóinín
• Laois – Bowe’s Foodhall & Cafe
• Longford – Spice India Longford
• Louth – The Valley Inn
• Meath – Tribe Restaurant Duleek
• Offaly – JJ Killeen’s
• Westmeath – Dead Centre Brewing
• Wexford – Lobster Pot
• Wicklow – Grangecon Kitchen
• Kildare – Lock 13 Gastropub & Brewpub

Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Paynt

• Carlow – Teach Dolmain
• Kilkenny – Langton’s Bar and Restaurant
• Laois – Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant
• Longford – The Rustic Inn
• Louth – The Glyde Inn
• Meath – The Central Navan
• Offaly – Old Warehouse
• Westmeath – The Villager Bar & Restaurant
• Wexford – Mary Barry’s Bar
• Wicklow – The Wicklow Arms
• Kildare – Town Leixlip

Best Café

• Carlow – Goodly Barrow
• Kilkenny – Knockdrinna Cafe
• Laois – The Wandering Elk
• Longford – Ménara Cafe
• Louth – Strandfield
• Meath – The Happy Cup
• Offaly – The Foxy Bean
• Westmeath – Bastion Kitchen
• Wexford – Grálinn
• Wicklow – Scéal
• Kildare – Sweet Maria

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance

• Carlow – The Cellar Restaurant at the Step House Hotel
• Kilkenny – Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro
• Laois – The Hare’s Corner
• Longford – PVs Longford
• Louth – Number One Jocelyn Bistro
• Meath – The Vanilla Pod Restaurant at Headfort Arms Hotel
• Offaly – Kelly’s Bar
• Westmeath – The Left Bank Bistro
• Wexford – One Hundred Degrees
• Wicklow – Chester Beatty Inn
• Kildare – Dubh

Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square

• Carlow – Brasserie 15
• Kilkenny – Dizzy Goat Restaurant
• Laois – La Vie en Rose
• Longford – Oyama Sushi Japanese Restaurant
• Louth – The Cathedral Restaurant
• Meath – Stonewall Coffee
• Offaly – S Cafe
• Westmeath – Spiced Bean Cafe
• Wexford – Bearú
• Wicklow – Caladh
• Kildare – Mani in Pasta, Newbridge

Pub of the Year – Sponsored by istil.38

• Carlow – Corcorans Bar
• Kilkenny – Malzards Bar and Pub
• Laois – Morrissey’s
• Longford – Duignan’s Tallyho
• Louth – Sarsfields Bar
• Meath – Swan’s Bar
• Offaly – JJ Houghs Singing Pub
• Westmeath – Sean’s Bar
• Wexford – T Morris Bar Wexford
• Wicklow – Frank Duffs
• Kildare – McDonnells Bar and Beer Garden

Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum

• Carlow – Mimosa Bar de Tapas
• Kilkenny – Ristorante Rinuccini
• Laois – Ballyfin Demesne
• Longford – Vocella’s
• Louth – No. 3 Winebar & Restaurant
• Meath – Brabazon Restaurant at Tankardstown House
• Offaly – Hackett’s Eatery at County Arms
• Westmeath – Mistervini
• Wexford – Frank’s Place 1860
• Wicklow – Conlon’s Wine Bar
• Kildare – Ely Wine Store

Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-insurance.ie provided by Dolmen

• Carlow – Mullichain Cafe
• Kilkenny – Butcher Restaurant
• Laois – Batonis
• Longford – Macs Shack
• Louth – Social Bar and Restaurant
• Meath – Hogan’s Farm Shop & Cafe
• Offaly – The Brewery Tap
• Westmeath – The Fatted Calf
• Wexford – Monart
• Wicklow – Daata Greystones
• Kildare – Lawlor’s of Naas

Best World Cuisine

• Carlow – Baht
• Kilkenny – Tābú
• Laois – Mayur Restaurant
• Longford – Chan Oriental
• Louth – Sally Cinnamons
• Meath – Cinnamon Garden Restaurant
• Offaly – Shishir
• Westmeath – Al Mezza Lebanese Restaurant
• Wexford – Mi Asian Street Food
• Wicklow – Pink Salt Indian Restaurant
• Kildare – Picaderos

Best Sustainable Practices – Sponsored by Familia Torres

• Carlow – Coppenagh House Farm
• Kilkenny – The Greenhouse at Mountain View
• Laois – Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery
• Longford – Fiona Egan Cloughan Farm & Cookery School
• Louth – The Gateway Hotel
• Meath – Headfort Arms Hotel
• Offaly – Tullamore Court Hotel
• Westmeath – Glasson Glamping Farm
• Wexford – Monart
• Wicklow – Tinahely Farm Shop
• Kildare – The K Club

Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo

• Carlow – Waterlilies Tullow
• Kilkenny – Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro
• Laois – The Hare’s Corner
• Longford – Fiona Egan Cloughan Farm & Cookery School
• Louth – Mo Chara
• Meath – Tribe Restaurant Duleek
• Offaly – The Bog’s Dollops
• Westmeath – Wholesome Kitchen Restaurant
• Wexford – Partridges Artisan Cafe & Fine Food Shop
• Wicklow – First Batch Bakery
• Kildare – The Dew Drop Inn & Brewhouse

Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap

• Carlow – Tracy Corcoran, The Green Lemon Cafe and Bakery
• Kilkenny – Tracie Daly, Tracie Daly Food Business Coach
• Laois – Aymar Gourdet, Le Skinny Chef
• Longford – David and Martina Burns, Richmount Cordial Company
• Louth – Adam Murray, Biddo’s Street Food
• Meath – The Flaherty Family, What’s for Pudding
• Offaly – Orla Clancy, The Organic Kitchen at Fallons Bar
• Westmeath – Anthony Gilsenan , Twelve Points Killua
• Wexford – Tom and Laura Sinnott, Wexford Home Preserves
• Wicklow – Patrick Ryan, Firehouse Bakery
• Kildare – Ryan Lally, Grá Pizza

Notes to the editor

For more information on the Irish Restaurant Awards 2025 visit: https://irishrestaurantawards.com/faqs/

Official Photographs from the 2025 Leinster Awards: https://irishrestaurantawards.com/official-photos-leinster-regional-awards-2025/

Photo Credit: Paul Sherwood https://sherwood.ie/

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