March 26th, 2025 – The Irish Restaurant Awards Munster Regional Final took place last night, celebrating the outstanding contributions of the food and hospitality industry across the province. The awards ceremony was held on Tuesday, March 25th, at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Little Island, Cork, where county winners were announced.

With over 700 attendees in attendance, the event honoured the dedication and excellence of the hospitality sector throughout Munster. Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received nearly 165,000 public nominations, submitted through The Irish Times, the official media partner of the awards.

As the regional finals continue, anticipation builds for the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner, where both regional and overall national winners will be revealed. The grand event is set to take place on Monday, May 19th, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. County winners from Munster can now secure their tickets for what promises to be a great evening.

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

“Tonight, we gather to honour the dedication and determination of those who keep Munster’s hospitality industry going, even in the most challenging times. The past year has tested the resilience of our sector, making it more important than ever to recognise the passion, creativity and sheer hard work that drive it forward.”

“The Munster Regional Awards highlight the outstanding talent that makes this region a vital part of Ireland’s food culture. I want to extend my sincere congratulations to all the winners and nominees. Your commitment and perseverance are what keep this industry alive.”

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

Best Restaurant – Sponsored by San Miguel

• Clare – Homestead Cottage
• Kerry – Mulcahy’s
• Limerick – 1826 Adare
• Tipperary – Chez Hans
• Waterford – Everett’s Restaurant
• Cork – Dede at the Customs House Baltimore

Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service

• Clare – Cezary Sodel, Oar Restaurant & Rooms
• Kerry – Sean Roche, Doyle’s Seafood Restaurant
• Limerick – Angel Pirev, The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge
• Tipperary – Stefan McEnteer, The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
• Waterford – Luis Martin, Mara
• Cork – Brian Murray, The Glass Curtain

Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Elavon

• Clare – Sophie McCauley, Homestead Cottage
• Kerry – Cathriona Fitzgerald, Natterjack Bar & Restaurant
• Limerick – John Edward Joyce, The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge
• Tipperary – Louise Matthiae, Chez Hans
• Waterford – Alan O’Shea, 360 Cookhouse
• Cork – Ronan Sharpe, Elbow Lane

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant – Sponsored by Frylite

• Clare – The Dining Room at Gregans Castle Hotel
• Kerry – Landline at Park Hotel Kenmare
• Limerick – The Oak Room at Adare Manor
• Tipperary – The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
• Waterford – The Roseville Rooms at Faithlegg House Hotel
• Cork – Rare 1784 at Blue Haven Hotel

Best Use of Social Media

• Clare – Hotel Woodstock
• Kerry – Danú at The Brehon
• Limerick – 101 Limerick
• Tipperary – The Runnerbean Coffee Shop
• Waterford – GROW HQ
• Cork – Paladar

Employee Excellence Award – Sponsored by Peninsula

• Clare – Alex Beyou, Dromoland Castle Hotel

• Kerry – Donal Harte, Ballygarry Estate Hotel
• Limerick – Milan Gautam, The Savoy Hotel
• Tipperary – Karli Fee, Central House Dining Room
• Waterford – Geraldine Ward, Everett’s Restaurant
• Cork – Allen Daly, Goldie

Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace

• Clare – Morrissey’s of Doonbeg
• Kerry – O’Carroll’s Cove
• Limerick – Hook & Ladder
• Tipperary – The Cellar Bar at Bailey’s Hotel
• Waterford – Momo Restaurant
• Cork – Son of a Bun

Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Paynt

• Clare – Linnane’s Lobster Bar
• Kerry – J. M. Reidy’s
• Limerick – Collins Bar Dooradoyle
• Tipperary – The Arch Bar
• Waterford – The Moorings
• Cork – O’Mahony’s of Watergrasshill

Best Café

• Clare – Sweet ‘n’ Green
• Kerry – LUNA
• Limerick – Café Rosé
• Tipperary – Oh Sugar
• Waterford – Seagull Bakery
• Cork – Praline Pastry & Chocolate Café

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance

• Clare – Glas Restaurant at Hotel Doolin
• Kerry – Lagom Restaurant
• Limerick – The East Room Restaurant
• Tipperary – Larkins Bar & Restaurant
• Waterford – Eamo & Ró
• Cork – Saint Francis Provisions

Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square

• Clare – Oileán
• Kerry – Willow Café
• Limerick – The Olive Tree Restaurant
• Tipperary – Sadler’s Restaurant
• Waterford – Zuca Brew
• Cork – Baba’de

Pub of the Year – Sponsored by istil.38

• Clare – Nora Culligans
• Kerry – An Siopa Dubh
• Limerick – The Creamery
• Tipperary – The Thatch Pub Cloneen
• Waterford – Tully’s Bar
• Cork – Sin É

Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum

• Clare – Henry’s Bistro & Wine Bar
• Kerry – The Falls Restaurant at Sheen Falls Lodge
• Limerick – The Copper Room
• Tipperary – The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
• Waterford – UNioN Wine Bar & Kitchen
• Cork – L’Atitude 51 Wine Bar

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

• Clare – Russells Seafood Bar at Fiddle + Bow
• Kerry – Kingstons Bar & Townhouse
• Limerick – Cornstore Limerick
• Tipperary – O’Neills Bistro
• Waterford – Slow and Steady Café
• Cork – Restaurant Chestnut

Best World Cuisine

• Clare – The Alley Asia
• Kerry – Tango Street Food
• Limerick – Dasco DeLi
• Tipperary – Bodega 1830
• Waterford – Mezze
• Cork – The Dosa Spot

Best Sustainable Practices – Sponsored by Familia Torres

• Clare – The Armada Hotel
• Kerry – Ballygarry Estate Hotel
• Limerick – Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa
• Tipperary – Cloughjordan Ecovillage
• Waterford – GROW HQ
• Cork – The Town Coffee Company

Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo

• Clare – The Armada Hotel
• Kerry – Solas Tapas & Wine
• Limerick – 1314 Limerick
• Tipperary – The Lazy Cow Coffee House
• Waterford – Dún Artisan Bakery
• Cork – Trawler Boyz Ballycotton

Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap

• Clare – Kasha Connolly, Hazel Mountain Chocolate
• Kerry – Karen Coakley, Kenmare Foodie
• Limerick – Julius Fako, Republic of Grill
• Tipperary – Shannon Forrest & Declan Malone, Rivesci
• Waterford – Sarah Richards, Seagull Bakery
• Cork – Donal & Virginia O’Gara, My Goodness

Notes to the editor 

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

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

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

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