[25/03/2026] The very best from across Ulster’s hospitality sector gathered last night for the Irish Restaurant Awards Ulster Regional Final 2026, marking the third event in this year’s awards series. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, March 24th at the Armagh City Hotel, where winners were announced across a range of categories at county level. 

More than 600 guests were in attendance to celebrate the contribution of hospitality businesses operating throughout the province. 

The Irish Restaurant Awards, now in their 17th year, received over 150,000 nominations from the public, submitted through The Irish Times, the awards official media partner. 

Following the conclusion of all regional events, regional and national winners will be announced at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 18th at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. County winners from Ulster will now progress to the national stage. 

Addressing attendees, Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said: 

“The standard of hospitality businesses across Ulster continues to be extremely high and that is reflected in the winners recognised here tonight. These businesses are operating in a challenging environment but continue to deliver quality and consistency for their customers.” 

“Food tourism is a key part of Ireland’s offering, with around 35% of a tourist’s spend going on food. Hospitality businesses across Ulster play an important role in that, while also supporting jobs in their local communities and working closely with local suppliers. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees and winners.” 

Please find below the full list of this year’s county winners from Ulster:  

Best Restaurant – Sponsored by American Express 
Antrim: The Muddlers Club Restaurant 
Cavan: MacNean House & Restaurant 
Derry: Artis Restaurant by Phelim O’ Hagan 
Donegal: The Lemon Tree 
Down: Noble 
Fermanagh: Tully Mill Restaurant 
Monaghan: Courthouse Restaurant 
Tyrone: The Brewer’s House 
Armagh: Sinton’s at The Bridge 

Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service 
Antrim: Stevie Toman, Ox Restaurant 
Cavan: Peter Styskal, People’s Restaurant 
Derry: Stevie McCarry, Lir 
Donegal: Colin Bradley, The Restaurant at Harvey’s Point 
Down: Sean Tinman, Frae 
Fermanagh: Glen Wheeler, 28 At The Hollow 
Monaghan: Karl Breen, Wild Thyme 
Tyrone: Vincent Mahon, Oysters Restaurant 
Armagh: Darragh Dooley, Killeavy Castle Estate 

Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Paynt 
Antrim: Paul Vaughan, James St 
Cavan: Christopher McPartlin, MacNean House & Restaurant 
Derry: Roisin O’Donnell, Browns in Town 
Donegal: Susan Miah, Chandpur Restaurant 
Down: Davina McGowan, Wine and Brine 
Fermanagh: Margaret Elliot-Tredinnick, The Dog and Duck Inn 
Monaghan: Charlotte Carr, Courthouse Restaurant 
Tyrone: Shane Breslin, The Banks Restaurant 
Armagh: Claire Macklin, Digby’s Bar & Restaurant 

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant 
Antrim: Bushmills Townhouse 
Cavan: Cabra Castle Hotel 
Derry: Oak Room Restaurant at The Ebrington Hotel 
Donegal: Castle Grove Country House Hotel 
Down: Newforge House 
Fermanagh: Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Resort 
Monaghan: Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate 
Tyrone: Corick House Hotel & Spa 
Armagh: Killeavy Castle Estate 

Employee Excellence – Sponsored by Peninsula 
Antrim: Aiden Adams, The Deer’s Head 
Cavan: Jean Wilson, Virginia Park Lodge 
Derry: Colin McLindan, Harry’s Shack 
Donegal: Lina Krolenko, Sonder 
Down: Mine Bennet, Noble 
Fermanagh: Rebecca Ford, The Street Kitchen Enniskillen 
Monaghan: Dean Coyne, Hillgrove Hotel, Leisure & Spa 
Tyrone: Bernie Broderick, The Cheeky Fox 
Armagh: Fabio Chessa, Zio 

Best Use of Social Media 
Antrim: Nova 
Cavan: Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort 
Derry: Yum Cakes 
Donegal: Shandon Hotel & Spa 
Down: The Dirty Duck Alehouse 
Fermanagh: Charlie’s Bar, Enniskillen 
Monaghan: The Squealing Pig Bar & Restaurant 
Tyrone: The Gasworks 
Armagh: Sojourn Coffee 

Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace 
Antrim: Square Bistro 
Cavan: Chapter One Food & Living Cavan 
Derry: Amici Ristorante 
Donegal: Fisk Seafood Bar 
Down: Buck’s Head Inn 
Fermanagh: Franco’s 
Monaghan: Ambledown Cottage 
Tyrone: El Greco 
Armagh: Viet By Vee 

Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by National Chef de Partie Apprenticeship & National Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programmes 
Antrim: Amaravathi Belfast 
Cavan: Chilli Lounge 
Derry: Mekong 
Donegal: Braai Restaurant Donegal 
Down: Lasa 
Fermanagh: Dollakis 
Monaghan: Eastern Balti 
Tyrone: Tusk 
Armagh: Spice Lounge 

Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Hendersons Foodservice 
Antrim: The Deer’s Head 
Cavan: Murph’s Gastro Pub at The Derragarra Inn 
Derry: Walled City Brewery 
Donegal: The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box 
Down: The Dirty Duck Alehouse 
Fermanagh: Irvine’s Steakhouse & Bar 
Monaghan: Andy’s Bar & Restaurant 
Tyrone: The Gasworks 
Armagh: Digby’s Bar & Restaurant 

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance 
Antrim: Beau Restaurant 
Cavan: The Olde Post Inn 
Derry: The Fold 
Donegal: No. 9 Market Square 
Down: Origin 101 
Fermanagh: The Street Kitchen Enniskillen 
Monaghan: Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate 
Tyrone: Moghrá 
Armagh: Sally McNallys 

Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square 
Antrim: Luna 
Cavan: Café Nua Lurganboy 
Derry: The Fold 
Donegal: Mo Chlann Coffee & Bar 
Down: Capparelli at The Mill 
Fermanagh: Emilia’s Pizza 
Monaghan: An Nead 
Tyrone: Sadie’s Pantry 
Armagh: Jireh – Filipino Asian Cuisine and Cafe 

Pub of the Year 
Antrim: The Garrick 
Cavan: Abbey Bar 
Derry: Portstewart Arms 
Donegal: Bridge Inn Dungloe 
Down: Dundrum Inn 
Fermanagh: Linnet Inn 
Monaghan: Terry’s Bar 
Tyrone: Brodericks Bar & Off Licence 
Armagh: The Hole In The Wall 

Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum 
Antrim: The Crafty Vintner Tasting Room 
Cavan: Wine Goose Cellar at Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort 
Derry: El Tapas Grá 
Donegal: The Restaurant at Harvey’s Point 
Down: Maggies Wine Bar 
Fermanagh: Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Resort 
Monaghan: DV Lounge at Westenra Arms Hotel 
Tyrone: The Tasting Room at The Wine Rack 
Armagh: Charlemont Arms Hotel 

Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie provided by Dolmen 
Antrim: Shu Restaurant Belfast 
Cavan: Atrium Bar at Cavan Crystal Hotel 
Derry: Ardtara Country House 
Donegal: Yellow Pepper 
Down: Frae 
Fermanagh: Franco’s 
Monaghan: Jimmy’s Bar & Restaurant 
Tyrone: Brew & Bia 
Armagh: Mulberry Bistro 

Best Café – Sponsored by Illy 
Antrim: General Merchants 
Cavan: Hard Boiled Egg Cafe 
Derry: Vittle Bakeshop 
Donegal: Mrs B’s Coffee House 
Down: Cultura 
Fermanagh: The Toastery 
Monaghan: Screaming Bean Café 
Tyrone: The Kitchen 
Armagh: Sojourn Coffee 

Best Sustainable Practices 
Antrim: Ursa Minor 
Cavan: Oak Room Restaurant 
Derry: Lo & Slo 
Donegal: Castle Grove Country House Hotel 
Down: Clandeboye Lodge Hotel 
Fermanagh: Tully Mill Restaurant 
Monaghan: Wild Thyme 
Tyrone: Oysters Restaurant 
Armagh: Killeavy Castle Estate 

Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo 
Antrim: Waterman House 
Cavan: Blossoms by Marissa 
Derry: Umi 
Donegal: Dip’N’Sip 
Down: Underground Dining 
Fermanagh: 28 at the Hollow 
Monaghan: Screaming Bean Café 
Tyrone: Moghrá 
Armagh: The Corner House 

Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap Agency 
Antrim: Jordan Weir, The Dairy – Bistro, Butchers & Farm Shop 
Cavan: Kieron and Claire Moran, Moran’s Mega Jam 
Derry: Emily McCorkell, Lo & Slo 
Donegal: Martin Anderson, Sonder 
Down: Melissa McCabe, Feast 
Fermanagh: Joe Kelly, Joe the Baker 
Monaghan: Gareth Moore, Fatboy Sauces 
Tyrone: Kevin Clarke, Oysters Restaurant 
Armagh: The Dougan Family, Ballymoran Meats 

Notes to the Editor  

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

Official photographs from the 2026 Ulster Awards can be found here:   https://irishrestaurantawards.com/official-photos-ulster-2026/https://irishrestaurantawards.com/official-photos-ulster-2026/

Unfortunately, due to the large number of photos taken on the night and the high attendance at the awards, photo captions are not available. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.  

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

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