The best restaurants, pubs, cafes and gastro pubs in every province were revealed at Ireland’s ‘Food Oscars’
Ireland’s best restaurants, pubs, cafes and gastro pubs were revealed this week
The best restaurants, cafes and pubs in Ireland as the winners of the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards were announced this week.
Success was on the menu for Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin city centre as it was named best restaurant in Ireland at Monday’s awards ceremony.
The glitzy awards bash took place at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin, where over 1,000 of the country’s top hospitality professionals, which included owners, chefs, managers and staff, gathered to celebrate the finest establishments in Irish food and drink.
Now in its 17th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards – which have been dubbed Ireland’s ‘Food Oscars’ – received 150,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés and venues across the country.
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.
Taking home the top honours at Monday’s ceremony was Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, which was established in 1981, and became the first Irish restaurant to hold two Michelin stars in 1996, while Ahmet Dede of Dede at The Customs House Baltimore received the award for Best Chef in Ireland.
You can check out this year’s winners in full in the list below:
Best Restaurant – Sponsored by American Express
Leinster: Bramley AbbeyleixConnaught: The Cottage RestaurantMunster: Homestead CottageUlster: NobleDublin: Restaurant Patrick GuilbaudAll Ireland: Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service
Connaught: Dave Mullan, Fish & BeanUlster: Stevie Toman, Ox RestaurantDublin: Mickael Viljanen, Chapter OneLeinster: John Coffey, Thyme RestaurantMunster: Ahmet Dede, Dede at The Customs House BaltimoreAll Ireland: Ahmet Dede, Dede at The Customs House Baltimore
In 2020 Chef Ahmet opened, Dede at The Customs House, which has come to be regarded as the best restaurant in Ireland
Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Paynt
Ulster: Paul Vaughan, James StMunster: Elaine Hourigan, 1826 AdareConnaught: Lorraine McHugh, The SelkieDublin: Darren Campbell, La GorditaLeinster: Carmel Boyle, Ballyfin DemesneAll 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 MarkerLeinster: Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet EstateConnaught: The Lodge at Ashford CastleUlster: Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie EstateMunster: Rare at Blue Haven HotelAll Ireland: Rare at Blue Haven Hotel
Best Use of Social Media – Sponsored by Revolut
Leinster: Arán Artisan Bakery & BistroUlster: Charlie’s Bar, EnniskillenMunster: The Lifeboat InnDublin: Rosa MadreConnaught: The Dough Bros – GalwayAll Ireland: The Dough Bros – Galway
Employee Excellence Award – Sponsored by Peninsula
Dublin: Ashling Griffin, King Sitric Seafood Bar & AccommodationMunster: Ciara O Shea, Caseys Bar & RestaurantUlster: Lina Krolenko, SonderLeinster: Sophie Hogan, Hogan’s Farm Shop & CafeConnaught: Theresa Donlon, Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar and RestaurantAll Ireland: Theresa Donlon, Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar and Restaurant
Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace
Connaught: Mitchell’s RestaurantUlster: Fisk Seafood BarLeinster: Inside OutDublin: VadaMunster: FarmgateAll Ireland: Farmgate
The Irish Restaurant Awards 2026 were held in The Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin on Monday(Image: Paul Sherwood)
Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Hendersons Foodservice
Dublin: F.X. Buckley @ Ryan’s of Parkgate StreetUlster: The Dirty Duck AlehouseMunster: Merrys Gastro PubLeinster: Left BankConnaught: Coyne’s Gastropub & PantryAll Ireland: Coyne’s Gastropub & Pantry
Best Cafe – Sponsored by Illy
Leinster: Grálinn Sunny RowDublin: Two PupsConnaught: Baker 51Munster: Grumpy Bakers – Cork CityUlster: General MerchantsAll Ireland: General Merchants
Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance
Dublin: Volpe NeraConnaught: Blackthorn at The Twelve HotelUlster: No. 9 Market SquareLeinster: BearúMunster: Solas Tapas & WineAll Ireland: Solas Tapas & Wine
Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square
Ulster: Capparelli at The MillLeinster: Ernie’s @ Shackleton ExperienceMunster: 505Connaught: Fawn Food & WineDublin: CometAll Ireland: Comet
Pub of the Year – Sponsored by Bartenders Association of Ireland
Leinster: The Dylan Whisky BarUlster: Linnet InnConnaught: McDonnells BarMunster: J. & K. Walsh Victorian Spirit GrocerDublin: The CobblestoneAll Ireland: The Cobblestone
Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum
Ulster: El Tapas GráLeinster: Delgany Wine CottageMunster: MacCurtain Wine CellarConnaught: Daróg Wine BarDublin: 64 WineAll Ireland: 64 Wine
Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen
Connaught: Harrisons Bar & RestaurantMunster: The Glass CurtainLeinster: Reeds Restaurant at Ferrycarrig HotelDublin: La MaisonUlster: FraeAll Ireland: Frae
Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by National Chef de Partie Apprenticeship & National Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programmes
Leinster: Sanjay’s KitchenConnaught: Kombu – Ramen & Bao BarUlster: Braai Restaurant DonegalDublin: BigfanMunster: MiyazakiAll Ireland: Miyazaki
Best Sustainable Practices – Sponsored by Restaurants Association of Ireland
Dublin: FairmentalUlster: Killeavy Castle EstateMunster: Woodlands House Hotel & SpaLeinster: Solas Eco Garden CentreConnaught: KaiAll Ireland: Kai
Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo
Munster: Slow and SteadyLeinster: The Centre of Food Culture IrelandConnaught: Builín Blasta Cafe & BakeryUlster: Waterman HouseDublin: Mr Fox WhiskeyAll Ireland: Mr Fox Whiskey
Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap Agency
Leinster: Kian Louët-Feisser, Carlingford Oyster CompanyConnaught: Cillian Ó Móráin and Naomi Clarkin, Mescan BreweryDublin: Peter Caviston, Cavistons Restaurant and Food EmporiumUlster: Jordan Weir, The Dairy – Bistro, Butchers & Farm ShopMunster: Eunice Power, Waterford Festival of FoodAll 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 AvonmoreAll Ireland: Picado Mexican Pantry
Best Learning and Development – Sponsored by Restaurant & Hospitality Skillnet
All Ireland: Tifco Hotel Group
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