The Lady Helen Claims Top Honor
The Lady Helen at Mount Juliet secured the restaurant of the year title at the 2026 Food & Wine Restaurant of the Year Awards, rte.ie reported.
The Michelin-starred destination serves modern cuisine inside a 260-year-old country manor under the direction of Chef John Kelly.
Mount Juliet’s estate collected multiple trophies during the ceremony. Tom Phelan won pastry chef of the year after completing nine years of service at the Kildare property, while the venue also swept the Leinster regional categories for best restaurant and best chef.
Judges selected the 2026 competition winners
Judges for the 2026 competition included a panel of journalists and industry experts such as Ali Dunworth, Aoife Carrigy, Bairbre Power, Cathal McBride, Gillian Nelis, Joanne Cronin, Marcus O’Laoire, and the late Corinna Hardgrave, who passed away in October. Artie Clifford of Blas na hÉireann entered the Hall of Fame during the event.
Additional winners span Dublin, Munster, Connaught, and Ulster:
- Chef of the Year: Damien Grey of Liath
- Casual Dining of the Year: Chubbys
- Wine Experience of the Year: Green Man Wines
- Cocktail Experience of the Year: Pig’s Lane
- Young Chef of the Year: Aine Budds of Comet
- Customer Service of the Year: La Gordita
- Café of the Year: The Good Day Deli
- Newcomer of the Year: Mongoose
- Innovator of the Year: UCC Students’ Union
- Hotel Restaurant of the Year: Landline at The Park, Kenmare
Regional Excellence Across Ireland
Regional titles highlighted culinary standouts across the four provinces alongside Dublin.
Munster winners featured Dede for best restaurant, Rebeca Recarey Sanchez of St Francis Provisions for best chef, St Francis Provisions for casual dining, and Rare for wine experience. Connaught recognized Daróg for restaurant and wine experience, Liam Finnegan for best chef, and Savoir Faire for casual dining.
Ulster celebrated Capparelli at the Mill for restaurant, Chris McClurg of Regency House for best chef, Groucho’s for casual dining, and Noble for wine experience. Leinster awards outside Mount Juliet went to The Grainstore at Kilruddery for casual dining and The K Club for wine experience.
Who won the 2026 awards?
Who entered the Hall of Fame at the 2026 ceremony?
Artie Clifford of Blas na hÉireann received induction into the Food & Wine Restaurant of the Year Hall of Fame for 2026.
Which venue won hotel restaurant of the year?
Landline at The Park, Kenmare captured the hotel restaurant category for 2026.
Who won young chef of the year?
Aine Budds of Comet earned the young chef of the year title for 2026.
Related reading