Ulster’s Culinary Stars Shine at the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards
County winners representing the best in food and hospitality across Ulster were celebrated at the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards Ulster Regional Final on Tuesday, March 24th, at the Armagh City Hotel as reported by RTÉ. The event, now in its 17th year, saw over 1,100 guests in attendance at the Killashee Hotel in Kildare, following more than 150,000 public nominations submitted via The Irish Times according to the Irish Restaurant Awards website.
The awards recognize excellence across various categories, from best restaurant to employee excellence. Regional and All-Ireland winners will be revealed at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 18th, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin as detailed by The Irish Times. County winners from Leinster have been invited to secure tickets for the national ceremony.
County Winners Announced
Here’s a breakdown of the county winners across key categories:
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
Additional Award Categories and Winners
- Employee Excellence – Sponsored by Peninsula: Winners were recognized across all counties for outstanding service.
- Best Employ of Social Media: Recognizing restaurants effectively utilizing social media platforms.
- Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace: Celebrating relaxed dining experiences.
- Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by National Chef de Partie Apprenticeship & National Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programmes: Honoring diverse culinary offerings.
- Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Hendersons Foodservice: Acknowledging establishments blending pub atmosphere with high-quality food.
- Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance: Celebrating modern interpretations of Irish dishes.
- Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square: Recognizing recently established restaurants.
- Pub of the Year: Celebrating traditional Irish pubs.
- Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum: Highlighting restaurants with exceptional wine selections and service.
- Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie provided by Dolmen: Recognizing establishments prioritizing customer satisfaction.
- Best Café – Sponsored by Illy: Celebrating quality café experiences.
- Best Sustainable Practices: Recognizing environmentally conscious restaurants.
- Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo: Celebrating creativity and innovation in the restaurant industry.
- Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap Agency: Honoring individuals championing local produce and ingredients.
The Irish Restaurant Awards continue to be a significant event in the hospitality sector, showcasing the talent and dedication within Ireland’s culinary landscape as highlighted on their official website.
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