- Overall (Best Restaurant): Campagne: A Michelin-starred restaurant in Kilkenny city, located under the old railway arches on Gashouse Lane. Led by chef Garrett Byrne since opening in 2008, it offers elegant, French-inspired modern cuisine guided by seasonal produce, with a focus on high-quality cooking, refined presentation, and exceptional value in a comfortable, understated setting.
- Café: Knockdrinna Café, Stonyford. An artisan farmhouse café in the scenic village of Stonyford, near Mount Juliet Estate. It specialises in homemade farmhouse fare with a modern twist, including breakfast options, vegan and vegetarian choices, healthy eating, and fresh bakes. It has won Best Café in Kilkenny for the second consecutive year, praised for its welcoming atmosphere and quality.
- Casual Dining: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro, Kilkenny. A popular artisan bakery and bistro on Barrack Street in Kilkenny, centred around award-winning sourdough breads (multiple Blas na h√âireann winners) made daily with simple ingredients. It offers all-day brunch, private evening dining, takeaway baked goods, and a casual, stylish setting emphasising seasonality and local produce.
- Chef: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate: Executive head chef at the Michelin-starred Lady Helen restaurant on the luxurious Mount Juliet Estate in Thomastown. Renowned for his pursuit of purity, balance, and bold yet elegant flavours using estate-grown, local, and coastal ingredients, he has earned widespread acclaim, including previous titles as Best Chef in Ireland and Leinster.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Dizzy Goat Restaurant, Owning. A farm-to-fork restaurant in Skough near Owning, Castletown (South Kilkenny), run by owners Michelle Bright and Bartosz Surman. It celebrates local, sustainable produce from its own farm (including goats and wild boars), offering fresh, countryside-inspired dishes in a cosy, community-focused setting committed to organic and free-range elements.
- Customer Service: Tābú, Thomastown. A highly regarded tapas restaurant (TƒÅb√∫ Tapas) in Thomastown, known for its flavourful, fresh sharing plates, pizzas, and welcoming vibe. It excels in attentive, caring service that enhances the relaxed, enjoyable dining experience, making it a standout for hospitality in the area.
- Employee Excellence Award: Agnieszka Mokrzycka, Cafe La Coco, Kilkenny. Agnieszka Mokrzycka was recognised for her outstanding dedication and performance at Cafe La Coco in Kilkenny. This award celebrates her exceptional contributions to the team, likely through superb service, enthusiasm, and positive impact on customers and colleagues in this beloved café.
- Gastro Pub: Left Bank, Kilkenny. A vibrant, award-winning gastro pub and bar in the heart of Kilkenny city on The Parade, housed in a renovated historic building. It combines a lively atmosphere with quality bar food (served daily), events, and a central location, making it a go-to spot for casual elevated pub dining and nightlife.
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate. The Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant at the luxurious Mount Juliet Estate in Thomastown, set in a historic Georgian manor house with opulent interiors and pastoral views. Led by head chef John Kelly, it delivers refined, joyful modern cuisine using estate-grown, local, and coastal ingredients in elegant tasting menus, earning consistent high praise for technique, balance, and indulgent experiences.
- Innovator of the Year: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro, Kilkenny. An award-winning artisan bakery and bistro on Barrack Street in Kilkenny city, renowned for its innovative approach to bread-making and dining. It produces daily stone-baked sourdoughs (multiple Blas na h√âireann award-winners) using simple, natural ingredients, alongside seasonal all-day brunch, private evening dining, and takeaway goods in a stylish, casual setting that champions local produce and creativity.
- Local Food Hero: Sean Ring, Ring’s Farm, Castlecomer: Sean Ring of Ring’s Farm in Castlecomer, a passionate organic and free-range poultry producer specialising in high-quality chickens. Converted to organic methods in 2016, he supplies top restaurants, cafés, and butchers across Ireland, earning recognition for his dedication to sustainable farming, ethical practices, and championing local, premium ingredients.
- Newcomer: Wildflower Tearooms, Thomastown. A recently opened tearooms nestled in the serene grounds of Sanctuary at Kilfane House, a restored Georgian estate near Thomastown. It offers relaxed brunch, freshly baked scones, nourishing drinks, and light fare in a peaceful, nature-surrounded setting with walled gardens and walkways, providing a welcoming spot for quiet reflection or casual meet-ups.
- Pub of the Year: The Dylan Whisky Bar, Kilkenny. A celebrated whiskey-focused pub on John Street Lower in Kilkenny city, blending Victorian charm with traditional snug vibes. It boasts an extensive collection of nearly 200 premium world and Irish whiskeys (including rare vintages), tasting platters, live music, and a lively yet intimate atmosphere, recognised for its exceptional hospitality and whiskey expertise.
- Restaurant Manager: Paul Byrne, Zuni Restaurant & Boutique Hotel, Kilkenny: Paul Byrne, the restaurant manager at Zuni Restaurant & Boutique Hotel in Kilkenny city. He was honoured for his outstanding leadership, team management, and commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences in this stylish, central venue known for its modern dining and welcoming service.
- Sustainable Practices: Statham’s by Pembroke Kilkenny. The dining offering at Pembroke Kilkenny hotel (formerly Pembroke Hotel), recognised for its strong emphasis on eco-conscious operations. It focuses on sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and environmentally responsible practices while providing casual dining, breakfasts, and other meals in a central, award-winning hotel setting.
- Use of Social Media: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro, Kilkenny. This Barrack Street bakery and bistro was highlighted for its engaging and effective social media strategy. It showcases its award-winning sourdoughs, seasonal menus, daily bakes, and vibrant atmosphere through creative content, helping to build a strong community presence and attract visitors to its artisan offerings.
- Wine Experience: Ristorante Rinuccini, Kilkenny. A longstanding, family-run Italian restaurant opposite Kilkenny Castle, renowned for its exceptional wine list and pairings. It offers a sophisticated selection of Italian and international wines that complement its classic dishes, providing a refined, memorable wine-focused dining experience in an elegant, historic setting.
- World Cuisine: Tābú, Thomastown. A vibrant tapas restaurant in Thomastown, specialising in global-inspired sharing plates, pizzas, and flavourful international dishes. It blends fresh, creative world cuisine with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and standout service, earning praise for bringing diverse, enjoyable global flavours to the local scene.
Restaurant awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow – Overall – County winners – Good Food Ireland – Michelin Star
Dining
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
2026 Irish Restaurant awards by county:
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
2025 Irish Restaurant awards by county:
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
2024 Irish Restaurant awards by county:
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Kilkenny is a county of medieval charm, with Kilkenny City’s castle and St Canice’s Cathedral showcasing well-preserved architecture and round towers. The Dunmore Cave offers intriguing limestone formations, while the Nore Valley’s walking trails provide scenic beauty. Other attractions include the historic Jerpoint Abbey’s intricate carvings. Kilkenny is Ireland’s 16th largest county by size (2,062 square km) and 21st largest by population (104,160). Population peaked at 202,420 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 60,463 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Kilkenny is Ireland’s eleventh most visited tourist county with around 207,000 international visitors per year.
Ireland’s County Kilkenny:
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