- Overall (Best Restaurant): Thyme Restaurant, Athlone. A Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded neighbourhood restaurant in Athlone (on Custume Place, Strand Street), established in 2007 by chef/owner John Coffey and his wife Tara. It specialises in creative modern Irish cuisine using seasonal, locally sourced produce with precise execution, harmonious flavours, and warm hospitality in an elegant yet approachable setting-consistently praised for value, quality, and innovation, securing both the county overall title and the Leinster regional Best Restaurant honour.
- Café: The Stables Tea Rooms, Packenham Hall, Castlepollard. A charming tearooms set in the historic stable courtyard of Tullynally Castle & Gardens (also known as Packenham Hall) in Castlepollard. It offers homemade refreshments, delicious bakes, light lunches, quality coffees, teas, cold drinks, and ice creams in a scenic, peaceful environment with indoor and covered outdoor seating-perfect for visitors enjoying the castle grounds and gardens during the open season.
- Casual Dining: Poppy Fields Cafe, Athlone. A popular, family-run café on Payne’s Lane in Loughanaskin, Athlone, known for its hearty, homemade offerings including all-day breakfasts, fresh breads, sconces, cakes, daily ‘Today’s Specials’ (four hot options updated regularly), lasagne, and healthy/vegetarian choices. It provides great value, friendly service, and a welcoming neighbourhood vibe in a relaxed setting.
- Chef: John Coffey, Thyme Restaurant, Athlone: John Coffey, chef and owner of Thyme Restaurant in Athlone (since 2007). A talented, passionate chef celebrated for his innovative yet precise modern Irish cooking, focus on local seasonal ingredients, and ability to deliver harmonious, high-quality dishes-earning multiple accolades including this Best Chef win and contributing to Thyme’s longstanding Michelin Bib Gourmand status.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Days Bazaar Mullingar. A premium café and eatery on Oliver Plunkett Street in Mullingar, blending daytime casual dining with evening ‘Nights Bazaar’ sharing-style experiences. It sources the finest local ingredients for healthy, flavourful modern Irish dishes, fine foods, drinks, and a dog-friendly atmosphere-recognised for its contemporary approach, vibrant menu, and community appeal (open daily with extended hours).
- Customer Service: Il Colosseo, Athlone. An Italian restaurant in Athlone, honoured for its exceptional, warm, and attentive hospitality. Staff deliver genuine, personalised care that enhances the dining experience, making it a standout for customer-focused service in the local scene.
- Employee Excellence Award: Aimee Clarke, James Joyce Restaurant at Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar. Aimee Clarke was recognised for her outstanding dedication and performance at the James Joyce Restaurant within the historic Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar. This award highlights her exceptional contributions, likely through superb service, enthusiasm, teamwork, and positive impact on guests and colleagues in this classic hotel dining venue.
- Gastro Pub: The Villager Bar & Restaurant, Athlone. A popular gastro pub in Athlone, combining traditional pub warmth with elevated, homemade food using fresh ingredients. It offers quality pub meals, a strong drinks selection, and a relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere-celebrated for its hospitality and consistent standards in the gastro pub category.
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar: This four-star family-friendly hotel on the outskirts of Mullingar features a welcoming restaurant offering high-quality dining with fresh Irish ingredients, classic dishes, carvery lunches, and seasonal menus. It combines elegant yet relaxed hotel hospitality with reliable service in a comfortable setting, earning recognition as Westmeath’s top hotel/guesthouse restaurant for its consistent standards and guest-focused experience.
- Innovator of the Year: Irish Craft Soda Company, Athlone: This creative producer, based at Dead Centre Brewing in Athlone, crafts premium non-alcoholic craft sodas using natural ingredients, real flavours, and traditional methods as healthier alternatives to sugary drinks. It stands out for innovative beverage production, sustainability, and quality, winning for its fresh approach to pushing boundaries in the non-alcoholic sector.
- Local Food Hero: The Gillivan Family, Gillivan’s Moate Meats, Moate: The Gillivan family runs this respected butcher shop in Moate, specialising in premium, locally sourced meats with exceptional freshness and traditional butchery expertise. They are celebrated for supplying high-quality products to restaurants and the community, championing Irish provenance, farming standards, and passionate dedication to local food excellence.
- Newcomer: The Lough Ree Inn, Coosan: Reopened in 2025 under new owners Laura and Gerry Murtagh, this scenic pub and eatery near Lough Ree in Coosan quickly became a local favourite. It offers hearty meals, quality drinks, coffee, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere with lakeside views, earning rapid acclaim for its value, hospitality, and strong community appeal in its first year.
- Pub of the Year: The Snug Bar, Athlone: A classic, beloved pub in Athlone, The Snug Bar is known for its authentic traditional Irish pub experience, excellent pints (particularly Guinness), cosy snug layout, warm hospitality, and vibrant community vibe. It blends historic charm with welcoming service, making it a standout local favourite.
- Restaurant Manager: Trevor Byrne, Scanlons Pub, Kinnegad: Trevor Byrne is recognised for his exceptional leadership and management at Scanlons Pub in Kinnegad, delivering outstanding service, motivating his team, and providing warm, professional hospitality that elevates guest experiences and supports the pub’s success and reputation.
- Sustainable Practices: Bastion Kitchen, Athlone: This popular Athlone venue leads in eco-conscious operations, prioritising sustainable local and seasonal sourcing, waste reduction, ethical practices, and green initiatives in its kitchen and café management. It sets a high standard for environmental responsibility while maintaining quality food and a welcoming atmosphere.
- Use of Social Media: Weir’s Bar & Restaurant, Multyfarnham: This family-run bar and restaurant in Multyfarnham excels with highly engaging social media content that showcases daily food specials, events, welcoming vibes, community stories, and offerings. It effectively builds loyalty, connections, and visibility through creative, consistent online presence.
- Wine Experience: The Left Bank Bistro, Athlone: This acclaimed bistro in Athlone features an outstanding wine programme with a curated selection of quality wines, expert knowledge, thoughtful pairings, and knowledgeable service. It complements its modern Irish and international cuisine, earning praise for enhancing dining with exceptional wine-focused hospitality.
- World Cuisine: Spice India Athlone: A popular Indian restaurant in Athlone, Spice India delivers authentic, flavour-packed curries, tandoori specials, and classic dishes with consistent quality, generous portions, and creative elements. It stands out for excellence in world (primarily Indian) cuisine and warm, neighbourhood dining.
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
Ireland’s County Westmeath:
Westmeath offers a blend of lakes and historic charm, with Athlone Castle providing insights into medieval Ireland along the Shannon River. The Belvedere House and Gardens showcase Georgian elegance, while Lough Ree offers boating and fishing opportunities. Other attractions include the ancient Fore Abbey and its monastic ruins and traditional seven wonders. Westmeath is Ireland’s tenth smallest county by size (1,763 square km) and 11th smallest by population (96,221). Population peaked at 141,300 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 52,861 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Westmeath is Ireland’s 22nd most visited tourist county with around 95,000 international visitors per year.
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