- Overall: Mulcahy’s, Kenmare. A renowned fine-dining restaurant on Main Street in Kenmare, run by Bruce and Laura Mulcahy. It offers elegant modern Irish cuisine with seasonal, local produce, refined presentation, and consistent high standards, frequently celebrated as one of Kerry’s premier dining spots.
- Café: Willow, Milltown . A delightful, community-favourite café in Milltown, known for its quality coffee, fresh baked goods, light meals, and cosy, inviting atmosphere that stands out in rural Kerry.
- Casual Dining: Bianconi, Killorglin . A welcoming pub-restaurant in Killorglin, offering hearty, great-value casual meals, pub classics, and a relaxed, traditional Irish setting with strong local appeal.
- Chef: Gary Fitzgerald, Vendricks Restaurant, Killarney . Head chef at Vendricks Restaurant in Killarney, recognised for his creative, skillful cooking and contributions to elevating Kerry’s contemporary dining scene with fresh, local-focused dishes.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Solas Tapas & Wine, Dingle. A vibrant tapas bar in Dingle (with Michelin Bib Gourmand status), led by Nicky Foley and Ann Connell. It creatively blends Spanish-style small plates with premium Irish ingredients, delivering bold, innovative flavours and excellent value in a lively setting.
- Customer Service: Allie’s Coffee Shop, Listowel. Praised for its warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly hospitality at this popular Listowel café, where staff make every visitor feel special and cared for.
- Employee Excellence Award: Paul Collins, Kingstons Boutique Hotel & Pub, Killorglin . Honouring Paul Collins for his exceptional dedication, professionalism, and positive impact as an employee at this boutique hotel and pub in Killorglin.
- Gastro Pub: McMunns Bar, Ballybunion. A coastal gastro pub in Ballybunion, acclaimed for its elevated pub food using quality local ingredients, craft drinks, and a genuine, welcoming seaside pub experience.
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Lake Restaurant at The Lake Hotel, Killarney T. he fine-dining restaurant at The Lake Hotel in Killarney, offering polished, high-end meals with scenic lake views, seasonal local produce, and excellent hotel hospitality.
- Innovator of the Year: Killarney Urban Farm X The Tan Yard Tour & Taste Experience, Killarney . A groundbreaking collaboration between Killarney Urban Farm (a sustainable hydroponic farm) and The Tan Yard restaurant, featuring guided tours, farm-fresh cocktails/canapés, and innovative farm-to-fork dining experiences emphasising sustainability and local freshness.
- Local Food Hero: Zaneta Labuz-Czerwien, Rustic Boowa, Tralee . Recognising Zaneta Labuz-Czerwien for her commitment to local, quality ingredients and community-focused food at Rustic Boowa in Tralee, championing Kerry’s produce.
- Newcomer: 505, Dingle, A fresh, exciting new restaurant in Dingle, awarded for its promising quality, creative approach, and strong early impression in one of Kerry’s top food towns.
- Pub of the Year: Dan Foley’s Pub, Annascaul , A traditional, atmospheric pub in Annascaul, celebrated for its authentic Irish pub vibe, excellent drinks, live music, and hearty offerings in a classic setting.
- Restaurant Manager: Laura Mulcahy, Mulcahy’s, Kenmare, Commending Laura Mulcahy for her outstanding leadership, operational excellence, and management at the multi-award-winning Mulcahy’s in Kenmare.
- Sustainable Practices: Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, Tralee , Honoured for its strong eco-conscious efforts, including sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and green operations at this upscale Tralee hotel and spa.
- Use of Social Media: Danú at the Brehon Hotel & Angsana Spa, Killarney, Recognised for its creative, engaging social media that effectively promotes its dining, events, and luxurious experiences at Danú within The Brehon Hotel in Killarney.
- Wine Experience: The Falls Restaurant at Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare , Celebrated for its exceptional wine list, expert sommelier knowledge, thoughtful pairings, and refined wine-focused dining at this luxurious lodge restaurant in Kenmare.
- World Cuisine: Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, Killarney A popular Killarney spot specialising in authentic Japanese cuisine, offering fresh, high-quality sushi, sashimi, and other dishes prepared with skill in a welcoming environment.
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 Kerry:
Kerry is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, with the Ring of Kerry offering scenic drives past lakes and coastal cliffs. Killarney National Park features the serene Lakes of Killarney and historic Muckross House, while Dingle’s coastal trails and dolphin-watching opportunities add natural allure. Accessible by seasonal ferry, the Skellig Islands’ ancient monastic ruins make Kerry a compelling choice for outdoor adventure and history. Kerry is Ireland’s fifth largest county by size (4,701 square km) and 15th largest by population (156,458). Population peaked at 293,880 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 112,785 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Kerry is Ireland’s fourth most visited tourist county with around 877,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Breweries & Distilleries – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted– Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury– MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist –Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
