- Overall: Everett’s Restaurant, Waterford city A standout fine-dining bistro in the heart of Waterford city, set in a historic 15th-century building. Led by chef Peter Everett, it specialises in exceptional modern Irish cooking with seasonal, local ingredients, earning consistent praise (including a Michelin Bib Gourmand) for its welcoming atmosphere, creative dishes, and quality execution.
- Café: Cass & Co., Waterford city A charming gourmet café and deli (with locations including Dungarvan ties, but recognised here in the city context), renowned for top-class coffee, fresh salads, sandwiches, artisan cakes, and a focus on high-quality Irish produce in a cosy, inviting setting.
- Casual Dining: Farmgate, Waterford city A popular, approachable spot in Waterford city offering hearty, value-driven casual meals with a farm-to-table emphasis, delivering comforting classics and fresh local flavours in a relaxed, friendly environment.
- Chef: Luis Martin, Mara, Waterford city Head chef and owner of Mara (formerly The Old Couch Café) in Waterford city, honoured for his innovative, precise modern cooking—blending Spanish influences with premium Irish ingredients in a unique, bijou fine-dining experience.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Pier Restaurant, Dunmore East A scenic seaside restaurant in Dunmore East, celebrated for its fresh, seasonal contemporary Irish dishes—particularly seafood—highlighting local produce with elegant, flavour-forward presentation in a coastal setting.
- Customer Service: Molly’s, Waterford city Recognised for its warm, attentive, and exceptional hospitality at this Waterford city venue, where staff create welcoming, memorable experiences for every guest.
- Employee Excellence Award: Jennifer Walsh, La Alegria Cafe, Waterford city Honouring Jennifer Walsh for her outstanding dedication, professionalism, and positive contributions as an employee at La Alegria Cafe in Waterford city.
- Gastro Pub: Merrys Gastro Pub, Waterford city A lively gastro pub in Waterford city, praised for elevated pub fare using quality local ingredients, craft drinks, and a vibrant yet comfortable atmosphere blending traditional pub charm with refined dining.
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Hanoras Cottage, Cappoquin The acclaimed restaurant at this charming guesthouse in the scenic Blackwater Valley near Cappoquin, known for its cosy, high-quality dining with seasonal local produce and personalised hospitality.
- Innovator of the Year: Slow and Steady, Waterford city Awarded for creative innovation in food concepts, operations, or offerings at this forward-thinking Waterford city establishment.
- Local Food Hero: Eunice Power, Waterford Festival of Food, Waterford city Celebrating Eunice Power for her tireless work championing local produce, community events, and Waterford’s food scene through the acclaimed Waterford Festival of Food.
- Newcomer: Sunset Orange, Tramore A promising new venue in coastal Tramore, recognised for its fresh approach, quality food and drinks, and strong early impact on the local dining landscape.
- Pub of the Year: J. & K. Walsh Victorian Spirit Grocer, Waterford city A characterful, historic pub in Waterford city with Victorian charm, awarded for its authentic atmosphere, excellent drinks selection, great service, and solid pub offerings.
- Restaurant Manager: Kamila Bystrzonowska, Momo, Waterford city Praising Kamila Bystrzonowska for exemplary leadership, seamless operations, and outstanding management at Momo, a popular Waterford city spot.
- Sustainable Practices: Dún Artisan Bakery, Dungarvan Honoured for strong eco-friendly commitments, including ethical sourcing, waste reduction, and sustainable baking practices at this artisan bakery in Dungarvan.
- Use of Social Media: The Olive Cafe, Dungarvan Recognised for its engaging, creative social media presence that effectively showcases its menu, vibe, and offerings at this popular Dungarvan café.
- Wine Experience: Union Wine Bar & Kitchen, Waterford city Celebrated for its impressive curated wine list, expert pairings, knowledgeable service, and refined wine-focused dining in Waterford city.
- World Cuisine: Mezze, Waterford city A standout Waterford city restaurant specialising in Mediterranean/Middle Eastern-inspired world cuisine, delivering authentic, flavourful mezze-style dishes with fresh ingredients in a vibrant, welcoming setting.
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 Waterford:
Waterford is steeped in Viking and medieval history, with Waterford City’s Reginald’s Tower and Viking Triangle showcasing ancient artefacts. The Copper Coast, a UNESCO Geopark, offers dramatic coastal walks, while the Lismore Castle gardens provide serene beauty. Other attractions include the beaches of Tramore and historic Dunmore East. Waterford is Ireland’s 21st largest county by size (1,838 square km) and 20th largest by population (127,363). Population peaked at 196,187 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 71,439 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Waterford is Ireland’s ninth most visited tourist county with around 225,000 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 – 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 –
