HERE are the 2026 Restaurant Association Awards winners for county WICKLOW

Overall (Best Restaurant): Caladh, Greystones: This popular neighbourhood restaurant on Church Road in Greystones, run by Brian Walsh and team, delivers modern Irish cuisine with a focus on seasonal, local ingredients and creative, flavourful dishes. It offers a welcoming, stylish setting with excellent value and service, earning the coveted Best Restaurant in Wicklow (and strong Leinster recognition) for its passion, consistency, and community appeal.
Café: Scéal Bakery, Greystones: This acclaimed artisan bakery and café in Greystones specialises in handmade sourdoughs, pastries, cakes, and premium coffee with a focus on quality ingredients and baking excellence. Run by Charlotte Leonard Kane and Shane Palmer, it provides a warm, community-focused spot for daytime treats and has built a strong reputation for its fresh, artisanal offerings and multiple awards.
Casual Dining: Roundwood Stores: This charming village store and café in scenic Roundwood offers relaxed casual dining with homemade sandwiches, soups, cakes, coffee, and light meals using local produce. It combines a welcoming, family-run vibe with quality food in a picturesque Wicklow setting, ideal for everyday meals, takeaways, or a peaceful stop amid the mountains.
Chef: Cormac McCreary, Sika Restaurant at Powerscourt Hotel: Executive chef Cormac McCreary leads the kitchen at the elegant Sika Restaurant within the luxurious Powerscourt Hotel in Enniskerry. He creates refined contemporary Irish fine dining with seasonal Wicklow and Irish ingredients, offering tasting menus and √† la carte options against stunning Sugarloaf views, praised for his calm, assured style and technical skill.
Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Albatross Restaurant at Rathsallagh Golf Club: This welcoming bar and restaurant at Rathsallagh Golf & Country Club near Dunlavin serves modern takes on Irish classics with a focus on fresh, local produce in a relaxed, golf-club setting. Open for breakfast through lunch (and select days), it delivers hearty, quality meals with scenic views, blending casual appeal with elevated flavours for golfers and visitors alike.
Customer Service: Grangecon Kitchen: This popular café and eatery in Grangecon excels in warm, attentive hospitality and outstanding customer service. The dedicated team provides friendly, professional care alongside its fresh, homemade food offerings in a cosy, community-oriented environment, ensuring every guest feels valued and welcomed.
Employee Excellence Award: Connor Kinsella, Lo Co Grocer, Arklow: Connor Kinsella is recognised for his exceptional dedication, teamwork, and outstanding performance in delivering top-tier service and guest experiences at Lo Co Grocer in Arklow, exemplifying excellence and commitment in the hospitality and local food sector.
Gastro Pub: The Horse and Hound, Delgany: This multi-award-winning gastropub in Delgany combines traditional Irish pub charm with elevated dining, offering hearty, fresh dishes from quality local ingredients alongside a strong drinks selection. It is celebrated for its welcoming atmosphere, great hospitality, and vibrant community appeal in a scenic Wicklow village setting.
Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Fairways Restaurant at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort, Blessington: This award-winning restaurant at the scenic Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort overlooking Poulaphouca Reservoir offers high-quality, seasonal dining with a focus on fresh Irish ingredients and modern flair. Led by executive head chef Dan Ottaway and chef Daniel Walsh, it provides elegant yet approachable meals in a luxurious hotel setting, praised for its team pride, guest care, and consistent excellence in hospitality.
Innovator of the Year: Catalyst Coffee Beach, Bray: This creative coffee spot (part of the Catalyst Coffee group with locations including Bray Seafront) stands out for innovative premium coffee, a√ßai bowls, vegan treats, and fresh approaches to daytime offerings. It pushes boundaries in quality beverages and sustainable, health-focused eats, earning recognition for its forward-thinking concept and strong presence across Bray.
Local Food Hero: Wayne Kelly & Louise Hollingsworth, Kelly’s Fruit and Veg, Wicklow town: Wayne Kelly and Louise Hollingsworth run this beloved fruit and veg shop in Wicklow town, championing fresh, locally sourced produce at reasonable prices while supporting Wicklow farmers and suppliers. They are celebrated for their passion, community focus, quality seasonal selections, and dedication to provenance in local food.
Newcomer: Cr√≠och Cafe at The Mermaid, Bray: This welcoming new café at The Mermaid arts centre in Bray quickly gained acclaim for its fresh, quality-focused daytime menu, coffee, and relaxed vibe. It earned newcomer status through strong community support, excellent value, and a creative approach to casual dining in its debut year.
Pub of the Year: T√° Sé’s, Wicklow town: This beloved traditional pub in Wicklow town (often praised for great value pints, like ‚Ç¨4.90 Guinness) delivers an authentic Irish pub experience with warm hospitality, excellent drinks, cosy atmosphere, and strong local appeal. It combines classic charm with welcoming service, making it a standout community favourite.
Restaurant Manager: Aliha Saleem, Daata Bray: Aliha Saleem is honoured for her exceptional leadership and management at Daata Bray, a family-run Pakistani restaurant on the seafront. She delivers outstanding front-of-house service, warm hospitality, and operational excellence, contributing significantly to the venue’s success and guest experiences.
Sustainable Practices: Wicklow Wolf Brewery & Taproom, Newtown Mount Kennedy: This craft brewery and taproom in Newtown Mount Kennedy leads in sustainability, with eco-conscious brewing, waste reduction, ethical sourcing, and green operations at its core (including B Corp principles). It sets a benchmark for environmental responsibility in beer production and hospitality.
Use of Social Media: Little Acorn Café, Baltinglass: This popular café in Baltinglass, run by chef Maggie Roche, excels with highly engaging social media that showcases its fresh, local-produce-focused menu, beautiful dishes, events, and welcoming vibe. It effectively builds community connections and highlights daily offerings through creative, consistent content.
Wine Experience: Delgany Wine Cottage: This high-end wine shop (transformed from a quaint cottage in Killincarrig, Delgany) offers an exceptional curated selection of quality wines, expert knowledge, and thoughtful recommendations. It provides a standout wine-focused experience with passion and expertise, earning praise as Wicklow’s best for wine lovers.
World Cuisine: Chakra by Jaipur, Greystones: This acclaimed Indian restaurant in Greystones specialises in authentic, flavourful dishes with high-quality ingredients, creative twists, and consistent excellence. It has long been recognised for elevating world (primarily Indian) cuisine in the area, delivering warm hospitality and standout meals.