The winners were announced at a gala event in the Armagh City Hotel:
- Overall: MacNean House & Restaurant, Blacklion: The iconic restaurant and boutique guesthouse run by celebrity chef Neven Maguire, renowned for its exceptional modern Irish fine dining, seasonal tasting menus, warm hospitality, and consistent national recognition as one of Ulster’s top restaurants.
- Café: Hard Boiled Egg Café Cavan: A lively, family-friendly American-style café famous for its hearty breakfasts (including the Guinness World Record largest full Irish breakfast), global-inspired dishes, fresh bakes, and warm Irish hospitality on the Dublin Road.
- Casual Dining: Chapter One Food & Living: A popular café, bakery, and lifestyle store in Cavan Retail Park offering freshly prepared meals, delicious cakes and pastries baked on-site, takeaway options, and a wide selection of gifts and homeware in a bright, welcoming space.
- Chef: Peter Styskal, People’s Restaurant: Talented head chef at People’s Restaurant in Cavan, praised for his passion, consistency, and skill in delivering flavour-packed contemporary Irish dishes and comfort-food specials.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Olde Post Inn Cloverhill: A charming 200-year-old former post office with cosy open fires, intimate dining, and excellent modern Irish cooking that highlights local produce, game, and classic sauces (regularly featured in the Michelin Guide).
- Customer Service: Atrium Bar at Crystal Hotel Cavan: The bustling, stylish bar and lounge at Cavan Crystal Hotel, highly regarded for its friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere, and reliable service whether for casual meals, drinks, or live music nights.
- Employee Excellence Award: Jean Wilson, Virginia Park Lodge Virginia: Long-serving and dedicated team member at the luxurious Virginia Park Lodge, recognised for her outstanding commitment and contribution over many years.
- Gastro Pub: Murph’s Gastro Pub at The Derragarra Inn Butlersbridge: Award-winning family-run gastro pub in the historic Derragarra Inn, offering quality modern Irish pub food in a warm, rustic village setting just outside Cavan town.
- Hotel and Guesthouse: Cabra Castle, Kingscourt: A magnificent 19th-century luxury 4-star castle hotel set on beautiful grounds, known for its elegant rooms, romantic atmosphere, fine dining, and popular weddings.
- Innovator: Blossoms by Marissa Ballyjamesduff: A delightful tearoom and garden centre offering homemade cakes, breakfast, brunch, lunch, and afternoon tea in a cosy, sparkling atmosphere with a personal touch.
- Local Food Hero: Kieron and Claire Moran, Moran’s Mega Jam Cavan: The husband-and-wife team behind Moran’s Mega Jam, producing award-winning artisan jams, chutneys, and relishes using fresh local seasonal ingredients, now widely available across Ireland.
- Newcomer: Café Nua Lurganboy Cavan: A welcoming French-style patisserie and café (with locations in Cavan town and Belturbet) specialising in excellent coffee, fresh bakes, breakfast, and lunch in a bright, community-focused setting.
- Restaurant manager: Christopher McPartlin, MacNean House & Restaurant, Blacklion: The highly capable restaurant manager at Neven Maguire’s flagship venue, recognised for his professionalism and smooth operation of this busy award-winning restaurant.
- Pub: Abbey Bar Cavan: A classic, long-established traditional Irish pub in Cavan town, loved for its authentic character, great pints, friendly locals, live music, and genuine craic.
- Sustainable Practices: Oak Room Restaurant Cavan: A popular town-centre restaurant focused on modern Irish cuisine using fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced produce, with a strong emphasis on quality and value.
- Use of Social Media: Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort Cavan: The large luxury estate and resort praised for its engaging social media presence that effectively showcases its spa, golf, dining, and beautiful 1,300-acre grounds.
- Wine Experience: Wine Goose Cellar Bar at Farnham Estate Cavan: A unique and atmospheric wine bar set in historic underground tunnels beneath Farnham House, perfect for wine tastings, relaxed drinks, and small plates in a one-of-a-kind setting.
- World Cuisine: Chilli Lounge Cavan: Cavan’s award-winning fine-dining Indian restaurant on Main Street, celebrated for its authentic flavours, fresh spices, fusion of Indian and Irish ingredients, and warm family-run hospitality.
Restaurant award winners
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
