- Overall: Courthouse Restaurant, Carrickmacross: A welcoming, Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant on Monaghan Street in a former courthouse building. It offers top-quality regional Irish cooking with fresh fish, steaks, and crowd-pleasing dishes in a relaxed, lively atmosphere with excellent value.
- Café: Screaming Bean Café Monaghan: A bright, popular independent coffee shop on The Diamond serving specialty Java Republic coffee, breakfast, lunch, smoothies, crêpes, and fresh bakes in a friendly, community-focused setting.
- Casual Dining: AmbleDown Cottage Glaslough: A quirky, family-run BYOB pizza restaurant in the pretty village of Glaslough, renowned for its gourmet wood-fired pizzas and relaxed, welcoming vibe in a charming cottage setting.
- Chef: Karl Breen, Wild Thyme, Threemilehouse: Chef-patron of the contemporary fine-dining restaurant Wild Thyme (opened 2022 with his wife Sinéad). He is celebrated for his passion, skilful use of the best local Irish ingredients, and compelling modern cooking.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate Glaslough: The elegant 2 AA Rosette fine-dining restaurant in the Lodge at the historic Castle Leslie Estate. It serves refined seasonal menus with local produce in a light, spacious, and relaxed setting overlooking the lake and gardens.
- Customer Service: Jimmy’s Bar & Restaurant Monaghan: A long-established venue known for its consistently warm, attentive, and friendly service alongside quality food in a genuine local atmosphere.
- Employee Excellence Award: Dean Coyne, Hillgrove Hotel, Leisure & Spa Monaghan: Dedicated and outstanding team member at the popular Hillgrove Hotel, recognised for his exceptional contribution and service.
- Gastro Pub: Andy’s Bar & Restaurant Monaghan: A family-run institution on Market Street (est. 1983), offering quality modern pub food and drink in a warm, traditional setting – one of Monaghan town’s longest-established and most popular spots.
- Hotel and Guesthouse restaurant: Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough: The award-winning fine-dining restaurant at the luxurious historic estate, delivering high-end contemporary Irish cuisine with excellent local sourcing in an elegant yet relaxed lakeside setting.
- Innovator of the Year: Screaming Bean Café Monaghan: The vibrant coffee shop praised for its creative approach, quality offerings, and fresh energy it has brought to Monaghan’s café scene.
- Local Food Hero: Gareth Moore, Fatboy Sauces Monaghan: Talented chef and founder of Fatboy Sauces, based in Monaghan, creating artisan sauces and condiments while actively supporting the local food community and events.
- Newcomer: An Nead Monaghan: A welcoming Irish-language café (meaning “The Nest”) on Park Street that quickly became a local favourite. It offers great coffee, conversation, and culture in a stylish, inclusive space open to all levels of Irish speakers.
- Restaurant Manager: Charlotte Carr, Courthouse Restaurant, Carrickmacross: Highly regarded manager at the popular Michelin Bib Gourmand venue, recognised for her strong leadership and contribution to its smooth operation and success.
- Pub of the Year: Terry’s Bar Monaghan: A classic, traditional Monaghan pub loved for its genuine local character, friendly atmosphere, and authentic pub experience.
- Sustainable Practices: Wild Thyme Threemilehouse: The contemporary restaurant commended for its strong commitment to local sourcing, seasonal ingredients, and environmentally conscious practices.
- Use of Social Media: The Squealing Pig Bar & Restaurant Monaghan: A lively bar and restaurant recognised for its engaging and effective social media presence that showcases its food, events, and welcoming vibe.
- Wine Experience: DV Lounge at Westenra Arms Hotel Monaghan: The stylish lounge bar at the historic Westenra Arms Hotel, offering a relaxed setting for wine, drinks, and dining with a good selection and warm hospitality.
- World Cuisine: Eastern Balti Monaghan: A popular Indian restaurant in Monaghan town, known for its authentic curries, balti dishes, and vibrant flavours with warm, reliable service.
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
