The winners were announced at a gala event in the Armagh City Hotel:
- Overall: Artis Restaurant by Phelim O’Hagan: A Michelin-recommended modern restaurant in Derry’s historic Craft Village, opened by Great British Menu finalist chef Phelim O’Hagan. It celebrates local produce and trusted suppliers with refined, ingredient-driven cooking in an intimate setting.
- Café: Vittle Bakeshop Portstewart: A charming independent artisan bakery and café on the Portstewart Promenade, specialising in naturally leavened sourdough breads, beautiful pastries, ferments, and neighbourhood-focused baked goods.
- Casual Dining: Amici Ristorante Portstewart: A popular, family-friendly Italian restaurant right on the seafront beside the Old Golf Course, known for rustic homemade pizzas from a wood-fired oven, charcoal-grilled meats and fish, and authentic Italian flavours using the best North Coast ingredients.
- Chef: Stevie McCarry, Lir, Coleraine: Talented chef-patron and seafood expert at Lir Seafood Restaurant & Fishmonger in Coleraine Marina. A self-taught chef and Great British Menu finalist, he is celebrated for his seasonal, hyper-local seafood dishes and passion for the North Coast catch.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Fold Derry: A beautifully restored stone building in Ebrington Square offering a unique daytime bakehouse (sourdough, pastries, coffee) and intimate evening tasting menus/suppers from highly experienced chefs, blending refined modern Irish cooking with community vibes.
- Customer Service: Ardtara Country House Maghera: Elegant Victorian country house near Upperlands offering warm, genuine hospitality, luxurious rooms, and an award-winning fine-dining restaurant in a peaceful rural setting.
- Employee Excellence Award: Colin McLindan, Harry’s Shack Portstewart: Dedicated team member at the popular beachside seafood restaurant Harry’s Shack, recognised for outstanding individual service and contribution.
- Gastro Pub: Walled City Brewery Derry: Award-winning independent craft brewery and gastropub in Ebrington Square, housed in a historic building. It serves small-batch beers brewed on-site alongside creative, locally sourced modern pub food.
- Hotel and Guesthouse: Oak Room Restaurant at The Ebrington Hotel: The elegant 2 AA Rosette fine-dining restaurant within the modern 4-star Ebrington Hotel in Ebrington Square, offering high-end modern Irish cuisine with stunning River Foyle views.
- Innovator: Umi Derry: A vibrant Asian-fusion restaurant on Strand Road blending Japanese techniques with bold flavours – fresh sushi, small plates, teppanyaki, steaks, creative cocktails, and a fun, disco-ball atmosphere.
- Local Food Hero: Emily McCorkell, Lo & Slo Derry: American-born Derry resident and founder of Lo & Slo, known for her artisan barbecue sauces, rubs, live-fire cooking school, and championing slow food and local produce.
- Newcomer: The Fold Derry: The exciting new multi-concept venue in Ebrington Square (bakehouse by day, refined supper club/tasting menus by night) that quickly made its mark on Derry’s dining scene.
- Restaurant manager: Roisin O’Donnell, Browns in Town: Highly regarded manager at the popular city-centre restaurant Browns in Town on Strand Road, praised for her leadership and contribution to its consistent success and welcoming atmosphere.
- Pub: Portstewart Arms Portstewart: A long-established, friendly traditional pub in the heart of Portstewart, loved by locals and visitors for its welcoming vibe, great pints, and classic pub experience.
- Sustainable Practices: Lo & Slo Derry: Recognised for its commitment to ethical, slow-food principles, local sourcing, and sustainable barbecue practices through its sauces, rubs, and live-fire cooking school.
- Use of Social Media: Yum Cakes Derry: Multi-award-winning bakery and coffee shop with two Derry locations, celebrated for its engaging social media that showcases fresh daily bakes, cakes, brownies, and speciality coffees.
- Wine Experience: El Tapas Grá Derry: A welcoming Spanish-inspired tapas and wine bar in the city centre, offering vibrant small plates, a great wine list, cocktails, and a lively atmosphere perfect for sharing.
- World Cuisine: Mekong Derry: Highly rated Asian street-food restaurant inside the city walls, specialising in fresh, authentic Thai and Vietnamese flavours with local twists – from fragrant curries and noodles to vibrant small plates in a buzzy setting.
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
