The winners were announced at a gala event in the Armagh City Hotel:
- Overall: Sinton’s at The Bridge, Scarva: A popular, award-winning restaurant and café beside the historic Scarva Bridge, offering fresh, daily flavours with a strong focus on quality ingredients, relaxed dining, and excellent service from breakfast through dinner.
- Café: Sojourn Coffee Armagh: A welcoming specialty coffee shop in the heart of Armagh city, known for high-quality coffee, fresh bakes, a warm atmosphere, and friendly service (with a second location now in Belfast).
- Casual Dining: Viet By Vee Portadown: A vibrant Vietnamese street-food spot bringing fresh, authentic flavours with a modern twist to Portadown, specialising in pho, rice paper rolls, satay, and generous portions in a casual setting.
- Chef: Darragh Dooley, Killeavy Castle Estate, Newry: Executive Head Chef at the luxurious Killeavy Castle Estate, praised for his passion, seasonal cooking, and commitment to estate-grown produce and high-end dining.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Sally McNally’s Portadown: A charming family-run country pub and kitchen just outside Portadown, celebrated for hearty, locally sourced traditional Irish pub grub, generous portions, and a welcoming, character-filled setting.
- Customer Service: Mulberry Bistro Armagh: A licensed bistro opposite St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, known for its warm hospitality, excellent breakfast and lunch dishes using local ingredients, and consistently high standards of service.
- Employee Excellence Award: Fabio Chessa, Zio Portadown: Dedicated team member (originally from Italy) at the popular Mediterranean restaurant Zio in Portadown, recognised for outstanding individual contribution and service.
- Gastro Pub: Digby’s Bar & Restaurant Killylea: A cosy, family-run gastro pub in Killylea offering home-cooked modern Irish and British dishes with gastropub flair, in a relaxed village setting.
- Hotel and Guesthouse: Killeavy Castle, Newry: A stunning 4-star luxury castle hotel and spa estate near Newry, set in beautiful grounds with elegant accommodation, fine dining, and a peaceful Slieve Gullion location.
- Innovator: The Corner House Derrymacash: A restored traditional bar and restaurant in Derrymacash (near Lurgan) blending historic charm with quality local food, live music, and a welcoming community-focused approach.
- Local Food Hero: The Dougan Family, Ballymoran Meats Keady: A multi-generational Armagh farming family producing high-quality Aberdeen Angus beef and lamb from their own farm, supplying local butchers and restaurants with traceable, premium meat.
- Newcomer: Jireh – Filipino Asian Cuisine And Café Lurgan: A vibrant new spot in Lurgan offering authentic homestyle Filipino dishes with Asian influences, generous portions, warm hospitality, and a welcoming café atmosphere.
- Restaurant manager: Claire Macklin, Digby’s Bar & Restaurant, Killylea: The fourth-generation manager of the family-run Digby’s, recognised for her strong leadership, operations, and contribution to the venue’s success.
- Pub: The Hole In The Wall Armagh: A historic, atmospheric traditional pub in the centre of Armagh city, loved for its cosy charm, open fire, local character, and genuine pub experience.
- Sustainable Practices: Killeavy Castle Estate Newry: The castle hotel and estate commended for its forward-thinking sustainability efforts, including on-site growing, ethical sourcing, and long-term environmental commitment.
- Use of Social Media: Sojourn Coffee Armagh: The specialty coffee shop praised for its engaging and effective use of social media to showcase its coffee, bakes, and community spirit.
- Wine Experience: Charlemont Arms Hotel Armagh: A welcoming city-centre hotel with a popular wine bar and dining offering, known for its fine wine selection, relaxed “wine & dine” atmosphere, and varied menu.
- World Cuisine: Spice Lounge Armagh: A fine Indian dining restaurant in Armagh specialising in authentic curries, seafood grills, and vibrant flavours, with a warm lounge setting for dine-in or takeaway.
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
