The winners were announced at a gala event in the Armagh City Hotel:
- Overall: The Muddlers Club Restaurant, Belfast: A Michelin-starred modern restaurant in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, known for its relaxed industrial vibe, bold flavours from top local ingredients, and high-energy atmosphere in a historic backstreet setting.
- Café: General Merchants Belfast: A popular neighbourhood café chain serving Antipodean-style brunches, fine coffee, and honest food with vegetarian/vegan options across multiple Belfast locations.
- Casual Dining: Square Bistro Lisburn: A highly rated family-run bistro in Lisburn town centre, focusing on relaxed European/British dining with fresh local produce, lunch and dinner service, and strong community appeal.
- Chef: Stevie Toman, Ox Restaurant, Belfast: Acclaimed chef at the Michelin-starred Ox, celebrated for his passionate, ingredient-driven modern cooking and long-standing contribution to Belfast’s fine dining scene.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Beau Restaurant Belfast: A welcoming modern spot by chef Lottie Noren, offering bold, seasonal, honest cooking in a bright, relaxed setting in the Cathedral Quarter (also holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand).
- Customer Service: Shu Restaurant Belfast: A long-established modern European restaurant on Lisburn Road, praised for its attentive service, seasonal classics, plush atmosphere, and downstairs cocktail bar.
- Employee Excellence Award: Aiden Adams, The Deer’s Head Belfast: Recognised staff member at this historic city-centre brewpub and saloon bar with an on-site craft brewery.
- Gastro Pub: The Deer’s Head Belfast: A restored Victorian-era pub (est. 1885) featuring its own Bell’s Brewery on display, quality pub food, and a traditional yet vibrant saloon atmosphere.
- Hotel and Guesthouse: Bushmills Townhouse, Bushmills: A boutique luxury guesthouse in the heart of Bushmills village on the Causeway Coast, offering stylish suites and excellent dining near the Giant’s Causeway.
- Innovator: Waterman House Belfast: A cookery school, bistro, and events space by chef Niall McKenna, known for its no-frills seasonal European cooking, hands-on classes, and fresh approach in the Cathedral Quarter.
- Local Food Hero: Jordan Weir, The Dairy – Bistro, Butchers & Farm Shop Glenoe: Head chef at this family-run rural spot combining a bistro, butchers, and farm shop with creative menus highlighting local meats and produce.
- Newcomer: Luna Belfast: A neighbourhood bistro in Ballyhackamore (East Belfast), focusing on seasonal local ingredients, innovative twists on classics, brunch-to-dinner service, and a cosy cocktail lounge.
- Restaurant manager: Paul Vaughan, James St, Belfast: Long-serving operations/general manager at the acclaimed James Street South restaurant, bringing decades of experience and strong leadership to one of Belfast’s established fine-dining venues.
- Pub: The Garrick Belfast: One of Belfast’s oldest traditional pubs (est. 1870), with Victorian character, local pub food, live trad music sessions, and a lively city-centre atmosphere.
- Sustainable Practices: Ursa Minor Ballycastle: A popular bakehouse and café on the North Coast specialising in sourdough, seasonal pastries, and locally sourced ingredients in a community-focused setting.
- Use of Social Media: Nova Belfast: A modern Italian eatery offering all-day dining from breakfast through pasta, small plates, and cocktails in a bright, buzzing city-centre spot.
- Wine Experience: The Crafty Vintner Tasting Room Belfast: A welcoming wine bar and café with Enomatic wine machines, a huge bottle selection, small plates/pizza, cocktails, and a heated terrace.
- World Cuisine: Amaravathi Belfast: An authentic South Indian restaurant and takeaway known for fresh thalis, biryanis, dosas, and vibrant flavours from southern India.
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
