- Best Restaurant: Lir, Coleraine, A standout neighbourhood restaurant in Coleraine acclaimed for its creative modern Irish cuisine, seasonal local produce, and exceptional execution in a welcoming setting.
- Best Chef: Stevie McCarry of Lir, Coleraine, A talented chef recognised for his innovative, precise cooking and dedication to high-quality Irish ingredients in this top-performing venue.
- Best Restaurant Manager: Ian Jarvis of Brown Bond Hills, location in County Derry, An exceptional manager honoured for outstanding leadership and contribution to service excellence in this acclaimed establishment.
- Café: The Pickled Duck, location in County Derry, A charming café celebrated for its excellent coffee, fresh bakes, and relaxed, community-focused atmosphere (also recognised with Employee Excellence Award for Julie Alcorn).
- Casual Dining: Walled City Brewery, Derry City, A vibrant spot specialising in approachable, high-quality casual meals paired with craft beers in a lively brewery setting (also noted for Irish Craft Drinks Award in Georgina Campbell Awards).
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Artis by Phelim O’Hagan, Derry City, A modern venue awarded for its creative interpretations of Irish classics using seasonal ingredients in a craft village location.
- Customer Service: Pyke ‘N’ Pommes, location in County Derry, Honoured for exceptional friendly and attentive hospitality in this popular spot (also Local Food Hero for Kevin Pyke).
- Employee Excellence Award: Julie Alcorn of The Pickled Duck, location in County Derry, A dedicated team member recognised for outstanding performance and contribution to hospitality.
- Gastro Pub: Blackbird, location in County Derry, A lively gastro pub celebrated for its innovative pub food, great atmosphere, and quality local offerings.
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Ardtara Country House, location in County Derry, An elegant country house restaurant known for refined dining, warm hospitality, and a focus on seasonal fare in a historic setting.
- Innovator: Notorious Street Food, location in County Derry, Awarded for creative approaches to street food dining and strong community engagement.
- Newcomer: Stitch and Weave, location in County Derry, A fresh addition recognised for its strong early impact and quality offerings in the county.
Michelin Guide Recommendations
- Artis by Phelim O’Hagan, Derry City, A celebration of local produce and trusted suppliers in a craft village setting with well-executed modern dishes.
- Browns Bonds Hill, Derry, A plush, art deco-style dining room on the east bank of the River Foyle offering refined modern British cuisine.
- Lemon Tree, Derry City, A long-established favourite known for its high-quality, flavourful dishes in a welcoming city-centre location.
- Irish Craft Drinks Award: Walled City Brewery, Derry City, Recognised nationally for its outstanding craft brewing and contribution to Irish drinks excellence.
Restaurants Association awards: full list
The 2025 Ulster provincial awards ceremony took place on Tuesday 1st April, Hillgrove Hotel, Old Armagh Road, County Monaghan
- Overall: Lir, Coleraine
- Café: The Pickled Duck
- Casual Dining: Walled City Brewery
- Chef: Stevie McCarry of Lir
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Artis
- Customer Service: Pyke ‘N’ Pommes
- Employee Excellence Award: Julie Alcorn of The Pickled Duck
- Gastro Pub: Blackbird
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Ardtara Country House
- Innovator: Notorious Street Food
- Local Food Hero: Kevin Pyke, Pyke ‘N’ Pommes
- Newcomer: Stitch and Weave
- Pub: O’Loughlin’s Irish House
- Restaurant Manager: Ian Jarvis of Brown Bond Hills
- Sustainable Practices: Lir
- Use of Social Media: Coupe
- Wine Experience: El Tapas Grá
- World Cuisine: Cedar Restaurant
Restaurant awards
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
2025 Restaurants Association of Ireland 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 Restaurants Association of Ireland 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
Derry:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – New – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards– Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
Derry offers a rich historical tapestry, with the city’s 17th-century walls providing a walkable journey through its past. The Guildhall and Tower Museum explore Derry’s maritime and political history, while the Peace Bridge offers scenic views over the River Foyle. Derry is Ireland’s 15th largest county by size (2,067 square km) and sixth largest by population (252,231). Population peaked at 222,174 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 139,693 in 1926.In terms of hospitality, Derry is Ireland’s 16th most visited tourist county with around 135,000 international visitors per year.
