- Overall: Alumni Kitchen, Feighcullen, A modern fine-dining venue in rural Feighcullen near Rathangan, acclaimed for its creative, ingredient-driven contemporary Irish cuisine using local seasonal produce.
- Chef: Adam Nevin of The Morrison Room at Carton House, Maynooth, A highly skilled chef recognised for his refined, elegant cooking in the luxurious setting of historic Carton House.
- Restaurant Manager: William Wong of Saba, locations in Naas and Newbridge, An outstanding manager honoured for exceptional leadership and service in these popular Thai-inspired restaurants.
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Morrison Room at Carton House, Maynooth, An elegant fine-dining restaurant within the prestigious 5-star Carton House estate, known for sophisticated modern cuisine and historic surroundings.
- Casual Dining: Lock 13 Gastropub & Brewpub, Sallins, A vibrant gastropub and brewpub offering high-quality casual fare, craft beers, and a lively atmosphere by the canal.
- Café: Sweet Maria, location in County Kildare, A charming café celebrated for its excellent coffee, fresh bakes, and welcoming community vibe.
- Gastro Pub: Town Leixlip, Leixlip, A modern gastro pub in Leixlip known for its innovative pub food and great drinks selection.
- Pub: McDonnells Bar and Beer Garden, location in County Kildare, A traditional pub awarded for its excellent atmosphere, beer garden, and quality pub offerings.
- Newcomer: Mani in Pasta, Newbridge, A fresh addition specialising in authentic Italian pasta and dishes in Newbridge town.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Dubh, location in County Kildare, A venue focusing on modern interpretations of Irish classics with seasonal ingredients.
- Customer Service: Lawlor’s of Naas, Naas, A well-regarded spot praised for its outstanding friendly and attentive hospitality.
- World Cuisine: Picaderos, location in County Kildare, An eatery offering bold international flavours, likely with a Spanish or tapas influence.
- Wine Experience: Ely Wine Store, location in County Kildare, Recognised for its impressive wine selection and knowledgeable pairings.
- Sustainable Practices: The K Club, Straffan, The luxury resort awarded for its commitment to environmental responsibility in dining and operations.
- Innovator of the Year: The Dew Drop Inn & Brewhouse, Kill, A creative brewpub and inn noted for innovative approaches to food, drink, and hospitality.
- Local Food Hero: Ryan Lally, Grá Pizza, location in County Kildare, A passionate individual celebrated for championing local ingredients through artisan pizza.
- Employee Excellence Award: Caitriona McGrath of The Ballymore Inn, Ballymore Eustace, A dedicated team member recognised for exceptional performance and contribution.
- Use of Social Media: Neighbourhood Naas, Naas, An award-winning fine-dining restaurant in Naas praised for its engaging online presence and community building.
Michelin Star
- The Morrison Room at Carton House, Maynooth, A luxurious fine-dining restaurant in the historic Carton House estate, offering precise, creative modern cuisine with excellent Irish produce.
Recommended:
- Alumni Kitchen Table (or Alumni Kitchen), Rathangan/Feighcullen, A refined modern venue focusing on well-crafted Irish ingredients in an intimate setting.
- Brown Bear, Kildare town, A modern cuisine spot delivering flavourful, contemporary dishes.
Georgina Campbell Awards
- Hotel Restaurant of the Year: The Barton Rooms at Barberstown Castle, Straffan, A charming castle restaurant offering high-quality dining in a historic setting with excellent hospitality.
Good Food Ireland Awards
- Drinks Producer of the Year: The Dew Drop Brewhouse, Kill, A craft brewery and inn recognised for premium, innovative drinks production using local ethos.
- Hotel Restaurant of the Year: The Barton Rooms, Barberstown Castle, Straffan, Honoured for exceptional hotel dining experiences with a focus on quality Irish ingredients.
- County Kildare’s awards reflect a strong mix of luxury estate dining (like Carton House and The K Club), innovative rural spots (Alumni Kitchen), and quality casual venues, with notable Michelin upgrades highlighting the county’s rising culinary profile.
Restaurants Association of Ireland winners full list
- Overall: Alumni Kitchen, Feighcullen.
- Café: Sweet Maria
- Casual Dining: Lock 13 Gastropub & Brewpub
- Chef: Adam Nevin, The Morrison Room at Carton House
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Dubh, Newbridge
- Customer Service: Lawlor’s of Naas
- Employee Excellence Award: Caitriona McGrath, The Ballymore Inn
- Gastro Pub: Town Leixlip
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Morrison Room at Carton House
- Innovator: The Dew Drop Inn & Brewhouse
- Local Food Hero: Ryan Lally of Grá Pizza
- Newcomer: Mani in Pasta Newbridge
- Pub: McDonnells Bar and Beer Garden
- Restaurant Manager: William Wong, Saba
- Sustainable Practices: The K Club
- Use of Social Media: Neighbourhood Naas
- Wine Experience: Ely Wine Store
- World Cuisine: Picaderos
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
Kildare:
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 – Name – New – 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 –
Kildare blends historic sites with lush countryside, with the National Stud and Japanese Gardens offering a unique mix of equine heritage and serene landscapes. Castletown House, a grand Palladian mansion, provides historical insights, while the Curragh’s open plains are ideal for walking. The ancient Hill of Allen adds archaeological depth, making Kildare an engaging stop for culture and nature. The new Shackleton Experience has opened in Athy. Kildare is Ireland’s eighth smallest county by size (1,694 square km) and seventh largest by population (247,774). Population reached its lowest point, 57,892 in 1936. In terms of hospitality, Kildare is Ireland’s 15th most visited tourist county with around 168,000 international visitors per year.
