AWARD winning restaurants in Ireland’s county LEITRIM

• Overall: The Cottage Restaurant, Jamestown: The Cottage Restaurant in Jamestown is a multiple award-winning establishment nestled in a scenic spot by the River Shannon, where award-winning chef Sham Hanifa leads a team creating a fusion of contemporary Irish cuisine with Asian influences, utilising the finest local ingredients and supporting local producers.
• Cafe: Jackalope Café at The Shed Distillery, Drumshanbo: Jackalope Café at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo offers delicious lunches and home-baked treats in the setting of the distillery founded in 2014 by PJ Rigney and his wife Denise, known for producing premium Irish spirits such as Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.
• Casual Dining: The Selkie, Tullaghan: The Selkie in Tullaghan, located on the Leitrim coast along the Wild Atlantic Way, provides an eclectic mix of modern and traditional dishes, catering thoughtfully to various dietary needs including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, seafood and meat options, with a focus on good food and good vibes under owner-operators including head chef Darren Fergus.
• Chef: Mario Raise, The Courthouse, Kinlough: Mario Raise, the chef at The Courthouse in Kinlough, has been recognised for his excellence as head chef since taking over the role in summer 2025, bringing passion and skill to the kitchen with a continuity of high standards in this popular local restaurant.
• Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon: The Red Bank Restaurant in Carrick-on-Shannon, which opened in March 2020 under the ownership of Jason Horkan as a family-run business, specialises in beautifully presented modern Irish cuisine with eclectic twists in a stylish and atmospheric setting near the river.
• Customer Service: Buffalo Boy, Carrick-on-Shannon: Buffalo Boy in Carrick-on-Shannon is a vibrant steakhouse and gastro bar co-owned by Sham Hanifa of The Cottage Restaurant, Brian Whelan and Sean Purcell, where exceptional customer service complements the experience of steaks grilled over an open fire using wood, coal and flame, alongside a diverse menu.
• Employee Excellence: Catherine Rooney, The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon: Catherine Rooney at The Red Bank Restaurant in Carrick-on-Shannon has been awarded for employee excellence, contributing as a dedicated food and beverage assistant to the warm hospitality and smooth operation of this family-run establishment known for its modern Irish offerings.
• Gastro Pub: The Oarsman, Carrick-on-Shannon: The Oarsman in Carrick-on-Shannon, a historic gastro pub dating back to 1781 and run by brothers Conor and Ronan Maher, combines old-world charm with carefully crafted seasonal menus inspired by local produce, delivering high standards of food and service in a welcoming family-run environment.
• Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant: Sandstone Restaurant at Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill: Sandstone Restaurant at Lough Rynn Castle in Mohill offers an elegant fine-dining experience within the historic castle hotel, which opened in 2006 under the Hanly family, featuring award-winning cuisine in a luxurious setting surrounded by extensive estate grounds and gardens.
• Innovator: The Boat House Café at Cryans Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon: Newly opened in the summer of 2021 under the proprietorship of Frances Cryan, an Olympian rower who represented Ireland at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the Boathouse Café has pioneered a fresh approach to casual dining in Leitrim by combining riverside views with a menu of healthy breakfasts, brunches, lunches and indulgent treats alongside quality FiXX coffee, quickly earning recognition for its innovative blend of local produce and relaxed hospitality in the historic Cryans Hotel setting.
• Local Food Hero: Liam and Justina Gavin, Honestly Farm Kitchen, Carrick-on-Shannon: Owned and run by Liam and Justina Gavin of Drumanilra Organic Farm since the couple moved their young family back from the UK in 2012, Honestly Farm Kitchen in Carrick-on-Shannon champions farm-to-fork principles by supplying its own organic Dexter beef, vegetables and bakery items direct from the 300-acre Roscommon holding, reconnecting customers with provenance-driven, wholesome food through a welcoming restaurant and farm shop that prioritises ethical, sustainable sourcing.
• Newcomer: White Wombat Coffee, Carrick-on-Shannon: Opened recently by Michael and Claire as a bright newcomer to the Carrick-on-Shannon scene, White Wombat Coffee brings a slice of Australian coffee culture to Leitrim with its expertly pulled espressos, matcha and seasonal specials served in a vibrant, community-focused space that has rapidly built a loyal following through its energetic daily operations and welcoming vibe alongside an adjacent barber shop.
• Pub: MJ O’Connor Pub, Leitrim Village: Tucked beside the canal in Leitrim Village and named after the legendary MJ O’Connor, who emigrated to America in 1892 before returning in 1912 to purchase the entire village including Drumheirney House, the family-run MJ O’Connor Pub was refurbished and re-established under new ownership with its company incorporated in January 2024, offering live music, wood-fired pizzas, cold pints and warm hospitality seven days a week as a true local legend.
• Restaurant Manager: Lorraine McHugh, The Selkie, Tullaghan: Restaurant Manager Lorraine McHugh at The Selkie in Tullaghan has been recognised for her outstanding leadership and dedication, playing a pivotal role in the restaurant’s consistent success at the Irish Restaurant Awards, including previous wins for best customer service, through her management of a team delivering exceptional casual dining in a welcoming coastal venue known for its quality food and attentive service.
• Sustainable Practices: Honestly Farm Kitchen, Carrick-on-Shannon: Owned and operated by Liam and Justina Gavin of Drumanilra Organic Farm since its opening in December 2021, Honestly Farm Kitchen in Carrick-on-Shannon stands out for its sustainable practices by operating Ireland’s first organic drive-through, sourcing pesticide-free produce exclusively from their own holding and like-minded local farmers, minimising food miles and promoting ethical farming that supports biodiversity and community resilience.
• Use Of Social Media: White Wombat Coffee, Carrick-on-Shannon: White Wombat Coffee in Carrick-on-Shannon has excelled in its use of social media by crafting engaging, authentic content that captures the daily energy of its Australian-inspired café, from frosty-morning espresso shots to community events, with skilled input from local creators helping the newcomer build a strong online presence and loyal local following since opening.
• Wine Experience: Di Vino Italian Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon: Di Vino Italian Restaurant in Carrick-on-Shannon delivers a standout wine experience with its carefully chosen Italian and Spanish selection of reds, whites and sparkling wines, expertly paired by sommeliers with scratch-made dishes using the finest local produce in a relaxed Bridge Street setting that includes guided tastings, antipasti matches and classes, creating memorable evenings of authentic hospitality.
• World Cuisine: Shudh Indian Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon: Serving authentic Indian cuisine in the heart of Carrick-on-Shannon for the last 15 years from its welcoming location in the Courtyard on Main Street, Shudh Indian Restaurant under recent ownership continues to celebrate world cuisine with fragrant biryanis, tandoori specialities and traditional balti dishes prepared with fresh herbs and spices, offering a warm, inviting atmosphere for dine-in, takeaway and delivery that highlights India’s rich culinary traditions.

Georgina Campbell Awards

• Atmospheric Destination: The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon, A standout venue celebrated for its evocative, welcoming atmosphere and atmospheric dining experience in a historic town setting.

Good Food Ireland Awards

• Restaurant of the Year Finalist: The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon, A strong national finalist praised for exceptional culinary experiences and use of high-quality Irish ingredients (joint winners were from other counties).

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

Leitrim:

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Leitrim is a haven of waterways and unspoilt scenery, with the Shannon-Erne Waterway offering tranquil boating and fishing opportunities. Carrick-on-Shannon’s historic Costello Chapel and vibrant marina provide cultural and leisurely appeal, while Glencar Waterfall adds natural beauty.  Leitrim is Ireland’s seventh smallest county by size (1,525 square km) and smallest by population (35,199). Population peaked at 155,297 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 25,057 in 1996. In terms of hospitality, Leitrim is Ireland’s 29th most visited tourist county with around 39,000 international visitors per year.