AWARD winning restaurants in Ireland’s county ROSCOMMON

• Overall: The Old Stone House, Castlerea: The Old Stone House in Ballinlough near Castlerea has been recognised as Overall winner for Roscommon at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026, having been taken over in late 2019 by husband-and-wife team and head chefs Ray and Mags O’Connor, who have established a strong reputation for skilful cooking of quality Irish ingredients in a warm, comfortable setting that draws diners from across the country to this appealing venue on Church Road.
• Cafe: Rogue & Co Café, Roscommon: Cafe: Rogue & Co Café, Roscommon: Owned by brothers Rikki and James O’Gara, who come from a family background in hospitality, Rogue & Co Café on Main Street in Roscommon opened a few years ago and has quickly become a popular daytime spot with its friendly hipster vibe, super casual eats, modern stylish interior featuring painted furniture and comfortable armchairs, and a unique non-generic atmosphere that has boosted the town centre.
• Casual Dining: The Purple Onion Kitchen, Tarmonbarry: Casual Dining: The Purple Onion Kitchen, Tarmonbarry: The Purple Onion Kitchen in the small village of Tarmonbarry on the Roscommon-Longford border is run by Paul Dempsey and Pauline Roe as a unique mix of art gallery, restaurant, bar and pantry with an olde-worlde charm of dark wood, bric-à-brac and prints, offering warm hospitality and good food in a relaxed roadside setting that feels like an oasis for locals and passers-by.
• Chef: Sinead Toolan, My Kitchen By Sham Hanifa, Carrick-on-Shannon: Chef: Sinead Toolan, My Kitchen By Sham Hanifa, Carrick-on-Shannon: Sinead Toolan has been named Best Chef for Roscommon at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026 for her work at My Kitchen By Sham Hanifa in Carrick-on-Shannon, a vibrant artisan café and eatery created in collaboration with Malaysian-born chef Sham Hanifa, where she contributes to a welcoming menu of breakfast, lunch, coffee and cakes served in a bright, community-focused space open seven days a week.
• Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Regan’s Gastro Pub & Restaurant, Roscommon: Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Regan’s Gastro Pub & Restaurant, Roscommon: Regan’s Gastro Pub & Restaurant on Market Square in Roscommon Town has been in the Regan family since 1973 and continues as a family-run venue offering contemporary Irish cuisine in a friendly, homely and relaxed atmosphere with top-quality food and beverages, casual dining and genuinely caring table service throughout its spacious premises.
• Customer Service: Abbey Hotel Roscommon, Roscommon: Customer Service: Abbey Hotel Roscommon, Roscommon: The Abbey Hotel in Roscommon has earned recognition for outstanding customer service at the Irish Restaurant Awards, with its dedicated team delivering warm, attentive hospitality across the hotel’s restaurant and facilities, building on consistent nominations in service-related categories and contributing to the venue’s reputation as a welcoming destination in the heart of the county.
• Employee Excellence: Theresa Donlon, Hester’s Castlerea: Employee Excellence: Theresa Donlon, Hester’s Castlerea: Theresa Donlon at Hester’s in Castlerea has been celebrated for employee excellence through her long-standing dedication and contribution to the popular bar and restaurant, where her commitment helped create a warm, community-oriented atmosphere that has been part of local life in Castlerea for many years.
• Gastro Pub: Regan’s Gastro Pub & Restaurant, Roscommon: Gastro Pub: Regan’s Gastro Pub & Restaurant, Roscommon: Regan’s Gastro Pub & Restaurant on Market Square in Roscommon has been named Best Gastro Pub for the county, continuing a family tradition since 1973 with its welcoming pub and restaurant offering quality food and beverages in a relaxed, homely setting that combines traditional Irish hospitality with caring service and a menu suited to casual dining.
• Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant: Kilronan Castle, Keadew: Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant: Kilronan Castle, Keadew: Kilronan Castle in Keadew, a historic neo-Gothic property on the shores of Lough Meelagh, was restored and transformed into a luxury hotel by the Hanly family, with Alan and Albert Hanly leading the project from 2004 and completing major works by 2006, preserving its architectural heritage while providing elegant guesthouse restaurant dining that complements the castle’s long history dating back to the 17th and 19th centuries.
• Innovator: Zunu Bakehouse, Athlone: Zunu Bakehouse in Athlone has been recognised as Innovator of the Year in Roscommon at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026 through its creative and modern approach to artisan baking and café culture, bringing fresh ideas to the local scene with quality baked goods, welcoming service and a distinctive offering that stands out in the Midlands hospitality landscape.
• Local Food Hero: Benny O’Connell, Benny’s Deli, Castlerea: Local Food Hero: Benny O’Connell, Benny’s Deli, Castlerea: Owned and run by Benny O’Connell since he opened a tiny bakery on Castlerea’s Main Street in 1981, Benny’s Deli has celebrated 45 years in business in 2026 as a family-run bakery, restaurant and delicatessen producing wholesome, freshly made products daily including apple tarts and brown soda bread; Benny, who previously worked in various hospitality roles before fulfilling his dream of owning his own business, has also contributed significantly to community projects such as the Castlerea Enterprise Hub and An Chistin Food Hub for over two decades.
• Newcomer: Cox’s Bistro and Café, Strokestown: Newcomer: Cox’s Bistro and Café, Strokestown: Cox’s Bistro and Café on Church Street in Strokestown opened on 25 July 2025 under the ownership of Marian Kelly and John Gill, quickly earning praise as a vibrant newcomer with an “overwhelming” positive response from locals and visitors through its welcoming bistro and café offerings that have added fresh energy to the town’s dining options.
• Pub: Coffeys, Lecarrow: Pub: Coffeys, Lecarrow: Coffeys in Lecarrow was first established in 1918 by Patrick J. Coffey and his wife Margaret, with the business now in its fourth generation under the stewardship of Sarah Jane Coffey and her family; originally run by Patrick’s son John Joe and his wife Maureen from 1929, and later by John Coffey and his wife Auriel Keane from 1979, this iconic south Roscommon pub has been a landmark of traditional hospitality for over a century, offering a warm welcome, perfect pints and community spirit beside Lough Ree.
• Restaurant Manager: Navrish Audit, Keenan’s Hotel Bar & Restaurant, Tarmonbarry: Restaurant Manager: Navrish Audit, Keenan’s Hotel Bar & Restaurant, Tarmonbarry: Navrish Audit, affectionately known as Audit, has been recognised as Best Restaurant Manager for Roscommon at the Irish Restaurant Awards for his dedicated leadership and service at Keenan’s Hotel Bar & Restaurant in Tarmonbarry, where he has been an integral part of the team for over 12 years, contributing to the venue’s reputation for warm hospitality and smooth operations in this popular hotel and dining destination on the Shannon.
• Sustainable Practices: My Kitchen By Sham Hanifa, Carrick-on-Shannon: Sustainable Practices: My Kitchen By Sham Hanifa, Carrick-on-Shannon: Owned by Malaysian-born chef Sham Hanifa, who moved to Ireland over 18 years ago, My Kitchen By Sham Hanifa in Carrick-on-Shannon operates with a strong Environmental Code of Practice that emphasises water and energy efficiency, responsible procurement of sustainable and local food products, short supply chains, waste minimisation and recycling; this artisan café and eatery in the retail park focuses on fresh, homemade food with an Asian-Irish fusion twist while actively supporting the local economy and reducing its environmental impact.
• Use Of Social Media: Maki Sushi, Roscommon: Use Of Social Media: Maki Sushi, Roscommon: Maki Sushi in Roscommon has excelled in its use of social media at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026 by creating engaging, authentic content that showcases its fresh sushi offerings, daily specials and welcoming atmosphere, building a strong community connection and attracting diners through vibrant posts and interactions that highlight the venue’s quality Japanese cuisine in the heart of the town.
• Wine Experience: The Old Stone House Restaurant Roscommon, Ballinlough: Wine Experience: The Old Stone House Restaurant Roscommon, Ballinlough: The Old Stone House Restaurant in Ballinlough near Castlerea, taken over in late 2019 by husband-and-wife team and head chefs Ray and Mags O’Connor as proprietors, has earned recognition for its outstanding wine experience with a carefully selected list that complements the skilful cooking of quality Irish ingredients; the warm, comfortable venue draws diners from across Ireland with its excellent service, extensive drinks options and appealing atmosphere on Church Road.
• World Cuisine: Maki Sushi, Roscommon: World Cuisine: Maki Sushi, Roscommon: Maki Sushi in Roscommon has been named winner in the World Cuisine category for Roscommon at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026, delivering authentic Japanese flavours through expertly prepared sushi, maki rolls and other specialities in a welcoming setting that brings a taste of the East to the Midlands with fresh ingredients and genuine hospitality..

Good Food Ireland Awards 

• Restaurant of the Year Finalist: Douglas Hyde Restaurant, Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa, Ballyfarnon, Shortlisted nationally for consistent exceptional culinary experiences using high-quality Irish ingredients in a luxurious castle setting.

Georgina Campbell Awards

• Pet Friendly Destination of the Year: Gleesons Roscommon, Roscommon Town, A much-loved townhouse restaurant and accommodation in the heart of Roscommon town, run by Mary and Eamonn Gleeson with daughter Cáit as General Manager, celebrated for its warm welcome, wholesome food, comfortable rooms, and exceptional pet-friendly hospitality overlooking the town square.

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

Roscommon:

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 –

Roscommon combines historic sites with tranquil landscapes, with Roscommon Castle’s imposing ruins offering a glimpse into medieval Ireland. Lough Key Forest Park provides boating and treetop canopy walks, while the Arigna Mining Experience explores the county’s industrial past. Other attractions include the sacred site of Rathcroghan, linked to ancient mythology. Roscommon is Ireland’s 11th largest county by size (2,463 square km) and eighth smallest by population (70,259). Population peaked at 253,591 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 53,519 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Roscommon is Ireland’s 31st most visited and Ireland’s second least visited tourist county with around 25,000 international visitors per year.