- Best Restaurant: Everett’s Restaurant, Waterford, A standout fine-dining venue in Waterford city, acclaimed for its creative modern Irish cuisine using seasonal local produce and elegant presentation.
- Best Chef: Luis Martin of Mara, Waterford, A talented chef recognised for his innovative, precise modern cooking and bold use of fresh Irish ingredients in this quirky, bijou restaurant (formerly The Old Couch Café).
- Best Restaurant Manager: Alan O’Shea of 360 Cookhouse, Waterford, An exceptional manager honoured for outstanding leadership and contribution to service excellence in this vibrant eatery.
- Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Roseville Rooms at Faithlegg House Hotel, Faithlegg, An elegant restaurant within the historic Faithlegg House Hotel, known for refined dining, warm hospitality, and stunning riverside surroundings (also secured the Munster regional win in this category).
- Best Café: Seagull Bakery, Waterford, A charming bakery-café celebrated for its excellent coffee, fresh artisanal bakes, and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
- Best Gastro Pub: The Moorings, Waterford, A lively gastro pub awarded for its innovative pub food, great atmosphere, and quality local offerings.
Michelin Guide
- Waterford features several recommended establishments in the guide, with a focus on modern cuisine:
- Recommended: Mara, Waterford, A bijou modern cuisine restaurant by chef-owner Luis Martin, praised for its quirky vibe, creative seasonal dishes, and intimate setting.
- Recommended: Everett’s, Waterford, A modern venue offering high-quality, well-executed contemporary fare in a welcoming city-centre location.
- Recommended: Beach House, Ardmore, A coastal spot known for its fresh, flavourful dishes with sea views.
- Recommended: Aldridge Lodge, Dunmore East, A boutique venue delivering refined modern Irish cuisine in a scenic harbour setting.
- Recommended: Tannery, Dungarvan, A long-established favourite offering modern cuisine with strong local sourcing in a characterful town location.
Georgina Campbell Awards
- ‘Movers & Shakers’ Award: Eunice Power of &AndChips, Dungarvan, A dynamic figure recognised for transforming a traditional chipper into a stylish, high-quality fish and chip restaurant on Dungarvan’s quays, blending innovation with excellent hospitality.
- Best Supporter of Irish Food & Drink Producers (sponsored by Bord Bia): Grow HQ Café and Larder, Waterford, A community-focused café and larder founded by Michael Kelly, celebrated for promoting local growing, sustainable practices, and high-quality Irish produce.
- Irish Breakfast Awards, Hotel: Granville Hotel, Waterford, One of Ireland’s oldest hotels on the quayside, honoured for its exceptional breakfast offerings using quality local ingredients in an atmospheric historic setting.
Restaurants Association of Ireland full list
The 2025 Irish Restaurant Award winners for county Waterford
- Overall: Everett’s Restaurant, Waterford
- Café: Seagull Bakery
- Casual Dining: Momo Restaurant
- Chef: Luis Martin of Mara
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Eamo & Ró
- Customer Service: Slow and Steady Café
- Employee Excellence Award: Geraldine Ward of Everett’s Restaurant
- Gastro Pub: The Moorings
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Roseville Rooms at Faithlegg House Hotel
- Innovator: Dún Artisan Bakery
- Local Food Hero: Sarah Richards, Seagull Bakery
- Newcomer: Zuca Brew
- Pub: Tully’s Bar
- Restaurant Manager: Alan O’Shea of 360 Cookhouse
- Sustainable Practices: Grow HQ
- Use of Social Media: Grow HQ
- Wine Experience: UNioN Wine Bar & Kitchen
- World Cuisine: Mezze
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
Waterford:
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 –
Waterford is steeped in Viking and medieval history, with Waterford City’s Reginald’s Tower and Viking Triangle showcasing ancient artefacts. The Copper Coast, a UNESCO Geopark, offers dramatic coastal walks, while the Lismore Castle gardens provide serene beauty. Other attractions include the beaches of Tramore and historic Dunmore East. Waterford is Ireland’s 21st largest county by size (1,838 square km) and 20th largest by population (127,363). Population peaked at 196,187 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 71,439 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Waterford is Ireland’s ninth most visited tourist county with around 225,000 international visitors per year.
