- Overall: Thyme Restaurant, Athlone, A Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded neighbourhood restaurant in Athlone, renowned for its creative modern Irish cuisine using seasonal local produce, precise execution, and warm hospitality (also secured the Leinster regional Restaurant title).
- Chef: John Coffey of Thyme Restaurant, Athlone, A talented chef recognised for his innovative, high-quality cooking and dedication to fresh Irish ingredients in this standout venue.
- Restaurant Manager: Antoanela Belviso of Il Colosseo, Athlone, An exceptional manager honoured for outstanding leadership and service excellence in this popular Italian restaurant.
- Café: Bastion Kitchen, Athlone, A charming café celebrated for its excellent coffee, fresh bakes, and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
- Casual Dining: Dead Centre Brewing, Athlone, A vibrant brewpub and eatery specialising in high-quality casual fare, craft beers, and a lively community setting.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Left Bank Bistro, Athlone, A scenic waterside bistro known for its modern Irish dishes with a focus on local ingredients and canal views (also recognised in Georgina Campbell awards as “Taste of the Waterways”).
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Glasson Lakehouse, Glasson, An elegant lakeside restaurant within the hotel, offering refined dining with stunning Lough Ree views and seasonal fare.
- Customer Service: The Fatted Calf, Athlone, A welcoming venue praised for its exceptional friendly and attentive hospitality.
- Innovator: Wholesome Kitchen Restaurant, location in County Westmeath, Honoured for creative approaches to dining and strong community engagement.
- Local Food Hero: Anthony Gilsenan of 12 Points Restaurant, Killua Castle, Clonmellon, A passionate individual celebrated for championing local produce through his restaurant at the historic castle setting.
National Irish Restaurant Awards
- Leinster Restaurant: Thyme Restaurant, Athlone, Secured the regional title for its consistent excellence and value-driven modern cuisine.
Georgina Campbell Awards
- Taste of the Waterways: The Left Bank Bistro, Athlone, Awarded for its evocative location and quality dining overlooking the waterways in Athlone.
- Michelin Guide, County Westmeath
- Bib Gourmand: Thyme, Athlone, Recognised for good quality, good value cooking with high standards in a welcoming setting.
Restaurant Association Award winners full list
- Overall: Thyme Restaurant, Athlone
- Café: Bastion Kitchen
- Casual Dining: Dead Centre Brewing
- Chef: John Coffey, Thyme Restaurant
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Left Bank Bistro
- Customer Service: The Fatted Calf
- Employee Excellence Award: Robert Dasiak, The Fatted Calf
- Gastro Pub: The Villager Bar & Restaurant
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Glasson Lakehouse
- Innovator: Wholesome Kitchen Restaurant
- Local Food Hero: Anthony Gilsenan of Twelve Points Killua
- Newcomer: Spiced Bean Cafe
- Pub: Sean’s Bar
- Restaurant Manager: Antoanela Belviso, Il Colosseo
- Sustainable Practices: Glasson Glamping Farm
- Use of Social Media: Garrison Coffee Co – Athlone Town
- Wine Experience: Mistervini
- World Cuisine: Al Mezza Lebanese 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 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
2024 Restaurants Association 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
Westmeath:
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 –
Westmeath offers a blend of lakes and historic charm, with Athlone Castle providing insights into medieval Ireland along the Shannon River. The Belvedere House and Gardens showcase Georgian elegance, while Lough Ree offers boating and fishing opportunities. Other attractions include the ancient Fore Abbey and its monastic ruins and traditional seven wonders. Westmeath is Ireland’s tenth smallest county by size (1,763 square km) and 11th smallest by population (96,221). Population peaked at 141,300 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 52,861 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Westmeath is Ireland’s 22nd most visited tourist county with around 95,000 international visitors per year.
