- Overall (Best Restaurant): Thyme Restaurant, Athlone: This intimate, Bib Gourmand-listed restaurant in Athlone (retaining its Michelin Bib for the eighth year) offers exceptional modern Irish cuisine with creative, high-quality dishes made from seasonal local ingredients. It provides great value, bold flavours, a welcoming atmosphere, and consistent excellence, earning it the top spot as Westmeath’s best restaurant.
- Cafe: The Stables Tea Rooms, Packenham Hall, Castlepollard: Nestled in the historic courtyard of Tullynally Castle & Gardens (Pakenham Hall) near Castlepollard, this charming tearooms serves homemade refreshments, delicious bakes, light lunches, premium teas, coffees, and treats. It offers a cosy indoor/outdoor setting amid stunning gardens, ideal for a peaceful, scenic break during castle visits.
- Casual Dining: Poppy Fields Cafe, Athlone: A popular, family-run Cafe in Athlone specialising in homemade breads, scones, cakes, all-day breakfasts, hearty lunches (like beef lasagne), healthy options, vegetarian dishes, gluten-free choices, and daily specials. It delivers warm hospitality, reasonable prices, and a welcoming spot for breakfast, lunch, tea, coffee, and desserts.
- Chef: John Coffey, Thyme Restaurant, Athlone: Head chef John Coffey at Thyme Restaurant in Athlone is celebrated for his innovative, skilful, and passionate approach to modern Irish cooking. He creates high-quality, flavour-driven dishes with fresh ingredients, earning recognition for his talent and leadership in elevating the restaurant’s acclaimed status.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Days Bazaar Mullingar: This premium Cafe and eatery on Oliver Plunkett Street in Mullingar focuses on fine, contemporary Irish fare using the finest local and seasonal ingredients. It offers healthy, high-quality dishes, drinks, and experiences in a stylish setting, blending modern twists with emphasis on provenance and fresh flavours.
- Customer Service: Il Colosseo, Athlone: This Athlone restaurant stands out for its exceptional, warm, and attentive customer service. The dedicated team ensures guests feel valued through professional, friendly hospitality, contributing to a welcoming dining experience alongside its Italian cuisine.
- Employee Excellence Award: Aimee Clarke, James Joyce Restaurant at Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar: Aimee Clarke is honoured for her outstanding dedication, teamwork, and exceptional performance in delivering top-tier service and guest experiences at the James Joyce Restaurant within the historic Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar, exemplifying excellence in hospitality.
- Gastro Pub: The Villager Bar & Restaurant, Athlone: This vibrant gastropub in Athlone combines elevated pub dining with a lively, welcoming atmosphere. It serves quality, hearty dishes made from fresh ingredients, alongside a strong drinks selection, making it a standout for casual yet refined pub hospitality and community appeal in the area.
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar: This family-friendly hotel restaurant in Mullingar offers high-quality, welcoming dining with a focus on fresh Irish ingredients, classic dishes, and buffet/carvery options. It combines elegant hotel hospitality with reliable, seasonal menus in a comfortable setting, earning recognition as the top hotel/guesthouse restaurant in Westmeath for its consistent standards and guest care.
- Innovator of the Year: Irish Craft Soda Company, Athlone: Based at Dead Centre Brewing in Athlone, this innovative producer creates premium, craft non-alcoholic sodas using natural ingredients and creative flavours as healthier alternatives to traditional soft drinks. It stands out for pushing boundaries in beverage innovation, sustainability, and quality, earning acclaim for its fresh approach and strong regional impact.
- Local Food Hero: The Gillivan Family, Gillivan’s Moate Meats, Moate: The Gillivan family operates this respected butcher and meat supplier in Moate, specialising in high-quality, locally sourced meats with a commitment to provenance, freshness, and traditional butchery skills. They are celebrated for supplying top restaurants and the community, championing Irish farming, and delivering exceptional products with passion and dedication.
- Newcomer: The Lough Ree Inn, Coosan: Reopened under new owners Laura and Gerry Murtagh in August 2025, this welcoming pub and eatery in Coosan (near Lough Ree) quickly became a local favourite. It offers hearty meals, drinks, coffee, and a friendly atmosphere with scenic views, gaining rapid acclaim for its quality, value, and community vibe in its debut year.
- Pub of the Year: The Snug Bar, Athlone: A beloved traditional pub in Athlone, The Snug Bar is recognised for its authentic Irish pub experience, excellent pints (especially Guinness), cosy snug atmosphere, warm hospitality, and strong community appeal. It blends classic charm with welcoming service, making it a standout local gathering spot.
- Restaurant Manager: Trevor Byrne, Scanlons Pub, Kinnegad: Trevor Byrne is honoured for his exceptional leadership and management at Scanlons Pub in Kinnegad, delivering outstanding service standards, team motivation, and welcoming hospitality that enhance guest experiences and contribute to the pub’s success and regional recognition.
- Sustainable Practices: Bastion Kitchen, Athlone: This popular Athlone venue excels in eco-friendly operations, focusing on sustainable sourcing, local and seasonal produce, waste reduction, and green practices in its Cafe and kitchen management. It sets a benchmark for environmental responsibility while offering quality food in a welcoming setting.
- Use of Social Media: Weir’s Bar & Restaurant, Multyfarnham: This family-run bar and restaurant in Multyfarnham stands out for its highly engaging and effective social media strategy. It brilliantly showcases its food specials, events, welcoming atmosphere, community connections, and daily offerings to build strong online loyalty and presence.
- Wine Experience: The Left Bank Bistro, Athlone: This acclaimed bistro in Athlone delivers an exceptional wine programme with a thoughtfully curated selection, expert pairings, and knowledgeable service that complement its modern Irish and international cuisine. It earns praise for outstanding wine-focused hospitality and enhancing every dining experience.
- World Cuisine: Spice India Athlone: A popular Indian restaurant in Athlone, Spice India specialises in authentic, flavourful curries, tandoori dishes, and classic favourites with consistent quality, generous portions, and creative touches. It is recognised for excellence in world (primarily Indian) cuisine and welcoming neighbourhood dining.
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: The Stables Tea Rooms, Packenham Hall, Castlepollard
- Casual Dining: Poppy Fields Cafe, Athlone
- Chef: John Coffey, Thyme Restaurant, Athlone
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Days Bazaar Mullingar
- Customer Service: Il Colosseo, Athlone
- Employee Excellence Award: Aimee Clarke, James Joyce Restaurant at Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar
- Gastro Pub: The Villager Bar & Restaurant, Athlone
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar
- Innovator of the Year: Irish Craft Soda Company, Athlone
- Local Food Hero: The Gillivan Family, Gillivan’s Moate Meats, Moate
- Newcomer: The Lough Ree Inn, Coosan
- Pub of the Year: The Snug Bar, Athlone
- Restaurant Manager: Trevor Byrne, Scanlons Pub, Kinnegad
- Sustainable Practices: Bastion Kitchen, Athlone
- Use of Social Media: Weir’s Bar & Restaurant, Multyfarnham
- Wine Experience: The Left Bank Bistro, Athlone
- World Cuisine: Spice India Athlone
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
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
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.
