- Overall: The Muddlers Club Restaurant, Belfast: The Muddlers Club is a Michelin-starred restaurant tucked away in the historic backstreets of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Named after a secret society from over two hundred years ago, it offers modern dining in a relaxed, urban industrial-style setting with an open kitchen. The focus is on high-quality local ingredients, allowing bold flavours to shine through in creative dishes served with energy and enthusiasm by a dedicated team.
- Café: General Merchants Belfast: General Merchants is a popular neighbourhood café with several locations across Belfast, known for its fine coffee and Antipodean-inspired brunches. It serves honest, approachable food with plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options in a welcoming, social atmosphere. The venues blend café culture with provisions and goods, making them favourite spots for relaxed breakfasts, lunches, and occasional evening menus with music and drinks.
- Casual Dining: Square Bistro Lisburn: Square Bistro is a family-run restaurant in the heart of Lisburn, celebrated for its relaxed dining experience and commitment to the finest local produce. Offering European and British dishes with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, it provides a welcoming space for lunches, dinners, and brunches in a smart yet casual setting. Its consistent quality and warm service have earned it strong local acclaim.
- Chef: Stevie Toman, Ox Restaurant, Belfast: Stevie Toman is a highly regarded Belfast chef and co-proprietor of the Michelin-starred Ox Restaurant. With experience at renowned kitchens including Paris’s Taillevent and L’Arpège, he brings finesse and innovation to modern Irish dining. His approach emphasises technique, superb ingredients, and a warm neighbourhood feel, helping to elevate Belfast’s restaurant scene with precise, flavour-driven cooking.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Beau Restaurant Belfast: Beau Restaurant, created by chef Lottie Noren, specialises in bold flavours and seasonal Irish produce presented through modern small plates. Located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, it offers relaxed, honest dining in a bright, open space with an open kitchen. The menu highlights fresh, contemporary interpretations of local ingredients in a welcoming environment without unnecessary formality.
- Customer Service: Shu Restaurant Belfast: Shu Restaurant on Lisburn Road is a long-standing favourite in Belfast, known for its inventive modern European cuisine and consistently excellent customer service. The thoughtfully designed, plush space features seasonal classics alongside new dishes, delivered with warmth and attentiveness. Its atmospheric setting, including a basement cocktail bar, makes it a popular choice for special occasions and everyday enjoyment.
- Employee Excellence Award: Aiden Adams, The Deer’s Head Belfast: Aiden Adams received the Employee Excellence Award for his outstanding contributions at The Deer’s Head in Belfast. This gastro pub is recognised for its quality and atmosphere, where dedicated team members like Aiden help create memorable experiences through attentive service and commitment to the venue’s standards. His excellence reflects the high level of staff dedication at this popular establishment.
- Gastro Pub: The Deer’s Head Belfast: The Deer’s Head is a well-regarded gastro pub in Belfast that combines traditional pub charm with high-quality dining. It offers carefully prepared dishes in a welcoming setting, supported by a strong team that contributes to its reputation for good food and enjoyable visits. The venue stands out for blending pub culture with elevated casual dining.
- Hotel and Guesthouse: Bushmills Townhouse, Bushmills: Bushmills Townhouse provides comfortable and welcoming accommodation in the historic town of Bushmills, known for its proximity to the Giant’s Causeway and the Old Bushmills Distillery. As a guesthouse, it offers a personal touch with quality stays that make it a convenient base for exploring the North Antrim coast and surrounding attractions.
- Innovator: Waterman House Belfast: Waterman House in Belfast is recognised for its innovative approach to dining and hospitality. It brings fresh ideas and creativity to its offerings, setting it apart through thoughtful concepts that enhance the guest experience in the city’s evolving food scene.
- Local Food Hero: Jordan Weir, The Dairy – Bistro, Butchers & Farm Shop Glenoe: Jordan Weir is celebrated as a Local Food Hero for his work at The Dairy in Glenoe, a multifaceted venue combining a bistro, butchers, and farm shop. His dedication to local produce, farm-to-table principles, and community-focused food production highlights the best of Irish ingredients and sustainable practices.
- Newcomer: Luna Belfast: Luna is a recent addition to Belfast’s dining scene, quickly making an impression as a newcomer with its fresh concept and appealing offerings. It brings new energy to the city’s restaurants through creative menus and a welcoming atmosphere that has captured the attention of diners seeking something distinctive.
- Restaurant Manager: Paul Vaughan, James St, Belfast: Paul Vaughan serves as restaurant manager at James Street in Belfast, where his leadership contributes to smooth operations and high standards of service. His role helps ensure that guests enjoy a polished and enjoyable dining experience in this popular city-centre venue.
- Pub: The Garrick Belfast: The Garrick is a classic and lively pub in Belfast, appreciated for its traditional atmosphere and strong community presence. It offers a genuine pub experience with drinks, good company, and a sense of history in the heart of the city.
- Sustainable Practices: Ursa Minor Ballycastle: Ursa Minor in Ballycastle stands out for its commitment to sustainable practices in hospitality. Located on the North Antrim coast, it integrates environmentally conscious methods into its operations, supporting local suppliers and demonstrating thoughtful approaches to reducing impact while delivering quality experiences.
- Use of Social Media: Nova Belfast: Nova in Belfast has been recognised for its effective use of social media to engage with audiences and showcase its offerings. Through creative and consistent online presence, it builds community connection and highlights the vibrant aspects of its venue in an engaging way.
- Wine Experience: The Crafty Vintner Tasting Room Belfast: The Crafty Vintner Tasting Room provides an excellent wine experience in Belfast, offering a curated selection of wines in a dedicated tasting space. It allows enthusiasts to explore and enjoy fine wines in a knowledgeable and relaxed environment, enhancing appreciation through thoughtful selections and service.
- World Cuisine: Amaravathi Belfast: Amaravathi brings world cuisine to Belfast with a focus on vibrant Indian flavours and dishes. It offers an authentic and diverse menu that celebrates global culinary traditions, providing diners with a taste of Indian hospitality and expertly prepared specialities in a welcoming setting.
Georgina Campbell Awards
- Newcomer of the Year: Dunluce Lodge, Portrush, A fresh and welcoming newcomer recognised for exceptional hospitality and quality dining in this scenic coastal location.
- Traditional Pub of the Year: The House of McDonnell, Ballycastle, A historic pub honoured for its authentic Irish pub experience, excellent hospitality, and traditional charm.
- Culinary Haven Finalist: The Bushmills Inn, Bushmills, Shortlisted for its outstanding hospitality and dining offerings in a classic inn setting.
Good Food Ireland Awards
- Supreme Award Of The Year: FishCity, Belfast, Awarded the top honour for exceptional overall culinary experience, sustainability, and high-quality Irish ingredients in this standout Belfast venue.
- 5-Star Hotel Finalist: Dunluce Lodge, Portrush, Recognised for top-tier hospitality and dining.
- 5-Star Hotel Finalist: Galgorm Resort, Ballymena, Shortlisted for excellence in luxury hospitality and restaurant offerings.
- Sweet & Savoury Producer of the Year: Irish Black Butter, County Antrim, Honoured for premium artisanal products supporting the local food scene (producer-focused).
Michelin Guide
- Gareth McCaughey’s Muddler’s Club Belfast: A relaxed yet accomplished spot in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, it focuses on honest, seasonal cooking with excellent meats, fish, and vegetables. Chef Gareth McCaughey delivers refined plates with attention to detail and sustainability, in an approachable, modern environment.
- Stephen Toman’s Ox Belfast: Overlooking the River Lagan, Ox offers understated elegance with a menu centred on superb ingredients, particularly meats and sustainable seafood. Chef Stephen Toman’s cooking is precise and flavour-focused, with seasonal vegetables playing a key role in balanced, thoughtful dishes
- Bib Gourmand: Waterman, Belfast, A no-frills, high-quality restaurant offering excellent value with flavourful contemporary dishes in the Cathedral Quarter.
- Recommended (selected prominent examples): Yugo, Belfast (Asian-inspired); Home, Belfast (Mediterranean); EDŌ, Belfast (European contemporary); mrDeanes, Belfast; James St., Belfast; Orā, Belfast; Beau, Belfast; The Muddlers Club, Belfast.
- County Antrim’s awards scene is dominated by Belfast’s vibrant urban dining (OX and Waterman as key standouts), alongside coastal gems in areas like Ballycastle, Bushmills, and Portrush (with Dunluce Lodge as a major newcomer), blending fine dining innovation, seafood excellence, historic pubs, and welcoming hospitality in Ireland’s second most populous county.
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
Antrim:
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 –
Antrim offers a stunning blend of coastal beauty and historic sites, with the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing unique basalt columns along the rugged shore. Carrickfergus Castle provides a glimpse into medieval history, while the Glens of Antrim offer scenic drives through rolling hills. Other attractions include the Belfast Botanic Gardens and coastal. Antrim is Ireland’s ninth largest county by size (3,046 square km) and second largest by population (651,321). In terms of hospitality, Antrim is Ireland’s fifth most visited tourist county with around 525,000 international visitors per year.
