- Restaurant: Campagne, Kilkenny City, A Michelin-starred modern cuisine restaurant in the city centre, renowned for its richly flavoured classic dishes using top-quality local Irish ingredients in a sleek, art-filled setting.
- Chef: John Kelly of Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, An outstanding chef awarded the All-Ireland Chef title for his boldly flavoured, visually impressive, and skilfully prepared fine-dining dishes at this luxurious estate restaurant.
- Restaurant Manager: Shane Rice of Zuni Restaurant at Zuni Boutique Hotel, Kilkenny City, A dedicated manager recognised for exceptional leadership and service excellence in this popular boutique hotel eatery.
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro, Kilkenny City, A standout venue blending artisan baking with modern Irish bistro fare, celebrated for its innovative approach and community impact.
- Innovator of the Year: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro, Kilkenny City, Honoured for creative contributions to contemporary dining and bakery excellence in the city.
- Café: Knockdrinna Cafe, near Kilkenny, A charming café known for its fresh bakes, quality coffee, and welcoming rural atmosphere.
- Casual Dining: Nóinín, County Kilkenny, A relaxed spot specialising in approachable, high-quality casual meals with a focus on fresh ingredients.
Michelin Star
- Campagne, Kilkenny City, A long-established favourite owned by chef Garrett Byrne, offering modern cuisine with classic techniques, local ingredients, and relaxed yet professional service.
- Lady Helen, Thomastown (Mount Juliet Estate), An opulent fine-dining restaurant in a historic estate setting, praised for its luxurious, skilfully executed dishes and impressive presentation (retaining its star for the 12th year).
Georgina Campbell Awards
- Historic Destination (Casual Dining): Petronella, Kilkenny City, A charming restaurant on the famous Butterslip Lane, capturing historic atmosphere with quality food in a unique medieval setting.
Other Notable Awards
- Hotel Restaurant of the Year (Food Awards Ireland): Zuni, Kilkenny City, Recognised for exceptional hotel dining within the Zuni Boutique Hotel, blending modern fare with warm hospitality.
- County Kilkenny’s awards scene emphasises its fine-dining excellence (particularly the Michelin-starred Campagne and Lady Helen), innovative urban spots like Arán, and historic charm, with a focus on high-quality local ingredients and professional hospitality in both city and estate settings.
Restaurants Association Award winners full list
- Overall: Campagne
- Café: Knockdrinna Cafe
- Casual Dining: Nóinín
- Chef: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro
- Customer Service: Butcher Restaurant
- Employee Excellence Award: Anita Massey, The Grill Restaurant at Lyrath Estate
- Gastro Pub: Langton’s Bar and Restaurant
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
- Innovator: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro
- Local Food Hero: Tracie Daly of Tracie Daly Food Business Coach
- Newcomer: Dizzy Goat Restaurant
- Pub: Malzards Bar and Pub
- Restaurant Manager: Shane Rice, Zuni Restaurant at Zuni Boutique Hotel
- Sustainable Practices: The Greenhouse at Mountain View
- Use of Social Media: Cafe La Coco
- Wine Experience: Ristorante Rinuccini
- World Cuisine: Tābú
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
Kilkenny:
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 –
Kilkenny is a county of medieval charm, with Kilkenny City’s castle and St Canice’s Cathedral showcasing well-preserved architecture and round towers. The Dunmore Cave offers intriguing limestone formations, while the Nore Valley’s walking trails provide scenic beauty. Other attractions include the historic Jerpoint Abbey’s intricate carvings. Kilkenny is Ireland’s 16th largest county by size (2,062 square km) and 21st largest by population (104,160). Population peaked at 202,420 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 60,463 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Kilkenny is Ireland’s eleventh most visited tourist county with around 207,000 international visitors per year.
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
