Ireland’s Best Hospitality Businesses and Professionals Crowned at Irish Restaurant Awards 2026

Tuesday, May 19, 2026. 12:34pm

Restaurant of the Year Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud — Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud was named Best Restaurant in Ireland

More than 1,000 hospitality professionals gathered in Dublin as Ireland’s leading restaurants, chefs and venues were recognised at the national final.

Ireland’s best hospitality businesses and professionals have been honoured at the All-Ireland Final of the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, where more than 1,000 chefs, restaurateurs, managers and staff gathered to celebrate excellence across Ireland’s hospitality sector.

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud was named Best Restaurant in Ireland on the night, while Ahmet Dede of Dede at The Customs House Baltimore received the award for Best Chef in Ireland.

Paul and Máire Flynn of The Tannery Restaurant, Townhouse and Cookery School were presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of their longstanding contribution to Irish hospitality and culinary excellence.

Now in its 17th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received over 150,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés and hospitality venues nationwide. Nominations were submitted by the public through The Irish Times website, media partner of the Awards.

In advance of the All-Ireland final, regional awards ceremonies took place across the four provinces where county and regional winners were recognised across a wide range of categories. Those winners then progressed to the national final.

Funds were also raised throughout the evening in support of The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, continuing the Awards’ longstanding commitment to supporting charitable causes.

Paul and Máire Flynn of The Tannery Restaurant, Townhouse and Cookery School – Outstanding Achievement Award

Speaking at the All-Ireland Awards, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Seán Collender, said:

“Tonight is a celebration of the people who make Ireland’s hospitality industry one of the most vibrant and exciting sectors in the country. From local cafés and family run restaurants to world class dining destinations, these Awards recognise the passion, dedication and innovation that can be found in every corner of Ireland.”
“Gordon Ramsay recently described Ireland as the sleeping giant of European cuisine. Well, that giant is awakening and tonight is proof of that. Across every county we are seeing incredible creativity, quality and ambition in our restaurants and hospitality businesses.”
“The standard showcased tonight demonstrates that Ireland should now be firmly recognised as a leading culinary destination. I want to congratulate every nominee and winner for the extraordinary work they do every day to showcase the very best of Irish hospitality.”

2026 Winners – Irish Restaurant Awards

Best Restaurant – Sponsored by American Express

Leinster: Bramley Abbeyleix
Connaught: The Cottage Restaurant
Munster: Homestead Cottage
Ulster: Noble
Dublin: Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
All Ireland: Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud

Outstanding Achievement Award – Sponsored by Excel Recruitment

All Ireland: Paul and Máire Flynn, The Tannery Restaurant, Townhouse and Cookery School

Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service

Connaught: Dave Mullan, Fish & Bean
Ulster: Stevie Toman, Ox Restaurant
Dublin: Mickael Viljanen, Chapter One
Leinster: John Coffey, Thyme Restaurant
Munster: Ahmet Dede, Dede at The Customs House Baltimore
All Ireland: Ahmet Dede, Dede at The Customs House Baltimore

Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Paynt

Ulster: Paul Vaughan, James St
Munster: Elaine Hourigan, 1826 Adare
Connaught: Lorraine McHugh, The Selkie
Dublin: Darren Campbell, La Gordita
Leinster: Carmel Boyle, Ballyfin Demesne
All Ireland: Carmel Boyle, Ballyfin Demesne

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant – Sponsored by Peninsula

Dublin: Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins at Anantara The Marker
Leinster: Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
Connaught: The Lodge at Ashford Castle
Ulster: Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate
Munster: Rare at Blue Haven Hotel
All Ireland: Rare at Blue Haven Hotel

Best Use of Social Media – Sponsored by Revolut

Leinster: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro
Ulster: Charlie’s Bar, Enniskillen
Munster: The Lifeboat Inn
Dublin: Rosa Madre
Connaught: The Dough Bros – Galway
All Ireland: The Dough Bros – Galway

Employee Excellence Award – Sponsored by Peninsula

Dublin: Ashling Griffin, King Sitric Seafood Bar & Accommodation
Munster: Ciara O Shea, Caseys Bar & Restaurant
Ulster: Lina Krolenko, Sonder
Leinster: Sophie Hogan, Hogan’s Farm Shop & Cafe
Connaught: Theresa Donlon, Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar and Restaurant
All Ireland: Theresa Donlon, Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar and Restaurant

Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace

Connaught: Mitchell’s Restaurant
Ulster: Fisk Seafood Bar
Leinster: Inside Out
Dublin: Vada
Munster: Farmgate
All Ireland: Farmgate

Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Hendersons Foodservice

Dublin: F.X. Buckley @ Ryan’s of Parkgate Street
Ulster: The Dirty Duck Alehouse
Munster: Merrys Gastro Pub
Leinster: Left Bank
Connaught: Coyne’s Gastropub & Pantry
All Ireland: Coyne’s Gastropub & Pantry

Best Cafe – Sponsored by Illy

Leinster: Grálinn Sunny Row
Dublin: Two Pups
Connaught: Baker 51
Munster: Grumpy Bakers – Cork City
Ulster: General Merchants
All Ireland: General Merchants

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance

Dublin: Volpe Nera
Connaught: Blackthorn at The Twelve Hotel
Ulster: No. 9 Market Square
Leinster: Bearú
Munster: Solas Tapas & Wine
All Ireland: Solas Tapas & Wine

Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square

Ulster: Capparelli at The Mill
Leinster: Ernie’s @ Shackleton Experience
Munster: 505
Connaught: Fawn Food & Wine
Dublin: Comet
All Ireland: Comet

Pub of the Year – Sponsored by Bartenders Association of Ireland

Leinster: The Dylan Whisky Bar
Ulster: Linnet Inn
Connaught: McDonnells Bar
Munster: J. & K. Walsh Victorian Spirit Grocer
Dublin: The Cobblestone
All Ireland: The Cobblestone

Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum

Ulster: El Tapas Grá
Leinster: Delgany Wine Cottage
Munster: MacCurtain Wine Cellar
Connaught: Daróg Wine Bar
Dublin: 64 Wine
All Ireland: 64 Wine

Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen

Connaught: Harrisons Bar & Restaurant
Munster: The Glass Curtain
Leinster: Reeds Restaurant at Ferrycarrig Hotel
Dublin: La Maison
Ulster: Frae
All Ireland: Frae

Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by National Chef de Partie Apprenticeship & National Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programmes

Leinster: Sanjay’s Kitchen
Connaught: Kombu – Ramen & Bao Bar
Ulster: Braai Restaurant Donegal
Dublin: Bigfan
Munster: Miyazaki
All Ireland: Miyazaki

Best Sustainable Practices – Sponsored by Restaurants Association of Ireland

Dublin: Fairmental
Ulster: Killeavy Castle Estate
Munster: Woodlands House Hotel & Spa
Leinster: Solas Eco Garden Centre
Connaught: Kai
All Ireland: Kai

Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo

Munster: Slow and Steady
Leinster: The Centre of Food Culture Ireland
Connaught: Builín Blasta Cafe & Bakery
Ulster: Waterman House
Dublin: Mr Fox Whiskey
All Ireland: Mr Fox Whiskey

Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap Agency

Leinster: Kian Louët-Feisser, Carlingford Oyster Company
Connaught: Cillian Ó Móráin and Naomi Clarkin, Mescan Brewery
Dublin: Peter Caviston, Cavistons Restaurant and Food Emporium
Ulster: Jordan Weir, The Dairy – Bistro, Butchers & Farm Shop
Munster: Eunice Power, Waterford Festival of Food
All Ireland: Eunice Power, Waterford Festival of Food