The All-Ireland final of Irish Restaurant Awards 2024 took place in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road on Monday, May 20 where almost 1,200 of the Irish hospitality industry’s owners, chefs, managers, and staff gathered to crown the best establishments from across the country.
Cork restaurants emerged as the big winners on the night with Dede at the Custom House Baltimore named Best Restaurant at the event while Aishling Moore of Goldie was crowned Best Chef.
In total, this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards – the 15th year of the Awards – received over 160,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés, and other food services establishments across the country – the highest number yet.
Nominations were made by the public through The Irish Times, the Irish Restaurant Awards’ media partner.
Over the past few months, regional events were held in Kilkenny, Kerry, Mayo, and Armagh where county winners across various categories were announced. The overall All-Ireland winners were chosen from these local winners.
Speaking at the event, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, said: “During these undoubtedly tough times for our industry, celebrating Ireland’s food and hospitality offering is as crucial as ever.
"Above all, the Awards give us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the hard work of Ireland’s talented restaurant, café and food-led hospitality staff.
“These Awards highlight the resilience and innovation in our food industry. Behind every great dish is a team of individuals committed to creating memorable dining experiences.
“As ever, this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards showcased the very best of the region’s culinary talent. I would personally like to extend my congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their dedication and passion.”
Each year, funds are raised for a chosen charity at the All-Ireland final of the Irish Restaurant Awards. This year, substantial funds were raised for the Irish Kidney Association.
Best Restaurant – Sponsored by San Miguel
- Leinster: Clashganny House Restaurant
- Ulster: Macnean House & Restaurant
- Munster: Dede at the Custom House Baltimore
- Connaught: Eala Bhán
- Dublin: Chapter One Restaurant
- All Ireland: Dede at the Custom House Baltimore
Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service
- Leinster: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
- Ulster: Ciaran Sweeney, The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box
- Munster: Aishling Moore, Goldie
- Connaught: Danny Africano, Lignum
- Dublin: Eric Matthews, Kicky’s
- All Ireland: Aishling Moore, Goldie
Outstanding Achievement Award – Sponsored by istil.38
- TJ O’Connor
Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Elavon
- Leinster: Kasia Urban, Bramley Abbeyleix
- Ulster: Anne Cannon, La Bella Donna Restaurant
- Munster: Dermot Fetton, Earl of Thomond Restaurant at Dromoland Castle Hotel
- Connaught: Gabriel Camburu, Buffalo Boy
- Dublin: Prateek Vikram, China Sichuan Restaurant
- All Ireland: Prateek Vikram, China Sichuan Restaurant
Employee Excellence Award – Sponsored by Peninsula
- Leinster: Sophie Hogan, Hogan’s Farm Shop & Cafe
- Ulster: Liam McKenna, Armagh City Hotel
- Munster: Shane Gater, Mezze
- Connaught: Catalina Gabriela Caltun, 56 Central Restaurant Cafe
- Dublin: Lisa Freeley, Roly’s Bistro and Cafe
- All Ireland: Sophie Hogan, Hogan’s Farm Shop & Cafe
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant – Sponsored by Frylite
- Leinster: The Morrison Room at Carton House
- Ulster: Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Resort
- Munster: The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
- Connaught: George V at Ashford Castle
- Dublin: The Saddle Room at the Shelbourne
- All Ireland: The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
Pub of the Year – Sponsored by Mad March Hare Poitín
- Leinster: Begleys Bar
- Ulster: The Garrick
- Munster: Levis Corner House
- Connaught: Freeney’s Bar
- Dublin: Anseo
- All Ireland: Begleys Bar
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Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace
- Leinster: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro
- Ulster: The Square Bistro
- Munster: Elbow Lane Brew and Smokehouse
- Connaught: The Selkie
- Dublin: Osteria Lucio
- All Ireland: The Square Bistro
Best Gastropub – Sponsored by Molson Coors
- Leinster: The Strand Cahore
- Ulster: The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box
- Munster: Vaughans Anchor Inn
- Connaught: The Huntsman Inn
- Dublin: Gleesons of Booterstown
- All Ireland: The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box
Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance
- Leinster: Statham’s by Pembroke
- Ulster: 28 at the Hollow
- Munster: Lagom Restaurant Kenmare
- Connaught: Owenmore Restaurant at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
- Dublin: Potager
- All Ireland: Lagom Restaurant Kenmare
Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square
- Leinster: Tābú
- Ulster: Salumeria Mariuccia
- Munster: Homestead Cottage
- Connaught: Otto Pizza
- Dublin: La Gordita
- All Ireland: La Gordita
Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum
- Leinster: Ristorante Rinuccini
- Ulster: Ora Wine and Tapas
- Munster: The Dining Room at Park Hotel Kenmare
- Connaught: Daróg Wine Bar
- Dublin: Ely Wine Bar
- All Ireland: Daróg Wine Bar
Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen
- Leinster: Gralinn
- Ulster: Noble
- Munster: Aileen’s at Armada Hotel
- Connaught: Rusheenduff Restaurant at Renvyle House Hotel & Resort
- Dublin: Kicky’s
- All Ireland: Rusheenduff Restaurant at Renvyle House Hotel & Resort
Best Café – Sponsored by Illy
- Leinster: Bowe’s Foodhall & Cafe
- Ulster: Ursa Minor
- Munster: La Alegria Café
- Connaught: Rogue & Co Cafe
- Dublin: Happy Out x Together Academy
- All Ireland: Happy Out x Together Academy
Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by San Pellegrino
- Leinster: Sanjay’s Kitchen
- Ulster: Chandpur Restaurant
- Munster: Ichigo Ichie
- Connaught: Funké – Afro Caribbean Restaurant
- Dublin: 3 Leaves Blackrock
- All Ireland: Ichigo Ichie
Best Sustainable Practices – Sponsored by Familia Torres
- Leinster: Mueller and O’Connell Bakery
- Ulster: No 14 at the Georgian House
- Munster: Killarney Park & Ross Hotel
- Connaught: Kai Restaurant
- Dublin: Bread 41
- All Ireland: Kai Restaurant
Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo
- Leinster: Nóinín
- Ulster: The Blue Goat
- Munster: Rare 1784
- Connaught: Builín Blasta Cafe & Bakery
- Dublin: Amuri
- All Ireland: Rare 1784
Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Flogas
- Leinster: Pauline Dunne, Killowen Farm
- Ulster: Johnny Mcdowell, Indie Fude
- Munster: Siobhán Ní Gháirbhith, St. Tola Goat Cheese Farm
- Connaught: Patrick J Rigney, The Shed Distillery
- Dublin: Lorraine O’Connor, Muslim Sisters of Eire
- All Ireland: Lorraine O’Connor, Muslim Sisters of Eire
Best Cocktail Experience – Monin
- Adrian McFadden, The Garden Room at the Merrion Hotel
Food Truck of the Year – Munch’d by Zoma
- Misunderstood Heron
Best Learning and Development – Restaurant & Hospitality Skillnet
- Fota Island Resort
Best Cookery School – Avonmore
- The Edward Hayden School of Cookery
Best Private Dining & Club Restaurant – Cashel Blue Cheese
- Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club
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