Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

Belfast Live

Entertainment

Sophie McLaughlin

Best NI eateries, hotels and bars crowned at Irish Restaurant Awards

NI (Organization) All-Ireland (Organization) NOBLE (Organization)

The winners of the Ulster Regional awards for the Irish Restaurant Awards 2023 have been announced.

Restaurants, cafes and eateries across the country have been selected to represent their country at the All Ireland final later this year.

President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, said: "Now in their 14th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards returns with a record-breaking number of public nominations (over 130,000).

"The awards are an opportunity to celebrate the existing, and up and coming talent, in the sector and are a reminder that hospitality is nothing without their dedicated and passionate staff."

Here are the NI winners at the Ulster Regional awards by county:

Antrim

Local Food Hero - Phil Ervine, Taste and Tour
Best Sustainable Practices - Academy Restaurant, Ulster University
Innovator of the Year - Flout Belfast
Free From - Home
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - Blank
Best Restaurant Manager - Alain Kerloc’h, OX
Best Wine Experience - La Bottega
Best Café -Neighbourhood
Best World Cuisine - Bo Tree
Best Newcomer - Roam
Pub of the Year - John Hewitt
Best Casual Dining - Edo
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - River Room Restaurant at Galgorm
Best Customer Service - Blank
Best Gastro Pub - Deer’s Head
Best Chef - Gareth McCaughey, The Muddlers Club
Best Restaurant - OX

Armagh

Local Food Hero - John & Sarah Murray, Embers
Best Sustainable Practices - Killeavy Castle Estate
Innovator of the Year- The Corner House Bar
Free From - The Portmor
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - Clenaghans Restaurant
Best Restaurant Manager - James Scott, The Bawn Pantry
Best Wine Experience - Wine and Brine
Best Café -Caife Mhacha
Best World Cuisine - Shapla
Best Newcomer - Sojourn Coffee
Pub of the Year - Hole in the Wall
Best Casual Dining - Sally McNally’s
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Newforge House
Best Customer Service - Newforge House
Best Gastro Pub - Digby’s Bar & Restaurant
Best Chef - Chris McGowan, Wine and Brine
Best Restaurant - Wine and Brine

Derry

Local Food Hero - Kevin Pyke, Pykes “N” Pommes
Best Sustainable Practices - The City Hotel Derry
Innovator of the Year - Brøn Cafe Bar and Restaurant
Free From - Cedar Restaurant
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - The Sooty Olive
Best Restaurant Manager - James McKee, District 45
Best Wine Experience - Artis Restaurant by Phelim O’Hagan
Best Café - The Pickled Duck
Best World Cuisine - Mekong
Best Newcomer - Coupe
Pub of the Year - Sandinos
Best Casual Dining - El Tapas Grá
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - The Gown, Bishops Gate Hotel
Best Customer Service - Shipquay Restaurant
Best Gastro Pub - Walled City Brewery
Best Chef -Ian Orr, Browns Bonds Hill
Best Restaurant - Browns Bonds Hill

Down

Local Food Hero - Peter Hannan, Hannan Meats
Best Sustainable Practices - Slieve Donard Hotel
Innovator of the Year - Frae
Free From - The Smugglers Table
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine -The Cuan
Best Restaurant Manager - Saul McConnell, Noble
Best Wine Experience - Noble
Best Café - The Bearded Goat
Best World Cuisine - Tuk Tuk Asian Bistro
Best Newcomer - Joxer Holywood
Pub of the Year - Maghera Inn
Best Casual Dining - Frae
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - The Salty Dog Hotel & Bistro
Best Customer Service - Brunel’s
Best Gastro Pub - The Dirty Duck
Best Chef - Pearson Morris, Noble
Best Restaurant - Noble

Fermanagh

Local Food Hero - Marty McAdam, The Street Kitchen Enniskillen
Best Sustainable Practices - Manor House Country Hotel
Innovator of the Year - The Giddy Box
Free From - Milly’s Restaurant
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - Finn Lough
Best Restaurant Manager -Mario Breban-McDonald, Tully Mill Restaurant
Best Wine Experience - 28 At The Hollow
Best Café - The Toastery
Best World Cuisine - Taco Loco
Best Newcomer - The Dog and Duck Inn
Pub of the Year - Devenish Bar
Best Casual Dining - Dollakis
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne
Best Customer Service - Francos
Best Gastro Pub - Granny Annies
Best Chef - Glen Wheeler, 28 At The Hollow
Best Restaurant - 28 At The Hollow

Tyrone

Tomney's Bar in Moy village (Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)

Local Food Hero Sponsored by The Irish Times - Colin McMenamin, The Red Pepper
Best Sustainable Practices - Corick House Hotel & Spa
Innovator of the Year - The Millstonebar and Restaurant
Free From - The Tailor’s House
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine - The Banks Restaurant
Best Restaurant Manager - Ellen McCabrey, Chapter V
Best Wine Experience - The Wine Rack
Best Café - Moy Larder
Best World Cuisine - Tusk
Best Newcomer - The Banks Restaurant
Pub of the Year - Tomneys Bar
Best Casual Dining - Salleys Restaurant
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - The Sika 1888 @ The Cedar Country Hotel
Best Customer Service - Oysters Restaurant
Best Gastro Pub - The Brewer’s House
Best Chef - Conor McCabrey, Chapter V
Best Restaurant - Chapter V

All of the county winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards All Ireland Final on Monday 15th May.

READ NEXT: