Best food places in Ireland you have to try this summer 2025

The All-Ireland Final of the 2025 Irish Restaurant Awards took place at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin recently.

Over 1,000 top hospitality professionals, including owners, chefs, managers and staff, all gathered to celebrate the finest establishments in Irish food and drink across the country.

Taking home the top honours on the night was Dede at the Customs House, Baltimore in Cork who were named Best Restaurant in Ireland.

John Kelly of the Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny was awarded Best Chef in Ireland.

Renowned Chef Neven Maguire was also honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award recognising his contribution to Irish food and hospitality.

The Irish Restaurant Awards received a record breaking 165,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés and venues across the country - the highest in the Awards’ history. Entries were submitted by the public via The Irish Times website, media partner of the Awards.

In the lead-up to the national final, regional awards ceremonies were hosted in Kildare, Cork, Sligo and Monaghan, where county-level winners were revealed across a range of categories. The national winners were selected from these regional champions.

This year’s best restaurant winners are:
• Leinster: Thyme Restaurant
• Connaught: Lignum
• Ulster: MacNean House & Restaurant
• Dublin: Chapter One
• Munster: Dede at the Customs House, Baltimore
• All Ireland: Dede at the Customs House, Baltimore

The Best Chef winners:
• Ulster: Ciaran Sweeney, The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box
• Munster: Brian Murray, The Glass Curtain
• Dublin: Visham Sumputh, Etto
• Connaught: Yvonne Kathrein, Poacher Restaurant
• Leinster: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
• All Ireland: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate

Best Restaurant Manager:
• Connaught: Shirley Stirzaker, Dining Room
• Leinster: William Wong, Saba
• Munster: Sophie McCauley, Homestead Cottage
• Ulster: Laura Connolly, The Oak Room Restaurant
• Dublin: Cian Lynch, Uno Mas
• All Ireland: Cian Lynch, Uno Mas

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant:
• Ulster: Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate
• Leinster: The Sea Rooms at Kelly's Resort
• Munster: Landline at Park Hotel Kenmare
• Dublin: The Saddle Room at The Shelbourne
• Connaught: George V at Ashford Castle
• All Ireland: George V at Ashford Castle

Best Use of Social Media:
• Leinster: Little Acorn Cafe
• Dublin: Kicky's
• Connaught: Hooked
• Ulster: Sonder
• Munster: Hotel Woodstock
• All Ireland: Hotel Woodstock

Employee Excellence Award:
• Leinster: Jackie Cullen, Mary Barry's Bar
• Connaught: Emma Cavanagh, Nook Cafe and Restaurant
• Munster: Geraldine Ward, Everett's Restaurant
• Ulster: Liam McKenna, Armagh City Hotel
• Dublin: Charlie O'Reilly, Happy Out x Together Academy
• All Ireland: Charlie O'Reilly, Happy Out x Together Academy

Best Casual Dining:
• Munster: Momo Restaurant
• Ulster: Frae
• Leinster: The Valley Inn
• Connaught: Guys Seafood Bar
• Dublin: Crudo
• All Ireland: Crudo

READ NEXT: Ireland AM presenter gets big surprise when ripping up carpets in her new home

Best Gastro Pub:
• Ulster: Murph's Gastro Pub
• Dublin: HERA
• Leinster: The Glyde Inn
• Munster: J. M. Reidy's
• Connaught: McSwiggans
• All Ireland: McSwiggans

Best Café:
• Dublin: Two Boys Brew
• Munster: Seagull Bakery
• Connaught: POTA
• Ulster: Ursa Minor
• Leinster: Strandfield
• All Ireland: Strandfield

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine:
• Connaught: The Lavender Restaurant
• Dublin: Volpe Nera
• Munster: Saint Francis Provisions
• Leinster: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro
• Ulster: The Olde Post Inn
• All Ireland: The Olde Post Inn

Best Newcomer:
• Munster: Baba'de
• Connaught: Oifig An Fish
• Ulster: No. 9 Market Square
• Dublin: Forêt
• Leinster: Bearú
• All Ireland: Bearú

Pub of the Year:
• Dublin: Neary's
• Ulster: The Reel Inn
• Connaught: Matt Molloy's
• Munster: An Siopa Dubh
• Leinster: Sean's Bar
• All Ireland: Sean's Bar

Best Wine Experience:
• Ulster: OX
• Leinster: Ballyfin Demesne
• Munster: UNioN Wine Bar & Kitchen
• Connaught: Daróg Wine Bar
• Dublin: Bar Pez
• All Ireland: Bar Pez

Best Customer Service:
• Leinster: Monart
• Connaught: Arno's Bistrot
• Ulster: Noble
• Dublin: Roly's Bistro
• Munster: Restaurant Chestnut
• All Ireland: Restaurant Chestnut

Best World Cuisine:
• Connaught: Mama Rich Woodquay
• Ulster: Chilli Lounge
• Leinster: Tābú
• Munster: Tango Street Food
• Dublin: Rasam Restaurant
• All Ireland: Rasam Restaurant

Best Sustainable Practices:
• Dublin: Glas Restaurant
• Munster: Ballygarry Estate Hotel
• Leinster: Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery
• Connaught: Honestly Farm Kitchen
• Ulster: Lir
• All Ireland: Lir

Innovator of the Year:
• Ulster: Foam
• Connaught: Ugly D's Pizza
• Leinster: Fiona Egan, Cloughan Farm & Cookery School
• Munster: Trawler Boyz Ballycotton
• Dublin: Bar 1661
• All Ireland: Bar 1661

Local Food Hero:
• Leinster: Tom and Laura Sinnott, Wexford Home Preserves
• Munster: Kasha Connolly, Hazel Mountain Chocolate
• Connaught: The Calvey Family, Calveys Achill Mountain Lamb
• Dublin: Jess Kelly, The Village Butcher
• Ulster: Jonny Cuddy, Ispini Charcuterie
• All Ireland: Jonny Cuddy, Ispini Charcuterie

Outstanding Achievement Award:
• All Ireland: Neven Maguire, MacNean House & Restaurant

Best Cocktail Experience:
• All Ireland: Darren Geraghty, Hawksmoor

Food Truck of the Year:
• All Ireland: Julia's Lobster Truck

Best Cookery School:
• All Ireland: Dingle Cookery School

Best Learning and Development:
• All Ireland: O'Dwyers