There’s no change to the MICHELIN dining landscape in Kilkenny this year with both city-based Campagne and the Lady Helen restaurant at Mount Juliet retaining their One MICHELIN star status for the year ahead.
The 2025 reveal for the MICHELIN Guide Great Britain and Ireland was held this evening (Monday) at a live event in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow.
While there’s no change on the Kilkenny front, there is change on the Irish side of things, speculation building in recent weeks that we’d be seeing a number of potential changes with a question mark over the Cliff House in Ardmore following the departure of chef Tony Parkin, while Lignum (Galway), Ballyfin Demesne (Laois) and The Morrison Room at Carton House were all touted as potential new entries. The team in Ardmore need not have worried.
Of the speculated changes, one guarantee was The Wild Honey Inn dropping off the list having gone to sale last summer with chef-owner Aidan McGrath hanging up his apron. The first pub in Ireland to pick up a MICHELIN star will no longer feature, but the picks for Danny Africano at Lignum and Adam Nevin at The Morrison Room were spot on. It’s no surprise too that Ballyfin earns its first star for chef Richard Picard-Edwards, the venue having gone straight into 3-Key territory for the new MICHELIN Keys announced last year.
The official release, with a focus on Irish winners, outlines how “The Morrison Room, near Maynooth, impressed the Inspectors not just with its first-rate produce but with the inventiveness of Adam Nevin’s cooking. Further west, Richard Picard-Edwards and his team at Ballyfin provide fittingly brilliant food inside the stunning Ballyfin Demesne hotel – which holds Three MICHELIN Keys. Over in County Galway, LIGИUM has made the leap to Star level thanks to Danny Africano using wood-fired flavours to let his produce really shine.”
In all, 22 restaurants collected their first MICHELIN star across Great Britain and Ireland.
Lignum’s entry this year also makes for the return of a second MICHELIN star restaurant in Galway, joining Aniar, with Loam having closed in 2022. It proved a good night for Galway too with Daróg owner and sommelier Zsolt Lukács collecting the MICHELIN Sommelier award.
Terre at Castlemartyr, dede in Baltimore, Liath and Patrick Guildbaud’s all retained their Two MICHELIN star status and, while hopes were high to see a third MICHELIN star on the Irish scene this year, the wait goes on with forerunner Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen also retaining its two-star status.
There was one new three-star edition with Moor Hall claiming that honour for 2025.
The Guide also welcomed three new Two MICHELIN Star restaurants along with celebrating 36 new Bib Gourmands, two of those in Ireland – Baba’de in Baltimore and Daróg in Galway.
One MICHELIN Star restaurants in Ireland
- Aniar, Galway
- Ballyfin, Laois
- Bastible, Dublin
- Bastion, Kinsale
- Campagne, Kilkenny (City)
- Chestnut, Ballydehob
- D’Olier Street, Dublin
- Glovers Alley, Dublin
- Homestead Cottage, Doolin
- House, Ardmore
- Lady Helen, Kilkenny (Thomastown)
- Lignum, Galway (new for 2025)
- The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Tipperary
- The Morrison Room at Carton House (new for 2025), Maynooth
- The Oak Room, Adare
- Variety Jones, Dublin
Two MICHELIN Star restaurants in Ireland
- Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen, Dublin
- dede, Baltimore
- Liath, Blackrock
- Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin
- Terre, Castlemartyr
Three MICHELIN Star restaurants in Ireland
The wait goes on with no Three MICHELIN Star restaurants, for now at least.
MICHELIN Guide: Campagne, Kilkenny
What does the guide say about Garrett Byrne’s Campagne in Kilkenny city?
“This long-standing restaurant is owned and run by experienced chef Garrett Byrne – who really knows his craft – along with his partner, Brid Hannon, who provides relaxed, friendly service. “
“The modern interior is sleek, with curved banquettes, spot-lit dark wood tables and striking local artwork hanging on the walls. Top quality Irish ingredients are showcased in richly flavoured, classic dishes: you won’t find foams or smears on your plate here – just confidently cooked, skilfully balanced dishes, with exemplary plating, saucing and seasoning.”
MICHELIN Guide: Lady Helen at Mount Juliet, Thomastown
What does the guide say about chef John Kelly and the Lady Helen at Mount Juliet?
“The 1,500-acre Mount Juliet Estate, now housing an impressive country house hotel, is one of the best examples of Georgian architecture in Ireland; it still boasts its original stuccowork and hand-carved marble fireplaces, and its luxurious, high-ceilinged restaurant comes with all the comfort and elegance one would expect.”
“John Kelly’s boldly flavoured, visually impressive dishes are skilfully prepared, underpinned by ingredients from the estate, the county and the coast. The excellent desserts – such as a beautiful hazelnut and chocolate confection – provide a memorable finish.”
Watch it back: MICHELIN Guide UK & Ireland 2025 Reveal
You can also find the entire list of one, two and three MICHELIN star restaurants for Great Britain and Ireland here.
