The best restaurant in Ireland has been decided at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2019.
This year, the award is off to Loam in Galway (pictured above).
After months of regional rounds, voting and judging, the overall national winners were announced in Dublin last night.
Loam Restaurant in Galway claimed the All-Ireland Best Restaurant title. Dax Restaurant’s (Dublin) Graham Neville took the overall Best Chef award. Waterford’s Everett’s Restaurant took the title for Best Newcomer.
In my own neck of the woods, I’m delighted to see Truffles pick up the Leinster title for Best Casual Dining (having only eaten there at the weekend).
Barrows Keep in Graiguenamanagh/Tinnahinch picked up Leinster’s Best Wine Experience with the Knockdrinna Café taking the café award for the region.
Irish Restaurant Awards 2019: The Winners
If you’re looking for new places to try this year, these names might give you a guide. Check the names for links to restaurant sites and bookings.
Best Restaurant in Ireland
- All-Ireland: Loam Restaurant, Galway
- Dublin: Dax Restaurant, Pembroke Street Upper
- Connaught: Loam Restaurant, Galway
- Leinster: Eastern Seaboard Bar & Grill, Drogheda
- Munster: Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna
- Ulster: OX, Belfast
Best Chef
- All-Ireland: Graham Neville of Dax Restaurant
- Dublin: Graham Neville of Dax Restaurant
- Connaught: Barry Ralph of House of Plates
- Leinster: Deirdre Adamson of The Fatted Calf
- Munster: Peter Everett of Everett’s Restaurant
- Ulster: Chris McGowan of Wine and Brine
Best Restaurant Manager
- All-Ireland: Eva Ivanova of Sage Restaurant
- Dublin: Denise McBrien of The Old Spot
- Connaught: Eva Ivanova of Sage Restaurant
- Leinster: Edwina Hynes of La Côte Seafood Restaurant
- Munster: John Edward Joyce of The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge
- Ulster: Saul McConnell of NOBLE.
Pub of the Year
- All-Ireland: Doheny and Nesbitt
- Dublin: Doheny and Nesbitt
- Connaught: J Doherty’s
- Leinster: Hamilton’s Pub
- Munster: Levis Corner House
- Ulster: Coach House & Olde Bar
Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant
- All-Ireland: Gregans Castle Hotel
- Dublin: The Saddle Room at The Shelbourne Hotel
- Connaught: West Restaurant at the Twelve Hotel
- Leinster: Brabazon Restaurant at Tankardstown House
- Munster: Gregans Castle Hotel
- Ulster: Newforge House
Best Newcomer
- All-Ireland: Everett’s Restaurant
- Dublin: Uno Mas, Aungier Street
- Connaught: Passione by the Slice, Sligo
- Leinster: Lily’s On Church Street, Wicklow
- Munster: Everett’s Restaurant, Waterford
- Ulster: Hara, Hillsborough
Best Gastro Pub
- All-Ireland: The Old Spot
- Dublin: The Old Spot
- Connaught: Bar One
- Leinster: The Ballymore Inn
- Munster: Mikey Ryan’s Bar and Kitchen
- Ulster: Clenaghans
Best Customer Service
- All-Ireland: The Muddlers Club
- Dublin: Luna
- Connaught: Park House Hotel
- Leinster: LENNONS @ Visual
- Munster: Ballyvolane House
- Ulster: The Muddlers Club
Best Casual Dining
- All-Ireland: 777
- Dublin: 777
- Connaught: HOOKED Sligo
- Leinster: Truffles Restaurant and Wine Bar
- Munster: Bodega
- Ulster: The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant and Tea Room
Best Wine Experience
- All-Ireland: Green Man Wines
- Dublin: Green Man Wines
- Connaught: Le Petit Pois
- Leinster: Barrows Keep
- Munster: The Black Pig
- Ulster: OX
Best Kids Size Me
- All-Ireland: Old Street Restaurant
- Dublin: Old Street Restaurant
- Connaught: Shells Seaside Bakery and Café
- Leinster: Tiffin by Sunil
- Munster: 9 Café
- Ulster: Oak Room Restaurant
Best World Cuisine
- All-Ireland: 3 Leaves
- Dublin: 3 Leaves
- Connaught: Spice India
- Leinster: Pink Salt Indian Restaurant
- Munster: Iyer’s
- Ulster: Tuk Tuk Asian Bistro
Best Café
- All-Ireland: Connemara Greenway Café & Restaurant
- Dublin: Two Pups
- Connaught: Connemara Greenway Café & Restaurant
- Leinster: Knockdrinna Farm Shop & Artisan Café
- Munster: Good Day Deli
- Ulster: Dinkin’s Home Bakery & Café
Best Free From
- All-Ireland: GROW HQ
- Dublin: Urbanity
- Connaught: Drumanilra Farm Kitchen
- Leinster: Zucchini’s Restaurant
- Munster: GROW HQ
- Ulster: The Olde Post Inn
Local Food Hero
- All-Ireland: Seán Hussey of Hussey & Sons Fruit & Veg
- Dublin: Seán Hussey of Hussey & Sons Fruit & Veg
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine
- All-Ireland: 35 Restaurant
- Dublin: Forest & Marcy
- Connaught: An Port Mór Restaurant
- Leinster: Thyme Restaurant
- Munster: 35 Restaurant
- Ulster: Wine and Brine
Best Digital Marketing
- All-Ireland: Michael’s Mount Merrion
Best Cookery School
- All-Ireland: The Neven Maguire Cookery School
Best Private Dining & Club Restaurant
- All-Ireland: Stephens Green Hibernian Club
Best Seafood Experience
- All-Ireland: Fish Shop, Benburb Street
Best Cocktail Experience
- All-Ireland: The Tack Room at Adare Manor
To go back over the county and regional winners this year, check the list of best Irish restaurants here.
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