Show summary Hide summary
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud has been named Best Restaurant at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026, an event that drew more than 150,000 public nominations and a strong field of regional finalists. The ceremony also recognised chefs, pubs and cafés across the country, and honoured long-serving operators for their contribution to Ireland’s food scene.
Top prizes and notable finalists
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, the two-Michelin-starred Dublin establishment, topped the list after a competitive regional final. It beat contenders including Bramley (Abbeyleix), The Cottage Restaurant (Leitrim), Homestead Cottage (Doolin), Clare and Noble (Holywood) and Noble (Down).
What a Sauna Aufguss Felt Like: a steamy wellness ritual with partial nudity
Top Irish fine-dining venue named at Georgina Campbell Awards 2026
The race for Best Chef featured several high-profile names: Dave Mullan (Fish & Bean), Steve Toman (Ox), John Coffey (Thyme) and Ahmet Dede (Dede). In the end, Ahmet Dede took the chef title.
Special recognition and endings
Paul and Máire Flynn of The Tannery received the Outstanding Achievement Award. The couple used the occasion to confirm plans to close The Tannery in January, bringing an end to a well-known chapter in the regional dining scene.
Other headline awards saw Rare at the Blue Haven Hotel named Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant, while Farmgate claimed Best Casual Dining. Belfast’s General Merchants was voted Best Café, and The Cobblestone won Pub of the Year.
Selected category winners
Across categories, winners reflected a range of formats and regions — from food trucks to cocktail bars and cookery schools. Coyne’s Gastropub & Pantry took Best Gastro Pub, Miyazaki was recognised for Best World Cuisine, and Kai won Best Sustainable Practices.
The awards also highlighted front-of-house and behind-the-scenes talent: Carmel Boyle of Ballyfin Demesne was named Best Restaurant Manager, and Thersa Donlon of Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar and Restaurant received the Employee Excellence Award.
Full list of winners
Best Restaurant: Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
Best Chef: Ahmet Dede, Dede
Best Restaurant Manager: Carmel Boyle, Ballyfin Demesne
Outstanding Achievement Award: Paul and Máire Flynn, The Tannery Restaurant, Townhouse and Cookery School
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant: Rare at Blue Haven Hotel
Best Use of Social Media: The Dough Bros, Galway
Employee Excellence Award: Thersa Donlon, Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar and Restaurant
Best Casual Dining: Farmgate
Best Gastro Pub: Coyne’s Gastropub & Pantry
Best Café: General Merchants
Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Solas Tapas & Wine
Best Newcomer: Comet
Pub of the Year: The Cobblestone
Best Wine Experience: 64 Wine
Best Customer Service: Frae
Best World Cuisine: Miyazaki
Best Sustainable Practices: Kai
Innovator of the Year: Mr Fox Whiskey
Local Food Hero: Eunice Power, Waterford Festival of Food
Best Cocktail Experience: Roge Austin, Vintage Cocktail Club
Food Truck of the Year: Misunderstood Heron
Best Cookery School: Picado Mexican Pantry
Best Learning and Development: Tifco Hotel Group
