The Ulster Regional Final of the Irish Restaurant Awards took place in The Main Hall at The Guildhall, Derry last night and named the top restaurants in the nine counties for 2016. Over 500 restaurant owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the awards, which saw many well-known restaurateurs of Ulster turn out to see if they had won one of the prestigious awards.
Speaking at the awards, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins said; “The Irish Restaurant Awards celebrate their eighth year this year and have become the Island’s biggest food awards. The credibility that these awards have is reflected in the amount of nominations they received this year – over 70,000 individual nominations were cast across fourteen categories, showing that these are the awards that everyone wants to win.
The Irish restaurant scene is internationally recognised for its high calibre of restaurateurs and chefs. These awards celebrate the people that make the restaurant sector the dynamic and exciting industry it is. They are the people who provide 72,000 jobs to our economy and generate revenue in excess of €2 billion. We’re recognising the talent, hard work and commitment that everyone here gives to the food industry. Tonight, everyone is a winner.”
TheTaste are proud sponsors of the Best Customer Service award for the second year running. The other categories were Best Gastro Pub, Best Casual Dining, Best Hotel Restaurant, Best Chef, Best Restaurant, Best Wine Experience, Best Restaurant Manager, Best Kids Size Me, Local Food Hero, Best Emerging Irish Cuisine and Best Newcomer as well as two new main award categories – Best Café and Best World Cuisine.
All County winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Title which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards in the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, Dublin on Monday 16th May, 2016.
Best Restaurant – Sponsored by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits and Astoria Wines
– Antrim – The Muddlers Club
– Armagh – Uluru Bistro
– Cavan – MacNean House & Restaurant
– Derry – Browns Restaurant & Champagne Lounge
– Donegal – Harry’s Restaurant
– Down – The Boat House
– Fermanagh – Watermill Restaurant
– Monaghan – Courthouse Restaurant
– Tyrone – The Red Pepper
Best Chef – Sponsored by La Rousse Foods
– Antrim – David Gillmore of James Street South
– Armagh – John Mathers of Newforge House
– Cavan – Neven Maguire of MacNean House & Restaurant
– Derry – Roly Graham of Church Street Restaurant
– Donegal – Colin McKee of Harvey’s Point
– Down – Danny Millar of Balloo House
– Fermanagh – Noel McMeel of Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Resort
– Monaghan – Conor Mee of Courthouse Restaurant
– Tyrone – Brian McMonagle of The Brewer’s House
Best Hotel Restaurant – Sponsored by Elavon
– Antrim – The River Room at Galgorm Resort & Spa
– Armagh – Newforge House
– Cavan – The Courtroom Restaurant at Cabra Castle
– Derry – Ardmore Restaurant at Beech Hill Country House Hotel
– Donegal – Harvey’s Restaurant at Harvey’s Point
– Down – The Salty Dog Hotel & Bistro
– Fermanagh – Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Resort
– Monaghan – Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie
– Tyrone – The Kitchen Restaurant at Tullylagan Country House Hotel
Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by San Pellegrino
– Antrim – The Ginger Bistro
– Armagh – 4 Vicars
– Cavan – The Oak Room Restaurant
– Derry – Harry’s Shack
– Donegal – The Harbour Restaurant
– Down – The Dirty Duck
– Fermanagh – Dollakis
– Monaghan – Porky’s Restaurant
– Tyrone – Oysters Restaurant
Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Bunzl McLaughlin
– Antrim – Sweet Afton Bar & Kitchen
– Armagh – The Yellow Heifer
– Cavan – Murphs Bistro at The Derragarra Inn
– Derry – Walled City Brewery
– Donegal – The Village Tavern
– Down – The Poacher’s Pocket
– Fermanagh – Molly’s Bar & Parlour Restaurant
– Monaghan – The Old Coach Inn
– Tyrone – The Brewer’s House
Best Newcomer – Sponsored by BWG Foodservice
– Antrim – The Muddlers Club
– Armagh – Wine & Brine
– Cavan – n/a
– Derry – Walled City Brewery
– Donegal – Blas
– Down – The Wheathill
– Fermanagh – The Happiness Trap
– Monaghan – n/a
– Tyrone – Chapter V Restaurant
Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Classic Drinks & Masottina
– Antrim – OX Cave
– Armagh – Uluru Bistro
– Cavan – Oak Room Restaurant
– Derry – Browns Restaurant & Champagne Lounge
– Donegal – Castle Murray House Hotel & Restaurant
– Down – The Boat House
– Fermanagh – Café Merlot
– Monaghan – The Batch Loaf
– Tyrone – The Brewer’s House
Best Customer Service – Sponsored by TheTaste.ie
– Antrim – The Great Room Restaurant at The Merchant Hotel
– Armagh – The Moody Boar
– Cavan – MacNean House & Restaurant
– Derry – Browns in Town
– Donegal – Chandpur Indian Restaurant
– Down – Kilmorey Arms Hotel
– Fermanagh – Dollakis
– Monaghan – The Restaurant at Nuremore Hotel & Country Club
– Tyrone – Black Cat Restaurant
Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by Arnotts – Keelings Farm Fresh
– Antrim – DinaDina
– Armagh – Shapla
– Cavan – Sophia’s Ristorante
– Derry – Taaj Restaurant & Lounge
– Donegal – Chandpur Indian Restaurant
– Down – Koi Asian Cuisine
– Fermanagh – Dollakis
– Monaghan – Eastern Balti
– Tyrone – Dragon Garden
Best Cafe – Sponsored by Aryzta Food Solutions
– Antrim – Harlem Café
– Armagh – One Eighty
– Cavan – The Hard Boiled Egg Café
– Derry – Lost & Found
– Donegal – Aroma Café
– Down – Niki’s Kitchen Café
– Fermanagh – The Jolly Sandwich
– Monaghan – Roberto’s Coffee Shop
– Tyrone – The Moy Larder
Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants
– Antrim – Alain Kerloc’h of OX
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by Odaios Foods
– Antrim – Holohan’s at the Barge
Best Kids Size Me – Sponsored by Heinz
– Antrim – Upstairs @ Joes
Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Rewarding Times
– Antrim – Robert Curley of Slemish Market Supper Club