The very best in food and hospitality across Munster were celebrated last night at the Irish Restaurant Awards Munster Regional Final 2026, the second regional celebration of this year’s awards programme.
The Awards were held at the Strand Hotel, Limerick, where county winners from throughout the province were announced.
More than 600 guests attended to recognise the achievements of restaurants, cafés and hospitality businesses operating across Munster.
Now in its 17th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards attracted over 150,000 public nominations, submitted via The Irish Times, the official media partner.
Once all regional finals conclude, both Regional and All Ireland winners will be revealed at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 18th at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. County winners from Munster are now invited to secure tickets for the national ceremony.
Addressing attendees, Seán Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said:
“Culinary tourism is receiving renewed attention across Ireland, and events like this highlight the role our restaurants play within that. Restaurants are at the heart of communities and local employment, but they also form a central part of the experience that visitors come to Ireland to enjoy. The Irish Restaurant Awards recognise the talent, innovation and high standards that continue to shape Ireland’s reputation as a destination for great food.”
“These awards represent more than individual recognition. They highlight the strong connection between hospitality businesses and Ireland’s wider tourism offering. By recognising excellence at county and regional level, we continue to build a vibrant food culture that attracts visitors, supports local producers and sustains employment throughout the country. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners whose work makes that possible.”
Please find below the full list of this year’s county winners from Munster:
Best Restaurant – Sponsored by American Express
- Clare: Homestead Cottage
- Cork: Restaurant Chestnut
- Kerry: Mulchay’s
- Tipperary: Chez Hans
- Waterford: Everett’s Restaurant
- Limerick: 1826 Adare
Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Food Service
- Clare: Cezary Sodel, Oar Restaurant and Rooms
- Cork: Ahmet Dede, Dede at The Customs House Baltimore
- Kerry: Gary Fitzgerald, Vendricks Restaurant
- Tipperary: Stefan McEnteer, The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
- Waterford: Luis Martin, Mara
- Limerick: Michael Tweedie, The Oak Room at Adare Manor
Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Paynt
- Clare: Linda Casey, The Old Lodge Gastro Pub at Shannon Springs
- Cork: Barbara Nealon, Saint Francis Provisions
- Kerry: Laura Mulcahy, Mulcahy’s
- Tipperary: James Lyons, Matt The Thresher Inn
- Waterford: Kamila Bystrzonowska, Momo
- Limerick: Elaine Hourigan, 1826 Adare
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant
- Clare: The Dining Room at Gregans Castle Hotel in the Burren
- Cork: Rare at Blue Haven Hotel
- Kerry: The Lake Restaurant at the Lake Hotel
- Tipperary: The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
- Waterford: Hanoras Cottage
- Limerick: The Oak Room at Adare Manor
Employee Excellence – Sponsored by Peninsula
- Clare: Margaret Morgan, Gate 96 at Temple Gate Hotel
- Cork: Ciara O Shea, Caseys Bar & Restaurant
- Kerry: Paul Collins, Kingstons Boutique Hotel & Pub
- Tipperary: Geraldine O’Donnell, Lava Rock
- Waterford: Jennifer Walsh, La Alegria Cafe
- Limerick: Chelsea Cahill, Savoy Bar
Best Use of Social Media
- Clare: Russell’s Seafood Bar at Fiddle + Bow Hotel
- Cork: The Lifeboat Inn
- Kerry: Danú at The Brehon Hotel & Angsana Spa
- Tipperary: Rivesci
- Waterford: The Olive Cafe
- Limerick: 101 Limerick
Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace
- Clare: The Ivy Cottage
- Cork: O’Mahony’s of Watergrasshill
- Kerry: Bianconi
- Tipperary: O’Neills Bistro
- Waterford: Farmgate
- Limerick: The French Table Restaurant
Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by National Chef de Partie Apprenticeship & National Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programmes
- Clare: Tulsi
- Cork: Miyazaki
- Kerry: Kyoto Japanese Restaurant
- Tipperary: Ranna Ghor Indian Restaurant
- Waterford: Mezze
- Limerick: Jasmine Palace Restaurant
Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Hendersons Foodservice
- Clare: Linnane’s Lobster Bar
- Cork: O’Sullivans Bar, Crookhaven
- Kerry: McMunns Bar
- Tipperary: Goosers Bar & Eating House
- Waterford: Merrys Gastro Pub
- Limerick: The Curragower Bar and Kitchen
Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance
- Clare: Aileens Restaurant at Armada Hotel
- Cork: Goldie
- Kerry: Solas Tapas & Wine
- Tipperary: Chez Hans
- Waterford: The Pier Restaurant
- Limerick: The East Room Restaurant at Plassey House
Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square
- Clare: Box & Bean
- Cork: Azure Harbour Bistro
- Kerry: 505
- Tipperary: The Mill Pantry
- Waterford: Sunset Orange
- Limerick: Eleven 14 Coffee Roasters
Pub of the Year
- Clare: Taylor’s Bar
- Cork: An Spailpín Fánach
- Kerry: Dan Foley’s Pub
- Tipperary: Jim O’ The Mills
- Waterford: J. & K. Walsh Victorian Spirit Grocer
- Limerick: Tom Collins’ Bar
Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum
- Clare: Henry’s Bistro & Wine Bar
- Cork: MacCurtain Wine Cellar
- Kerry: The Falls Restaurant at Sheen Falls Lodge
- Tipperary: The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel
- Waterford: Union Wine Bar & Kitchen
- Limerick: The Copper Room
Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie provided by Dolmen
- Clare: Noel’s at The Manor at Bunratty Manor
- Cork: The Glass Curtain
- Kerry: Allie’s Coffee Shop
- Tipperary: Cahir House Hotel
- Waterford: Molly’s
- Limerick: The Bedford Restaurant at The Bedford Townhouse
Best Café – Sponsored by Illy
- Clare: Sweet N Green
- Cork: Grumpy Bakers – Cork City
- Kerry: Willow
- Tipperary: No Filter
- Waterford: Cass & Co.
- Limerick: Café Rosé
Best Sustainable Practices
- Clare: Hotel Doolin
- Cork: Good Day Deli
- Kerry: Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa
- Tipperary: Cloughjordan House
- Waterford: Dún Artisan Bakery
- Limerick: Woodlands House Hotel & Spa
Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo
- Clare: Armada Hotel
- Cork: The Flour Patch
- Kerry: Killarney Urban Farm X The Tan Yard – Tour & Taste Experience
- Tipperary: Rivesci
- Waterford: Slow and Steady
- Limerick: The Olive Tree
Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap Agency
- Clare: John Gavin, The Old Lodge Gastro Pub at Shannon Springs Hotel
- Cork: Mike Parle and Darcie Mayland, Lost Valley Dairy + Creamery
- Kerry: Zaneta Labuz-Czerwien, Rustic Boowa
- Tipperary: Peter Ward, Country Choice Nenagh
- Waterford: Eunice Power, Waterford Festival of Food
- Limerick: John Edwards Joyce, The Mustard Seed Country House & Restaurant