Connaught winners of the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026

County winners from across the region of Connaught were announced at the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards Leinster Regional Final on Tuesday, 31 March at the Knockranny House Hote. More than 600 guests attended to recognise the achievements of restaurants, cafés and hospitality businesses operating across Connaught. Now in its 17th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards attracted over 150,000 public nominations, submitted via The Irish Times. Once all regional finals conclude, both Regional and All-Ireland winners will be revealed at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, 18 May at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. County winners from Leinster are now invited to secure tickets for the national ceremony. The full list of this year's Connaught winners: Best Restaurant - Sponsored by American Express Galway: LignumLeitrim: The Cottage RestaurantRoscommon: The Old Stone House RestaurantSligo: Eala BhánMayo: An Port Mór Restaurant Best Chef - Sponsored by BWG Food Service Galway: Angelo Vagiotis, The Pullman Restaurant at Glenlo AbbeyLeitrim: Mario Raise, The CourthouseRoscommon: Sinead Toolan, My Kitchen By Sham HanifaSligo: Dave Mullan, Fish & BeanMayo: Shteryo Yurukov, Sage Restaurant Best Restaurant Manager - Sponsored by Paynt Galway: Mathieu Teulier, Blackrock CottageLeitrim: Lorraine McHugh, The SelkieRoscommon: Navrish Audit, Keenan's Hotel Bar & RestaurantSligo: Angela Davis, Davis' Restaurant & Yeats TavernMayo: John Nevin, Nevin’s Newfield Inn Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant Galway: The Pullman Restaurant at Glenlo AbbeyLeitrim: Sandstone Restaurant at Lough Rynn CastleRoscommon: Kilronan CastleSligo: Markree CastleMayo: The Lodge at Ashford Castle Employee Excellence – Sponsored by Peninsula Galway: Rafael Jesus, Chef Laura Rosso RestaurantLeitrim: Catherine Rooney, The Red Bank RestaurantRoscommon: Theresa Donlon, Hester’s Golden Eagle Bar & RestaurantSligo: Max Stafford, Lyons Café and BakeshopMayo: Jason Moyles, The Cot and Cobble Best Use Of Social Media Galway: The Dough BrosLeitrim: White Wombat CoffeeRoscommon: Maki SushiSligo: OttoMayo: Infused Cocktail & Wine Bar Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace Galway: Mitchell’s RestaurantLeitrim: The SelkieRoscommon: The Purple Onion KitchenSligo: Honestly Farm Kitchen StrandhillMayo: Friends Bistro Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by National Chef de Partie Apprenticeship & National Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programmes Galway: Kombu – Ramen & Bao BarLeitrim: Shudh Indian RestaurantRoscommon: Maki SushiSligo: Bella & Brava RestaurantMayo: La Casa Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Hendersons Foodservice Galway: Coyne’s Gastropub & PantryLeitrim: The OarsmanRoscommon: Regan’s Gastro Pub & RestaurantSligo: Austies Pub & KitchenMayo: JJ O’Malleys Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by FBD Insurance Galway: Blackthorn at The Twelve HotelLeitrim: The Red Bank RestaurantRoscommon: Regan’s Gastro Pub & RestaurantSligo: Hooked ~Mayo: Poacher Restaurant Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Square Galway: Fawn Food & WineLeitrim: White Wombat CoffeeRoscommon: Cox’s Bistro and CaféSligo: Miss Suzy SligoMayo: Daniel’s Kitchen & Bar Pub Of The Year Galway: Tigh NeachtainLeitrim: MJ O’Connor PubRoscommon: CoffeysSligo: Hopkins BarMayo: McDonnells Bar & Undertakers Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Bibendum Galway: Daróg Wine BarLeitrim: Di Vino Italian RestaurantRoscommon: The Old Stone House RestaurantSligo: Hargadon BrosMayo: George V at Ashford Castle Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Restaurant-Insurance.ie provided by Dolmen Galway: Foyles HotelLeitrim: Buffalo BoyRoscommon: Abbey HotelSligo: Harrisons Bar & RestaurantMayo: Arno’s Bistrot Best Cafe – Sponsored by Illy Galway: The Kylemore KitchenLeitrim: Jackalope Café at The Shed DistilleryRoscommon: Rogue & Co CaféSligo: Tank & Skinny’sMayo: Baker 51 Best Sustainable Practices Galway: KaiLeitrim: Honestly Farm KitchenRoscommon: My Kitchen By Sham HanifaSligo: Shells CaféMayo: The Creel, Castlebar Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Diageo Galway: Builín Blasta Café & BakeryLeitrim: The Boat House Café at Cryans HotelRoscommon: Zunu BakehouseSligo: Waxies SligoMayo: Foxford Café Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Sugar Snap Agency Galway: Brian Dilleen, Mad Yolk FarmLeitrim: Liam and Justina Gavin, Honestly Farm KitchenRoscommon: Benny O’Connell, Benny’s DeliSligo: Helen Mulholland & Ollie Alcorn, Hawks Rock DistilleryMayo: Cillian Ó Móráin & Bart Adons, Mescan Brewery

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