Previous Winners

Pictured L-R: Gerald Baton and Margaret Beskri (La Cave Wine Bar)

The judges said:

"The Wine List at La Cave is a comprehensive tour through the very best wines available in Ireland. It offers exceptional value, is accurate to a fault, easy to comprehend and clearly projects the owners’ love of wine."

Pictured L-R: Damien Joyce (Lowry’s Bar) and Mark Kelly (Madison Publications)

The judges said:

"This bar encompasses the best of Connemara hospitality, combined with great service and regular traditional music sessions, making this authentic Irish bar a must visit venue."

Pictured: Tom Hogan (Matt the Thresher) and Mark Kelly (Madison Publications)

The judges said:

"What singled Matt the Thresher out was the consistency, over many years now, of the range of the seafood offering and the appeal to tourists as well as locals."

Pictured L-R: Juha Salo (The Legal Eagle) and Rathnam Girdhari (TechPros/IXI)

The judges said:

"From menus that offer a mix of classic dishes and exciting new ideas, to the award-winning wine list, The Legal Eagle is taking the idea of gastropubs into a welcome new realm."

Pictured L-R: Ciaran McGill, Andrew Scott (One Pico) and Rathnam Girdhari (TechPros/IXI)

The judges said:

"Dining at this restaurant is a tranquil and elegant experience, heightened by the excellent guidance of sommelier Arnaud Legat through what is an extensive and clever wine list."

Pictured L-R: Lucius Farrell (No.27 Bar & Lounge at The Shelbourne Hotel) and Mark Kelly (Madison Publications)

The judges said:

"This bar has been an institution for what feels like forever, and continues to be a place for hotel residents and locals alike to meet, hang out and compare stories."

Pictured L-R: Patrick O’Flaherty (Ballynahinch Castle Hotel) and Sineád Nolan (Checkout)

The judges said:

"A stay at Ballynahinch is one of the true getaway joys of this country. Between the world-class fishing, stunning grounds and charming atmosphere with welcoming fires, this is somewhere that guests can truly unwind and recharge."

Pictured L-R: Sarah White, Claire Sawier (Bookassist), Karl Byrne (The Westbury)

The judges said:

"This gorgeous hotel features wonderful bedrooms as well as a busy bar and spacious, elegant lounge, and demonstrates an impressive ability to deliver hospitality."

Pictured L-R: Alan Vallely (Ashford Castle) with Claire Sawier, (Bookassist)

The judges said:

"It is small wonder that Ashford Castle has been internationally recognised as one of the finest hotels in the world.

The love, care and investment on the part of the Tollman family are evident in every aspect of this magnificent hotel."

Pictured L-R: Kamila Kerner, Linda Dohan (Cliff House Hotel) and Sinéad Nolan (Checkout)

The judges said:

"The food at the House Restaurant is at the very forefront of everything that is best about Irish cuisine."

Pictured L-R: Fabrice O'Higgins (Bastible) and Sinéad Nolan (Checkout)

The judges said:

"In this very pleasant and contemporary dining room, Barry Fitzgerald and Claire-Marie Thomas have created food that is exciting, innovative and impressively well-priced."

Pictured L-R: Guy Stewart, Nicolle Souza (The Ivy Dublin) and Hannah Wrixon (Get the Shifts)

The judges said:

"Having quickly established itself as a success on the Dublin dining scene, The Ivy offers a dynamic and impressive mixture of glamour, good design and strong, well-priced food."

Pictured L-R: Pat O’Sullivan (Masterchefs Hospitality at Thomond Park), Leonora Quirke and Hannah Wrixon (Get the Shifts)

The judges said:

"Masterchefs are now 10 years operating all hospitality facilities at Thomond Park where they cater for approx 1,200 corporate meals."

Pictured L-R: Marco Statella (Italicatessen) and Maev Martin (Checkout)

The judges said:

"This is the second year that Italicatessen has won this award, which is a testament to how well this company cares for its customers."

Pictured L-R: Carl D’Alton, Andy Ferreira (Cask) and Alan O’Brien (Madison Publications)

The judges said:

"Cask’s menu changes every 12 weeks, so there is constant freshness and innovation. Because of this, there is also a seasonality of ingredients that expands customers’ horizons."

Pictured L-R: Kevin Brennan (Conrad Dublin) and Shane Deasy (Connect2Fi)

The judges said:

"First opened in 1989, this Dublin institution has been serving the city’s business community wonderfully for almost three decades now."

Pictured L-R: Rosalie Delany (InterContinental) and Cillian Tyrrell (Connect2Fi)

The judges said:

"The InterContinental’s ability to host a large audience in two rooms simultaneously allows full flexibility for major events."

Pictured L-R: Alan O'Brien (Madison Publications) and Michelle Normoyle (The Absolute Hotel Limerick)

The judges said:

"This well-run establishment offers well designed rooms and attentive customer service, providing a welcome base in Limerick at a consistently excellent price point."

Pictured L-R: Bill Chawke, (The Chawke Group) Alan O’Brien (Madison Publications), Ali Chawke (The Chawke Group)

The judges said:

"Charlie and his hard-working family might just have the best-trained bar staff in the country, and that is something that their many customers value enormously."

Pictured L-R: Chad Gugliotta (64 Wine) and Mark Kelly (Madison Publications)

The judges said:

"This Glasthule gem has done well expanding its food offering in the evenings, and there is a constant level of busyness at this quaint wine bar that is set within one of the country’s excellent wine shops."

Pictured L-R: Bill Chawke (Searsons) and Mark Kelly (Madison Publications)

The judges said:

"Searsons continues to operate with all its usual composure and fine customer service, even when full to capacity on busy match days."

Pictured L-R: Marie-Theŕese de Blacam (Inis Meaín Restaurant & Suites) and Mark Kelly (Madison Publications)

The judges said:

"The continuing delight of Inis Meaín Restaurant is a very special combination of the stunning location on the Aran islands with the remarkable integrity of the food."

Pictured L-R: Kassie Coneely, Evan Ryan (Everleigh Garden) and Adrian Murphy (Hospitality Ireland)

The judges said:

"This recently refurbished Harcourt Street hotspot continues to offer broad appeal and remains at the forefront of nightlife in the city."

Pictured L-R: Tiago Jose de Olivera, Conor Kilkenny, (Koh Restaurant), Adrian Murphy (Hospitality Ireland) and Jay Jugdewo (Koh Restaurant)

The judges said:

"Koh is a sleek and stylish restaurant, serving really delicious Asian food and cocktails, with a dedication to customer service that is a huge part of their appeal."

Pictured L-R: Shane O’Dwyer, David McConvey (Zozimus) and Adrian Murphy (Hospitality Ireland)

The judges said:

"Zozimus boasts a combination of contemporary design and a strong food and wine list, as well as a strong focus on cocktails, coupled with live DJ sets and a city centre location."

Pictured L-R: Sarah White (Doyle Collection) and Emily Hourican (Hospitality Ireland)

The judges said:

"The Doyle Collection has created a portfolio of beautiful hotels that all demonstrate the same ethos, and has succeeded in building a team of staff who share its beliefs."

Pictured L-R: Michael Brennan (The Europe Hotel) and Alan O’Brien (Madison Publications)

The judges said:

"The many visitors who come back to The Europe year after year are drawn by the location and superb spa facilities as well as the all-important consistency."

Pictured L-R: Alan O'Brien (Madison Publications) and Kim O’Driscoll (DeVille’s)

The judges said:

"David and Kim O’Driscoll have created a sophisticated bistro that combines a superb wine list with consistently good food and a welcoming atmosphere."

Pictured L-R: Hugh Murray (Classic Drinks) and Maev Martin (Checkout)

The judges said:

"Very well done to Classic Drinks. This is one of which to be rightly proud, and shows that Classic Drinks is getting it very right in the opinion of its customers."

Pictured L-R: Ben Taylor (Pallas Foods), Maev Martin (Checkout) and Trevor Boyle (Pallas Foods)

The judges said:

"Bravo to Pallas. This company is clearly doing an excellent job for which its customers are no doubt extremely grateful."

Pictured L-R: Joe O’Flynn (Rathsallagh House), Alan O’Brien (Madison Publications), and Sara O'Flynn (Rathsallagh House)

The judges said:

"Rathsallagh House offers a winning combination of a charming, old-world setting, with its walled gardens, expansive natural surroundings and delicious food, and a professional, exemplary and dynamic dedicated service."