Louth winners in Leinster Regional Irish Restaurant Awards 2025 announced

The very best of the food and hospitality sector in Louth were honoured last night at the Irish Restaurant Awards Leinster Regional Final 2025, marking the first regional event of this year’s prestigious awards season. The ceremony took place at the Killashee Hotel, Kildare, where county winners from across the province were revealed.

Over 1000 attendees gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of restaurants, cafés and food service providers across Leinster. Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received nearly 165,000 public nominations this year, submitted through The Irish Times - the official media partner of the awards. 

The Louth winners for each category are as follows:

• Best Restaurant – Sponsored by San Miguel - Square Restaurant
• Best Chef - Sponsored by BWG Food Service - Brendan Mulligan, The Spotted Dog
• Best Restaurant Manager - Sponsored by Elavon - Aine Stanley, Square Restaurant
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Sponsored by Frylite - Scholars Townhouse Hotel
• Best Use of Social Media - Rocksalt Cafe
• Employee Excellence Award - Sponsored by Peninsula - Sarah McGarry, The Bay Tree Restaurant
• Best Casual Dining - Sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace - The Valley Inn
• Best Gastro Pub - Sponsored by Paynt - The Glyde Inn
• Best Café - Strandfield
• Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine - Sponsored by FBD Insurance - Number One Jocelyn Bistro
• Best Newcomer - Sponsored by Square - The Cathedral Restaurant
• Pub of the Year - Sponsored by istil.38 - Sarsfields Bar
• Best Wine Experience - Sponsored by Bibendum - No. 3 Winebar & Restaurant
• Best Customer Service - Sponsored by Restaurant-insurance.ie provided by Dolmen - Social Bar and Restaurant
• Best World Cuisine - Sally Cinnamons
• Best Sustainable Practices - Sponsored by Familia Torres - The Gateway Hotel
• Innovator of the Year - Sponsored by Diageo - Mo Chara
• Local Food Hero - Sponsored by Sugar Snap - Adam Murray, Biddo's Street Food

Speaking at the ceremony, Seán Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said: "Tonight is about recognising the outstanding efforts of those who bring Ireland’s culinary reputation to life every day. In a challenging business environment, it is more important than ever to honour the people whose hard work, passion and creativity shape our hospitality sector." 

"The Leinster Regional Final once again showcased the incredible talent and innovation that define this region’s culinary landscape. I want to extend my congratulations to all the winners and nominees. It is their hard work that makes Ireland’s food scene truly exceptional."

Following the completion of all regional finals, the Regional and All-Ireland Winners will be announced at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 19th, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. County winners from Leinster can now secure their tickets for this highly anticipated event.