Donegal restaurants enjoyed great success at The Ulster Regional Final of Irish Restaurant Awards 2023 last night.
Many well-known restaurateurs of Ulster gathered to hear the regional winner announcements at Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan on Tuesday.
Now in their 14th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards had a record breaking number of public nominations (over 130,000). The support was hailed as an appreciation by the general public for our hospitality sector.
The Olde Glen Bar was one of the big winners (pictured above), picking up the title of Best Restaurant in Donegal and Best Chef for Ciaran Sweeney.
Chef Chris Molloy of The Lemon Tree Letterkenny was crowned Donegal’s Local Food Hero.
Rathmullan House won double, with the Donegal award for Best Sustainable Practices and Best Customer Service.
Innovator of the Year (Donegal) went to the Bluestack Shack.
Chandpur Restaurant in Donegal Town scooped the ‘Free From’ award.
Also in Donegal Town, La Bella Donna won Best World Cuisine.
The Narrow Quarter in Kerrykeel was awarded the Donegal prize for Best Emerging Irish Cuisine.
Orhan Enric at Harveys Point was crowned Donegal’s Best Restaurant Manager. Harvey’s Point also won Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant.
Photo by Paul Sherwood
Fisk in Downings scooped the ‘Best Wine Experience’ prize for Donegal.
Photo by Paul Sherwood
Thyme Out won Donegal’s Best Cafe.
Best Newcomer in Donegal was the Curry Cottage, now open in Stranorlar.
Curry Cottage. Photo by Paul Sherwood
The Forge in Donegal Town was named as Donegal’s Pub of the Year. Their neighbours at the Olde Castle Bar won Best Gastro Pub.
Andersons Boathouse Restaurant and Accommodation in Killybegs won Best Casual Dining.
All of the county winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards All Ireland Final on Monday 15th May in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin 4. The
