Up and coming Letterkenny restaurant, No. 9 Market Square, has won one of Ireland’s first Blue Ribbon awards from YesChef.
The restaurant by local Chef Brian McMonagle, now open a year, won the Blue Ribbon, awarded at 3 Star Level at Tuesday’s ceremony.
No. 9 also picked up the award for Ireland’s Best Newcomer of 2025 and the Ulster title of best Irish Culinary Experience.
The YesChef Blue Ribbon has been launched to honour establishments that offer consistently high-quality food at accessible prices. Awarded at three star levels, the Blue Ribbon is a symbol of culinary excellence that doesn’t break the bank — celebrating places where great cooking meets great value. Other winners from across the country were Clontarf Castle Hotel, Lil’s, Oar, Castle Leslie Estate and Mara.
Chef McMonagle tells Donegal Daily: “Securing three stars, a distinction held by only six establishments in the country, is an incredible honour. To then be awarded the overall newcomers award for the entire island and Irish Culinary Experience for Ulster is truly special. I am super happy with this recognition.”
Chef Brian McMonagle picking up the Ulster Irish Culinary Experience Award
Donegal had plenty to celebrate at the 2025 YesChef awards, with many accolades coming home to the hills!
Other top winners in Donegal were Chandpur Indian Restaurant in Donegal Town, which won best Indian Restaurant for 2025, marking yet another certificate for their wall!
Castle Grove Country House in Letterkenny was Highly Commended in the category of Country House Restaurant of the Year.
Chandpur Indian Restaurant
Irene Sweeney from Castle Grove Country House
Biddy’s O’Barnes scooped the Ulster title for Gastro Pub 2025.
Whoriskey’s of Cashelard won the national title of Ireland’s Rising Star 2025.
Redcastle Hotel in Inishowen won the Ulster prize for best Hotel Restaurant.
Old Stone in Donegal Town took home a Highly Commended prize for Best Cafe, with Honeypot Coffee House in Letterkenny winning the Ulster award.
The award for best Vegetarian Menu in Ireland was won by Jackson’s Hotel in Ballybofey.
Jackson’s Hotel – Vegetarian Menu of the Year for all of Ireland at the YesChef Awards!
The YesChef Awards honoured the best of Ireland’s hospitality industry at a glittering celebration of excellence, innovation and culinary talent. Held at The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo, the awards gathered Ireland’s top chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers and industry influencers to recognise the individuals and venues shaping the country’s world-class hospitality scene.
Launching the new “YesChef Blue Ribbon for Great Cooking at Affordable Prices”, Shane Smith, Managing Director said: “It’s our way of celebrating the chefs and teams who prove that outstanding food doesn’t need to come with a premium price. These awards reflect a growing demand for accessibility, without compromising on quality or creativity.”
Tags: