17 LIMERICK food and hospitality businesses were honoured at the Munster finals of the Irish Restaurant Awards 2024.
Representatives from each business will now go forward to represent their brand and county at the national awards at a gala dinner in Dublin in May.
Limerick’s Local Hero title was awarded to Finn Robson of Angel Dust Patisserie and Bakery, based on Thomas Street in Limerick City.
Another city centre business, Mother Mac’s pub, was awarded Limerick’s Innovator of the Year, while Timmy Mac’s Bistro at Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel was awarded in the Best Sustainable Practices category.
Limerick’s Best World Cuisine went to Copper and Spice in Annacotty, while the Treaty’s Best Café went to La Cucina Espresso on the Ballysimon Road.
In the Best Customer Service category, the award for Limerick went to the Silver Room Restaurant in Newcastle West, the Best Wine Experience went to the Copper Room, and Best Newcomer went to The Terrace at the University of Limerick.
1826 in Adare were awarded for Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine, The Curragower got the nod in the Best Gastropub category, and House Limerick were honoured in the category for Best Casual Dining.
Pub of the Year in Limerick went to JJ Bowles, the Employee Excellence Award went to Gary Constable of Collins Bar Dooradoyle, and Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant went to The Oak Room at Adare Manor.
Limerick’s Best Restaurant Manager went to Liz Phelan of Freddy’s Restaurant, while Derek Fitzpatrick of The East Room Restaurant at Plassey House in UL was awarded as Best Chef.
Limerick’s overall Best Restaurant was awarded to 1826 Adare.
This year’s Irish Restaurant Awards received over 160,000 public nominations, the highest amount ever received in the 15 years of the awards.
President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, said: “In these challenging times for our industry, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the resilience and innovation of Munster’s food and hospitality sector.”
“The Munster Regional Irish Restaurant Awards provide an excellent platform to recognise the hard work and dedication of all of the talented restaurant, café, and food-led hospitality staff in the province,” Mr Lenehan said.
