The very best of the Midlands’ food and hospitality sector were celebrated this week at the Irish Restaurant Awards Leinster Regional Final 2025, kicking off this year’s prestigious awards season. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, March 11th, at the Killashee Hotel, Kildare, where the county winners from across Leinster, including many standout establishments from the Midlands, were revealed. The winners reveal the perfect snapshot of Midlands food – from Michelin stars and contemporary Irish cuisine, to the best pubs, unique flavours from around the world, local food heroes, and more.

With over 1,000 attendees, the event shone a spotlight on the dedication and talent of restaurants, cafés, and food service providers across the region. This year’s awards, now in their 16th year, received an incredible 165,000 public nominations through The Irish Times, the official media partner of the event.

Following the regional finals, all eyes now turn to the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 19th, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin, where the Regional and All-Ireland Winners will be crowned. Leinster’s county winners, including those from Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, and Longford, will now have the chance to compete on a national stage.

Honouring Culinary Passion and Creativity

Speaking at the ceremony, Seán Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, highlighted the importance of recognising excellence in the industry:

“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.”

The food and drink scene in the Midlands continues to go from strength to strength, with its first Michelin star, an ever-growing food tourism scene, and the launch of the Midlands Flavours brand—an initiative that will set out to showcase the very best of the region’s produce. The talent and dedication on display at tonight’s awards are a testament to the Midlands’ growing reputation as a must-visit destination for food lovers.

The Midlands Winners

Best Restaurant Award

• Laois – Bramley, Abbeyleix
• Longford – Jodphur, Longford
• Offaly – Sanjay’s Kitchen, Birr
• Westmeath – Thyme, Athlone

Best Chef

• Laois – Richard Picard-Edwards, Ballyfin Demesne
• Longford – Lisa Vocella, Vocella’s, Longford
• Offaly – Okan Kiraz, The Captain House, Tullamore
• Westmeath – John Coffey, Thyme, Athlone

Best Restaurant Manager

• Laois – Kasia Urban, Bramley, Abbeyleix
• Longford – Amit Prasher, Jodphur, Longford
• Offaly – Sarah Thomas, The Blue Apron, Tullamore
• Westmeath – Antoanela Belvio, Il Colosseo, Athlone

Hotel/Guesthouse Restaurant of the Year

• Laois – Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin
• Longford – PV’s, Longford
• Offaly – Townsend House, Birr
• Westmeath – Glasson Lakehouse, Glasson

Best Casual Dining

• Laois – Bowe’s Foodhall and Café, Durrow
• Longford – Spice India, Longford
• Offaly – JJ Killeen’s, Shannonbridge
• Westmeath – Dead Centre Brewing, Athlone

Best Gastro Pub

• Laois – Treacy’s Pub and Restaurant, The Heath
• Longford – The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule
• Offaly – The Old Warehouse, Tullamore
• Westmeath – The Villager, Glasson

Best Café

• Laois – The Wandering Elk, Portlaoise
• Longford – Ménara Café, Longford
• Offaly – The Foxy Bean, Tullamore
• Westmeath – Bastion Kitchen, Athlone

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine

• Laois – The Hare’s Corner, Mountmellick
• Longford – PV’s Longford
• Offaly – Kelly’s Bar, Birr
• Westmeath – The Left Bank Bistro, Athlone

Best Newcomer

• Laois – La Vie en Rose Patisserie, Durrow
• Longford – Oyama Sushi, Longford
• Offaly – S Café, Tullamore
• Westmeath – The Spiced Bean Café, Mullingar

Pub of the Year

• Laois – Morrissey’s, Abbeyleix
• Longford – Duignan’s Tallyho Bar, Longford
• Offaly – JJ Hough’s Singing Pub, Banagher
• Westmeath – Sean’s Bar, Athlone

Best Wine Experience

• Laois – Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin
• Longford – Vocella’s, Longford
• Offaly – Hackett’s Eatery at The County Arms, Birr
• Westmeath – Mistervini Wine Bar, Mullingar

Best Customer Service

• Laois – Batoni’s, Emo
• Longford – Mac’s Shack, Keenagh
• Offaly – The Brewery Tap, Tullamore
• Westmeath – The Fatted Calf, Athlone

Employee Excellence Award

• Laois – Com Dunne, Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant, The Heath
• Longford – Frances Nugent, Spice India, Longford
• Offaly – Daniela Botnari, Galileo’s Restaurant, Edenderry
• Westmeath – Robert Dasiak, The Fatted Calf

Best Use of Social Media

• Laois – The Make and Mark, Portlaoise
• Longford – The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule
• Offaly – JJ Hough’s Singing Pub, Banagher
• Westmeath – Garrison Coffee Co., Athlone

Best World Cuisine

• Laois – Mayur, Portlaoise
• Longford – Chan Oriental, Longford
• Offaly – Shishir, Tullamore
• Westmeath – Al Mezza Lebanese, Athlone

Best Sustainable Practices

• Laois – Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery, Stradbally
• Longford – Fiona Egan at Cloughan Farm and Cookery School, Abbeyshrule
• Offaly – Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore
• Westmeath – Glasson Glamping Farm, Glasson

Innovator of the Year

• Laois – The Hare’s Corner, Mountmellick
• Longford – Fiona Egan at Cloughan Farm and Cookery School, Abbeyshrule
• Offaly – The Bog’s Dollops Café, Rhode
• Westmeath – The Wholesome Kitchen, Mullingar

Local Food Hero

• Laois – Aymar Gourdet, Le Skinny Chef
• Longford – David and Martina Burns, Richmount Cordials
• Offaly – Orla Clancy, The Organic Kitchen at Fallon’s Bar, Shannonbridge
• Westmeath – Anthony Gilsenan, 12 Points Restaurant, Killua Castle, Clonmellon

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees who are shaping the future of Irish food across the Midlands!