Here in the Midlands, we take great pride in our food and drink industry and our unique heritage in grain milling, malting, distilling, brewing and baking. Along with our diverse landscapes and waterways, we have a vast amount of scrumptiously delicious food and drink.
Whether you’re after the best in fine dining, a cosy pub with a roaring fire or barista coffee in an independent café, there is a rich variety of food and drink producers in the region, from Michelin Guide to Blue Book and the Irish Restaurant Awards to Blas na hEireann, we have award-winning food and produce to suit you.
Key to the food and drink of the Midlands is the quality produce of the region. A proud history of producing food and drink can be traced to a countryside location where high-quality produce is grown and reared.
An unspoiled landscape has led to the region being home to a thriving network of Organic food and drink producers. From award-winning cheeses and dairy products, to meats, fruits and vegetables, the Midlands region is home to an array of organic producers, with many available from our bustling Farmer’s Markets.
Our Midlands Food and Drink Directory highlights over 100 of our regional producers
Bustling markets in the region are home to the best in locally made artisan and organic produce. In the Midlands we’re lucky to have so many thriving farmer’s markets, each with their own specialities and unique producers.
The Michelin Guide is known internationally for highlighting the best in food across the globe. Here in the region, three of our restaurants are included in the Guide.
Ireland’s Blue Book is a romantic collection of Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, Castles and Restaurants. Four properties with restaurants are included in the Guide.
The Irish Restaurants Awards is one of the biggest events in Irish Food, each year the best in food and drink from across Ireland is recognised at the annual awards dinner in association with The Irish Times. The quality of food and drink in the Midlands region continues to go from strength to strength, and the list of winners is a perfect snapshot of just how many fantastic restaurants, cafes, chefs and food heroes are right here on our doorstep.
There are also many award-winning eateries which have been commended by food critics such as the McKennas Guides, Georgina Campbell and the Food Writers Guild.
The Midlands has a long and proud history in distilling and brewing. Internationally renowned and historic labels such as Tullamore DEW, and Kilbeggan Whiskey , have been joined in recent years by a thriving craft renaissance with Lough Ree Distillery in Lanesboro, Dead Centre Brewing in Athlone, Ballykilcavan Farm & Brewery in Stradbally, Fore Distillery in Castlepollard and Wide Street Brewing in Ballymahon becoming household names and winning awards around the world in recent years. Many offer excellent tours and visitor experiences to learn more about the craft.
Whether you’re looking for a place to break the journey, sit in front of an open fire in a cosy corner, take in some live music or enjoy a comedy night, immerse yourself in a food and drink experience whether it be a night out or a quiet creamy pint.
If you like a Traditional setting, you won’t find an older pub in Ireland than the world-renowed ‘Sean’s Bar’ www.seansbar.ie in Athlone. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the pub on the banks of the Shannon is the longest established bar in Ireland and perhaps the world, with a history going back as far as 900AD.
The Midlands receives many nods each year in awards such as Irish Pub of the Year, and the Irish Bar Awards. A selection of just some of our finalists include Peadar’s Bar in Moate, The Fisherman’s Thatched Inn in Ballybrittas, The Old Warehouse and The Brewery Tap in Tullamore, Gertie Browne’s Bar and Bistro and Dead Centre Brewing in Athlone, Kavanagh’s in Portlaoise, Lukers and JJ Killeens in Shannonbridge, Treacy’s in The Heath, Morrissey’s of Abbeyleix and the famous JJ Hough’s Singing Pub in Banagher
Discover more about the food and drink offerings across the Midlands on the links below, for full listings on the food and drink providers across the region.
