Several eateries in Louth and Meath have won through the county and Leinster stages of the Irish Restaurant Awards 2023 and will now progress to the All-Ireland finals on Monday 15^th May in the Clayton Hotel in Dublin.

The food outlets were nominated in 17 different categories by members of the public and, according to the President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, there were a record breaking 130,000 plus public nominations.

Speaking at the Leinster Awards on Tuesday night, the President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, said: “The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the existing, and up and coming talent, in the sector and are a reminder that hospitality is nothing without their dedicated and passionate staff. 

“The Awards continue to showcase the incredible food that is on offer in the cafes, hotels, pubs and restaurants of Ireland. We look forward to welcoming all winners in Leinster to the All-Ireland Awards on 15^th May.” 

The Louth and Meath winners in the various categories of the Leinster final which was held in the Killashee Hotel in Kildare on Tuesday 14th of March, were:  

LOCAL FOOD HERO - Sponsored by The Irish Times 

• Louth – Marita Collier, Drummond House Garlic  
• Meath - Andrew Ruiter, The Donkey Shed Restaurant, Ashbourne. 

BEST GASTRO PUB - Sponsored by Worldpay from FIS 

• Louth -The Trinity Quarter, Drogheda
• Meath -The Lime Kiln Gastropub, Julianstown     

BEST WORLD CUISINE - Sponsored by San Pellegrino 

• Louth - Sally Cinnamons Bar - Drogheda  
• Meath - Cinnamon Garden Restaurant, Ashbourne.  

BEST WINE EXPERIENCE - Sponsored by Bibendum Ireland 

• Louth - D’vine Bistro & Tapas Bar, Drogheda   
• Meath -The Winery, Navan.  

BEST SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES - Sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland  

• Louth - Wildwood Café, Carlingford.
• Meath - Zucchini’s Restaurant  (Navan)

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Diageo  

• Louth - Rocksalt Café (Dundalk)   
• Meath – Tribe Restaurant, Duleek.  

FREE FROM  

• Louth - Strandfield Cafe Florist And Grocer, Dundalk. 
• Meath – Zucchini’s Restaurant, Navan.  

BEST EMERGING IRISH CUISINE - Sponsored by FBD Insurance 

• Louth – Square Restaurant, Dundalk. 
• Meath - Inside Out, Slane.

BEST RESTAURANT MANAGER - Sponsored by Halcyon Group 

• Louth - Emily Carton, The Smugglers Rest, Clogherhead   
• Meath - Lareina Quigley, The Vanilla Pod Restaurant At Headfort Arms Hotel   

BEST CAFÉ - Sponsored by Illy 

• Louth - Rocksalt Café, Blackrock  
• Meath - Room8  

BEST NEWCOMER - Sponsored by Square 

• Louth - Stack’d Coffee, Dundalk  
• Meath - Gourmet Food Parlour  

PUB OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Peroni 

• Louth - Russell’s Saloon, Dundalk  
• Meath – James Griffin Pub, Trim   

BEST CASUAL DINING - Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace 

• Louth -The Spotted Dog, Dundalk  
• Meath -The Central Navan  

BEST HOTEL & GUESTHOUSE RESTAURANT - Sponsored By Frylite 

• Louth -The Bay Tree Restaurant & Guesthouse, Carlingford  
• Meath -The Vanilla Pod Restaurant At Headfort Arms Hotel Townparks  

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE - Sponsored Restaurant-Insurance.ie

• Louth - Dooleys of Edmondstown  
• Meath - Cinnamon Garden Restaurant  

BEST CHEF - Sponsored by BWG Foodservice 

• Louth - Ronan Lawless, The Clermont, Blackrock  
• Meath - Paul McCullagh, Zucchini’s Restaurant, Navan   

BEST RESTAURANT - Sponsored by San Miguel 

• Louth  - Square Restaurant, Dundalk  
• Meath - Brabazon Restaurant At Tankardstown House