Two for Chapter One

Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen, in Dublin 1, was named Best Restaurant for a second consecutive year at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2023.

Paul McNamara of Uno Mas, also in Dublin, was named Best Chef.

The winners were announced at a gala dinner attended by more than 1,200 restaurant and hospitality industry representatives.

Chapter One, which has two Michelin stars, is co-owned by Viljanen and restaurateur and chef Ross Lewis.

Dublin restaurants were also successful in several other categories, including Best Emerging Irish Cuisine for Library Street in Dublin 2; Best World Cuisine for Pickle, also in Dublin 2; Best Casual Dining for Crudo in Dublin 4; Best Restaurant Manager, won by Denise McBrien of The Old Spot gastropub, again in Dublin 4; and Best Customer Service, awarded to The Guinea Pig in Dalkey.

Newcomer of the Year is Blackrock Cottage in Galway, while The Bishop’s Buttery at the Cashel Palace Hotel in Co Tipperary took the Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant award. The local food hero for 2023 is Con Traas of The Apple Farm in Cahir, Co Tipperary.

The awards, organised by the Restaurants Association of Ireland, attracted 130,000 nominations.

The Winners

Best Restaurant

Chapter One

Best Chef

Uno Mas, Paul McNamara

Best Gastropub

The Dirty Duck

Best Customer Service

Guinea Pig Restaurant

Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant

The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel

Best Casual Dining

Crudo

Pub of the Year

Thomas Connolly

Best Newcomer

Blackrock Cottage

Best World Cuisine

Pickle

Best Cafe

The Vanilla Pod, Blackrock

Best Wine Experience

Union Wine Bar

Best Restaurant Manager

Denise McBrien, The Old Spot

Best Emerging Irish Cuisine

Library Street

Best Free From

Glas

Innovator of the Year

Lock 13 Gastropub & Brewpub

Best Sustainable Practices

Grain Store Restaurant at Killruddery House and Gardens

Local Food Hero

Con Traas, The Apple Farm

Best Cocktail Experience

Haddington House

Best Learning and Development

The Kingsley Hotel

Best Cookery School

Fiona Egan, Cloughan Farm and Cookery School

Best Private Dining and Club Restaurant

RDS Members Club