NI establishments shortlisted for top prizes at Irish Restaurant Awards 2022

A number of well-loved bars and restaurants across Northern Ireland have been recognised at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2022. On Tuesday, the Ulster Regional Awards ceremony took place in Co Cavan and highlighted the high standard of the people and places operating across our hospitality industry.

The awards have grown year upon year and help showcase the true talent both north and south of the border and hold particular importance this year in the wake of the pandemic. Bars, cafes and restaurants from all six counties were selected across a range of awards from Best Chef to Local Food Heros.

These NI spots will then go on to compete at the Regional and All Ireland finals where top winners are revealed at the All Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on September 19 in the Convention Centre Dublin.

Read more: Famous Manchester arcade bar could be set to open in Belfast

Here is a list of NI winners at the Ireland Restaurant Ulster Awards 2022:

Local Food Hero:

Mike's Fancy Cheese (mfcheese.com)

• Antrim - Michael Thomson at Mike's Fancy Cheeses
• Armagh - Simon Dougan at Yellow Door Deli
• Derry - Stevie and Rebecca McCarry at Native Seafood
• Down - Laura Bradley at Indie Food
• Fermanagh - Mark Edwards at Taste Experience Enniskillen
• Tyrone - Ric Dyer at Symphonia Gin, Woodlab Distillery

Best Sustainable Practices:

No.14 at the Georgian House (Facebook)

• Antrim - Babushka Kitchen Cafe Portrush
• Armagh - Sally McNally's
• Derry - Native Seafood
• Down - No.14 at the Georgian House
• Fermanagh - Tully Mill Restaurant
• Tyrone - Chapter V Restaurant

Best 'Free From':

The exterior of Jumon on Fountain Street (Belfast Live)

• Antrim - Jumon
• Armagh - Zio Restauurant
• Derry - Hidden City Cafe
• Down - New Quays Portavogie
• Fermanagh - Tullana on the Green
• Tyrone - The Kitchen

Best Emerging Irish Cuisine:

• Antrim - A Peculiar Tea
• Armagh - Clenaghans Restaurant
• Derry - Sooty Olive
• Down - Frae Holywood
• Fermanagh - Finn Lough Dining
• Tyrone - No.47 Cookstown

Best Restaurant Manager:

Natalia Polo Mullan, Ocho Tapas Bistro Portstewart (Facebook)

• Antrim - Julian Henry, Shu
• Armagh - Matthew Bird, Sally McNally's
• Derry - Natalia Polo Mullan, Ocho Tapas Bistro Portstewart
• Down - Saul McConnell, Noble
• Fermanagh - Zara McHugh, 28 at the Hallow
• Tyrone - Caroline Clarke, Oysters Strabane

Best Wine Experience:

Ox, Belfast (Kasia Wandycz/Paris Match via Getty Images)

• Antrim - OX Belfast
• Armagh - Wine and Brine
• Derry - Artis Restaurant by Phelim O'Hagan
• Down - Noble
• Fermanagh - Saddlers Bistro
• Tyrone - The Wine Rack

Best Cafe:

• Antrim - Ursa Minor Bakehouse
• Armagh - McCrumbs Coffee and Bistro
• Derry - Bron Cafe Bar
• Down - Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
• Fermanagh - The Jolly Sandwich Bar
• Tyrone - Piece of Cake Omagh

Best World Cuisine:

Natalia Polo Mullan, Ocho Tapas Bistro Portstewart (Facebook)

• Antrim - Ora Wine and Tapas
• Armagh - Shapla Restaurant
• Derry - Mekong Street Food
• Down - Tuk Tuk Asian Bistro Newtownards
• Fermanagh - Kamal Mahal
• Tyrone - Tusk Restuarant

Best Newcomer:

The Hungry Goat (Facebook)

• Antrim - Banh Boy Antrim
• Armagh - Hungry Goat
• Derry -Artis Restaurant by Phelim O'Hagan

• Down - Frae Holywood

• Fermanagh - Between the Bridges

• Tyrone - No.47 Cookstown

Pub of the Year:

The Sunflower Pub, Belfast (Justin Kernoghan/ Belfast Live)

• Antrim - Sunflower Public House
• Armagh - Hole in the Wall
• Derry - Sandinos
• Down - The Hillside
• Fermanagh - Charlie's Bar
• Tyrone - Farmers Home

Best Casual Dining:

Dollakis Greek restaurant in Enniskillen (Dollakis)

• Antrim - Mourne Seafood Bar
• Armagh - Digby's Bar
• Derry - Native Seafood
• Down - Underground Dining
• Fermanagh - Dollakis
• Tyrone - The Copper Tap & 1806

Best Hotel and Guesthouse:

• Antrim - Grand Central Hotel
• Armagh - Newfroge House
• Derry - Ardtara Country House
• Down - The Cuan
• Fermanagh - Lough Erne Resort
• Tyrone - Corick House

Best Customer Service:

Antrim - Bushmills Inn

Armagh - Newfroge House

Derry -Artis Restaurant by Phelim O'Hagan

Down - Noble

Fermanagh - Franco's

Tyrone -Oysters Strabane

Best Gastro Pub:

Drinks and lunch served outside at The Morning Star on Bank Holiday Monday in Belfast city centre. (Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)

Antrim - The Morning Star

Armagh - The Head O The Road

Derry -Walled City Brewery

Down - The Dirty Duck

Fermanagh - The Tap House

Tyrone -The Brewer's House

Best Chef:

Alex Greene at Deanes Eipic (Facebook)

Antrim - Alex Greene at Deanes Eipic

Armagh - Chris McGowan at Wine & Brine

Derry -Derek Creagh at Scarpello and Co

Down - Shaun Tinman at Frae

Fermanagh - Stephen Holland at Lough Erne Resort

Tyrone - James Devine at No. 47 Restaurant

Best Restaurant:

Deanes Eipic (Facebook/Deanes Restaurant Belfast)

Antrim - Deanes Eipic

Armagh - Wine & Brine

Derry -Brown's Bonds Hill

Down - Noble

Fermanagh - 28 At The Hallow

Tyrone - Chapter V

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