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06 Sept 2025

Derry winners at the Ulster Regional Final of Irish Restaurant Awards 2023

"Our Hospitality Industry and those working in it have had a mad and bad couple of years but have kept serving in style and with a smile"

Derry winners at the Ulster Regional Final of Irish Restaurant Awards 2023

Almost 800 restaurant and hospitality business owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the Awards Event

Reporter:

Nicole Lang

22 Mar 2023 5:00 PM

The Ulster Regional Final of Irish Restaurant Awards 2023 took place in the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan last night (March 21).  

Almost 800 restaurant and hospitality business owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the Awards Event, which saw many well-known restaurateurs of Ulster turn out to see if they had won one of the prestigious awards.
The Derry food scene continues to grow from strength to strength and local food heroes received well-deserved recognition last night.
The Derry food and drink establishments that came home with the top prizes from the 17 categories were Kevin Pyke, Pykes “N” Pommes for Local Food Hero- a new award category for 2023.
The City Hotel Derry were awarded for Best Sustainable Practices, Brøn Cafe Bar and Restaurant for Innovator of the Year and Cedar Restaurant for Free From.
The Sooty Olive took home the award for Best Emerging Irish Cuisine whilst James McKee from District 45 won Best Restaurant Manager.
Artis Restaurant by Phelim O’Hagan won Best Wine Experience, The Pickled Duck took home Best Cafe, Mekong were awarded Best World Cuisine and after only being open a matter of weeks, Coupe were awarded Best Newcomer. 
Sandinos won Pub of the Year and El Tapas Grá were awarded Best Casual Dining. The Gown, Bishops Gate Hotel was named Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant whilst Shipquay Restaurant was awarded Best Customer Service and Walled City Brewery was named Best Gastro Pub.
Ian Orr at Browns Bonds Hill was named Best Chef whilst the restaurant took home Best Restaurant.
MLA Mark H Durkan congratulated the local winners and paid homage to Derry's well renowned food scene.
"Our Hospitality Industry and those working in it have had a mad and bad couple of years but have kept serving in style and with a smile," Mr Durkan wrote.

Speaking at the Ulster Regional Awards President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, said; “Now in their 14th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards returns with a record breaking number of public nominations -over 130,000. 
"This sheer number of votes highlight the support & appreciation by the general public for our hospitality sector and all who contribute to it. 
"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 are delighted to be here in Limerick for the first of the Regional Events for 2023 and look forward to welcoming all winners in Ulster to the All Ireland Awards on 15th May.”  

All of the county winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards All Ireland Final on Monday May 15 in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin 4.

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