Longford restaurants recognised for their excellence at Irish Restaurant Awards

A host of Longford restaurants were recognised for their excellence at the Irish Restaurant Awards last night (Wednesday, March 6).

The Leinster Regional Final of the Irish Restaurant Awards took place in the Killashee House Hotel where the top restaurants in each county in the province for 2019 were announced. 

All of the Longford winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards. These will be held in the Clayton Hotel, Dublin on Monday, May 13 2019.

The Longford winners were;

Best Restaurant (sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants)
Nine Arches Restaurant

Best Chef (sponsored by Nisbets)
Robert Groot Koerkamp of VM Restaurant at Viewmount House

Best Newcomer 
Vocella's

Best Restaurant Manager (sponsored by AIB Merchant Services)
Lorna Halligan, Nine Arches Restaurant

Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant (sponsored by BWG Food Service)
VM Restaurant at Viewmount House

Best Customer Service (sponsored by Lockton)
Tús Nua Restaurant

Best Gastro Pub (sponsored by Elavon)
The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule

Best Cafe (sponsored by Illy)
Mac's Shack, Kenagh

Pub of the Year (sponsored by Jameson Caskmates)
Milo’s Bar, Longford town

Best Wine Experience (sponsored by Gilbeys)
Skellys Bar & Guest House, Ballymahon

Best World Cuisine
Spice India

Best “Free From” (sponsored by Peroni Gluten Free)
Torc Café

Best Kids Size Me 
Jac-O-Bites Café

Best Local Food Hero (sponsored by Rewarding Times)
Eilish McLoughlin of Dial a Chef

Best Emerging Irish Cuisine (sponsored by Odaios)
Tús Nua Restaurant

Best Casual Dining (sponsored by Just Eat)
Richmond Inn, Clondra

Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, said; “Now in their 11th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards continue to showcase the incredible food that is on offer in the cafes, pubs and restaurants of Ireland, as well as recognising the teams behind these establishments and the hard work and dedication that they put in. With well over 90,000 nominations received from the public this year, the standard for the judging process was higher than ever.

"Ireland may be a small country, but it boasts everything from fine dining to high quality gastropubs, from the comfort of traditional Irish food to exploring the world though exotic world cuisine, the Irish restaurant industry has much to offer. We have an appreciation for what we eat and where our food comes from, as well as the dedication of those working in the food industry."

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