Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2025 — Allta, Dublin
📍 Spencer Place, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1
Allta is not just Dublin’s hottest fine dining spot — it’s a manifesto of what Irish food can be. Chef Niall Davidson blends farm-to-table produce with modern techniques, creating a dining room that feels lively and stylish, not stiff.
Here, sourdough bread, oysters, wild herbs, and seasonal game come together in menus that surprise without intimidating. The vibe is energetic: long wooden tables, natural wines, and a soundtrack of laughter rather than hushed whispers.
Why go: If you want to experience the pulse of modern Dublin cuisine — sophisticated but never pretentious — Allta is your place.
5-Star Hotel of the Year 2025 — Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate, Galway
📍 Bushypark, Galway, H91 XD8K
Just outside Galway city lies Glenlo Abbey, a historic estate where time slows down. The highlight is its Pullman Restaurant, housed in two original carriages from the Orient Express. Dining here feels like stepping into a 1920s film: velvet seats, candlelight, fine wines, and Irish beef cooked to perfection.
The estate offers far more than a bed: golf, gardens, afternoon tea, a library, even a private cinema. Many couples choose Glenlo for romantic getaways or weddings, but solo travellers and families also find the warmth irresistible.
Why go: For a unique combination of five-star luxury, Irish heritage, and the unforgettable chance to dine in a train that doesn’t move but takes you places nonetheless.
Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant of the Year — Landline, Park Hotel Kenmare, Kerry
📍 Shelbourne St, Kenmare, Co. Kerry
Kenmare is famous for its stunning bay and surrounding mountains, and Landline makes sure the food matches the scenery. With a focus on Kerry lamb, Atlantic seafood, and local herbs, the restaurant embodies the idea of slow food.
The dining room overlooks the water, and every plate feels connected to the land and sea outside. Think lobster with wild seaweed, lamb roasted with mountain thyme, and desserts that taste like the countryside.
Why go: To taste Kerry through its ingredients, in a refined yet welcoming setting.
Chef of the Year 2025 — Conor Halpenny, Square Restaurant, Dundalk, Louth
📍 Market Square, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Dundalk might not be your first thought for fine dining, but Conor Halpenny has put it firmly on the map. At Square Restaurant, he experiments with textures and flavors: carrots turned into mousse, fish smoked on coals with citrus dressings, venison paired with foraged mushrooms.
The restaurant is intimate, modern, and proud of being off the beaten track.
Why go: To discover Ireland’s new generation of chefs, and to taste how bold creativity can transform a small-town dining scene.
Rural Destination of the Year 2025 — Castle Leslie Estate, Monaghan
📍 Glaslough, Co. Monaghan
If you dream of Ireland as a land of castles, lakes, and horses, Castle Leslie is the reality. The estate is set in Monaghan’s countryside, with horse riding, fishing, and sprawling grounds where peacocks roam.
It’s less about luxury and more about atmosphere: grand dining rooms, library breakfasts, crackling fires, and walks under ancient oaks.
Why go: For romance and serenity. Castle Leslie is perfect for couples who want to switch off, slow down, and experience Irish heritage in comfort.
Seafood Restaurant of the Year 2025 — Caviston’s, Glasthule, Dublin
📍 58/59 Glasthule Rd, Glasthule, Co. Dublin
Caviston’s has been a Dublin seafood institution for decades, and this award confirms its continued brilliance. The fish arrives straight from the trawlers, and you can taste the freshness in every oyster, scallop, or lobster dish.
The atmosphere is lively, bustling, and joyful — the kind of place where a meal feels like a celebration of the sea.
Why go: To experience Irish seafood at its best, just a short trip from Dublin city.
Happy Place Award 2025 — Café Rua, Castlebar, Mayo
📍 Spencer Street & New Antrim St, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
The clue is in the award: Café Rua makes people happy. Known for its soups, breads, cakes, and coffee, it has become a beloved spot in Castlebar for locals and travellers alike.
The décor is simple, but the atmosphere is warm — you feel like you’ve stumbled into a friend’s kitchen.
Why go: For a slice of everyday joy, especially on a rainy Mayo morning.
Traditional Pub of the Year 2025 — The House of McDonnell, Ballycastle, Antrim
📍 63 Castle St, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim
Stepping into The House of McDonnell is like entering a time capsule. Wooden counters polished by generations, stained-glass windows, and traditional music sessions create an atmosphere you can’t fake.
This is not a tourist pub — it’s the real deal, a community hub where stories, songs, and pints flow freely.
Why go: To feel the heartbeat of an Irish town, in a pub that has hardly changed for decades.
Other Highlights Worth Noting
- Wine and Brine, Moira, Co. Down – Neighbourhood fine dining at its best.
- Belle’s Kitchen, Rathmullan, Donegal – A bakery café famous for croissants and seaside views.
- Gregan’s Castle Hotel, Clare – Winner of the Memorable Experience Award.
- St Tola Goat Farm, Clare – Food tourism experience of the year: taste artisan cheese on site.
- Izz Café, Cork – Global Cuisines Award: Palestinian food that has won Cork’s heart.
- The Strand Cahore, Wexford – Gastro Pub of the Year: seafood chowder and Guinness with an ocean view.
Conclusion: A Map of Irish Memories
- The Georgina Campbell Awards 2025 are more than a roll call of winners — they are an invitation to travel.
- If you want to taste modern Dublin, start at Allta.
- If you dream of romance in the West, book Glenlo Abbey.
- If you long for tradition, walk into The House of McDonnell.
- If you want joy in a cup, sit at Café Rua.
- And if you want to taste the ocean, order oysters at Caviston’s.
- For locals, these awards are a proud reminder of the richness of Irish food culture. For tourists, they’re the ultimate guide to where to eat and stay in Ireland in 2025.
Every address on this list is more than a place: it’s a story waiting to be lived.