Fine dining in Ireland has reached another exciting milestone, with Ómós in Abbeyleix taking home the country’s top fine dining restaurant title at the 2026 Georgina Campbell Irish Food and Hospitality Awards.
The annual ceremony, held at Dublin’s InterContinental Hotel on 22 September 2026, celebrated the restaurants, cafés, hotels and hospitality professionals shaping the modern Irish food scene. From ambitious new openings to welcoming neighbourhood venues, this year’s winners reflected the remarkable breadth of food Ireland has to offer.
Ómós leads Ireland’s fine dining awards
Ómós, located in Abbeyleix, County Laois, was named Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2026. The restaurant forms part of a 16-bedroom guesthouse housed within a restored 19th-century mansion and its former coach houses.
Opened in July 2026, Ómós is led by chef and writer Cúán Greene. Its award arrives soon after launch, highlighting the growing influence of distinctive regional restaurants beyond Ireland’s largest cities. For anyone exploring an Ireland food guide or searching for the best restaurants Ireland has to offer, Ómós is now firmly on the national dining map.
The awards also recognised a wide range of dining styles and locations:
- The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel, County Tipperary, won Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant of the Year.
- Mamó Restaurant in Howth received the Neighbourhood Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year award.
- Everett’s in Waterford was named Bijou Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year.
- Studio by Mark Moriarty in Dublin 2 won the Innovation Award.
- Champagne Seafood Bar & Terrace at Dunbrody House Hotel in County Wexford took the Smart-Casual Dining award.
Food news Ireland: chefs, cafés and regional dining celebrated
Wade Murphy was named Chef of the Year 2026. The Wexford chef developed his experience in London and New York before opening 1826 Adare with his wife, Elaine. He is also familiar to television viewers through appearances on RTÉ’s Today programme.
Other winners underlined the variety found across the Ireland restaurant guide landscape. The Strand Inn in Dunmore East, County Waterford, was recognised as Restaurant-Bar of the Year, while Grangecon Kitchen Bakery and Café in County Wicklow received the Daytime Destination award. The Fold Bakehouse in Derry won Bakery-Café of the Year.
For diners comparing restaurant reviews Ireland, planning a weekend food trip or looking for places to eat Ireland outside the capital, the results offer plenty of inspiration. They also reinforce the importance of independent restaurants, local hospitality and regional food experiences in Irish cuisine.
Read more: Explore Ireland food recommendations and food news Ireland for more ideas on where to eat across the country.
Explore more: Browse Irish restaurant reviews and dining stories, or discover wider food and lifestyle coverage at LuxéDigest.
Why the awards matter for diners
The Georgina Campbell Awards provide a useful snapshot of Ireland’s evolving hospitality industry. This year’s list includes formal fine dining, creative restaurant concepts, seafood-led casual dining, bakery cafés and neighbourhood restaurants, showing that memorable meals are not limited to one format.
Whether you are seeking the best fine dining Ireland, hidden gem restaurants Ireland, seafood restaurants Ireland or a relaxed café experience, the winning venues demonstrate the depth of choice available nationwide. They also offer a helpful starting point for planning an Ireland dining guide, from Laois and Tipperary to Dublin, Waterford, Wicklow and Derry.
Article/Image Courtesy: EVOKE
The 2026 Georgina Campbell Awards confirm that Ireland’s food scene continues to thrive through talent, creativity and a strong sense of place. With Ómós recognised as Ireland’s best fine dining restaurant, food lovers have a compelling new destination to add to their list.
