Cork restaurant named best in Ireland at Irish Restaurant Awards

Dede at the Customs House in Baltimore was named Best Restaurant at an awards ceremony on Monday 

Winner of the Best Restaurant in Ireland Award - Dede at the Custom House, Baltimore, West Cork. Picture: Paul Sherwood.

A popular Cork restaurant has been named best restaurant at this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards All-Ireland final.

Dede at the Customs House in Baltimore, one of only five two-star Michelin restaurants in Ireland, was named best restaurant at the awards ceremony held at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road in Dublin on Monday.

Dede is run by Turkish-born chef Ahmet Dede and his business partner Maria Archer, and offers a fusion of Turkish and Irish foods.

Together, they opened Dede after purchasing the village's Customs House in 2019, and the restaurant has since been awarded two Michelin stars - one in 2021 and one in 2023.

The restaurant was also crowned the All-Ireland winner at the 2024 Irish Restaurant Awards, continuing their success at the awards this year by winning best restaurant for the second consecutive year.

Posting on X following the restaurant's win, Dede wrote: "Amazing thank you @restawards for this incredible award, what a wonderful achievement again from the best team in the world so proud of you all. Consistently getting better and keep pushing for more that's the spirit and the dedication for what we do. Thank you all and congratulations to all other winners."

Ahmet Dede and Maria Archer at The Customs House, Baltimore. Picture: Miki Barlok

John Kelly of the Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny was awarded best chef in Ireland, and renowned Chef Neven Maguire was also honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award, recognising his contribution to Irish food and hospitality.

The All-Ireland final of the 2025 Irish Restaurant Awards took place at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road in Dublin on Monday, where over 1,000 of the country’s top hospitality professionals, including owners, chefs, managers, and staff, gathered to celebrate the finest establishments in Irish food and drink.

Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received a record-breaking 165,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés, and venues across the country - the highest in the Awards’ history.

Entries were submitted by the public via The Irish Times website, media partner of the awards.

In the lead-up to the national final, regional awards ceremonies were hosted in Kildare, Cork, Sligo and Monaghan, where county-level winners were revealed across a range of categories. The national winners were selected from these regional champions.

Each year, funds are raised for chosen charity causes at the All-Ireland final of the Irish Restaurant Awards. This year, substantial funds were raised for both Friends of the Elderly and Tourist SOS.

Speaking on the night, president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Seán Collender, said: “At a time when our industry continues to face significant challenges, it’s more important than ever to come together and celebrate the strength of Ireland’s food and hospitality sector.

These Awards are about acknowledging the incredible talent and tireless work of those in our restaurants, cafés and kitchens across the country.

“They shine a light on the resilience and creativity that define our industry. Behind every meal served is a team of passionate professionals dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences.

“This year’s awards have once again highlighted the extraordinary standard of culinary talent across every region.

The Michelin Star Lady Helen Restaurant Head Chef John Kelly.

“I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners and nominees - your commitment and passion inspire us all.” 

In response to his win, Chef Kelly of the Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate, said: "This award reflects the creativity, passion, and teamwork that drives our kitchen every day.

“The Lady Helen is a celebration of the finest local ingredients, brought to life by an extraordinary team that shares my commitment to creating exceptional dining experiences."

Full list of this year’s winners:

Best Restaurant - Sponsored by San Miguel 

• Leinster: Thyme Restaurant 
• Connaught: Lignum 
• Ulster: MacNean House & Restaurant 
• Dublin: Chapter One 
• Munster: Dede at the Customs House, Baltimore
• All Ireland: Dede at the Customs House, Baltimore

Best Chef - Sponsored by BWG Food Service 

• Ulster: Ciaran Sweeney, The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box 
• Munster: Brian Murray, The Glass Curtain 
• Dublin: Visham Sumputh, Etto 
• Connaught: Yvonne Kathrein, Poacher Restaurant 
• Leinster: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate 
• All Ireland: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate

Best Restaurant Manager - Sponsored by Elavon 

• Connaught: Shirley Stirzaker, Dining Room 
• Leinster: William Wong, Saba 
• Munster: Sophie McCauley, Homestead Cottage 
• Ulster: Laura Connolly, The Oak Room Restaurant 
• Dublin: Cian Lynch, Uno Mas 
• All Ireland: Cian Lynch, Uno Mas

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Sponsored by Frylite 

• Ulster: Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate 
• Leinster: The Sea Rooms at Kelly's Resort 
• Munster: Landline at Park Hotel Kenmare 
• Dublin: The Saddle Room at The Shelbourne 
• Connaught: George V at Ashford Castle 

• All Ireland: George V at Ashford Castle

Best Use of Social Media – Sponsored by GRID Finance 

• Leinster: Little Acorn Cafe 
• Dublin: Kicky's 
• Connaught: Hooked 
• Ulster: Sonder 
• Munster: Hotel Woodstock 
• All Ireland: Hotel Woodstock

Employee Excellence Award - Sponsored by Peninsula 

• Leinster: Jackie Cullen, Mary Barry's Bar 
• Connaught: Emma Cavanagh, Nook Cafe and Restaurant 
• Munster: Geraldine Ward, Everett's Restaurant 
• Ulster: Liam McKenna, Armagh City Hotel 
• Dublin: Charlie O'Reilly, Happy Out x Together Academy 
• All Ireland: Charlie O'Reilly, Happy Out x Together Academy

Best Casual Dining - Sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace 

• Munster: Momo Restaurant 
• Ulster: Frae 
• Leinster: The Valley Inn 
• Connaught: Guys Seafood Bar 
• Dublin: Crudo 
• All Ireland: Crudo

Gastro Pub - Sponsored by Paynt 

• Ulster: Murph's Gastro Pub 
• Dublin: HERA 
• Leinster: The Glyde Inn 
• Munster: J. M. Reidy's 
• Connaught: McSwiggans 
• All Ireland: McSwiggans

Best Café - Sponsored by Lavazza 

• Dublin: Two Boys Brew 
• Munster: Seagull Bakery 
• Connaught: POTA 
• Ulster: Ursa Minor 
• Leinster: Strandfield 
• All Ireland: Strandfield

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine - Sponsored by FBD Insurance 

• Connaught: The Lavender Restaurant 
• Dublin: Volpe Nera 
• Munster: Saint Francis Provisions 
• Leinster: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro 
• Ulster: The Olde Post Inn 
• All Ireland: The Olde Post Inn

Best Newcomer - Sponsored by Square 

• Munster: Baba'de 
• Connaught: Oifig An Fish 
• Ulster: No. 9 Market Square 
• Dublin: Forêt 
• Leinster: Bearú 
• All Ireland: Bearú

Pub of the Year - Sponsored by istil.38 

• Dublin: Neary's 
• Ulster: The Reel Inn 
• Connaught: Matt Molloy's 
• Munster: An Siopa Dubh 
• Leinster: Sean's Bar 
• All Ireland: Sean's Bar

Best Wine Experience - Sponsored by Bibendum 

• Ulster: OX 
• Leinster: Ballyfin Demesne 
• Munster: UNioN Wine Bar & Kitchen 
• Connaught: Daróg Wine Bar 
• Dublin: Bar Pez 
• All Ireland: Bar Pez

Best Customer Service - Sponsored by Restaurant-insurance.ie provided by Dolmen 

• Leinster: Monart 
• Connaught: Arno's Bistrot 
• Ulster: Noble 
• Dublin: Roly's Bistro 
• Munster: Restaurant Chestnut 
• All Ireland: Restaurant Chestnut

Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by National Chef de Partie Apprenticeship & National Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programmes 

• Connaught: Mama Rich Woodquay 
• Ulster: Chilli Lounge 
• Leinster: Tābú 
• Munster: Tango Street Food 
• Dublin: Rasam Restaurant 
• All Ireland: Rasam Restaurant

Best Sustainable Practices - Sponsored by Familia Torres  & the Findlater Group 

• Dublin: Glas Restaurant 
• Munster: Ballygarry Estate Hotel 
• Leinster: Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery 
• Connaught: Honestly Farm Kitchen 
• Ulster: Lir
• All Ireland: Lir

Innovator of the Year - Sponsored by Diageo 

• Ulster: Foam 
• Connaught: Ugly D's Pizza 
• Leinster: Fiona Egan, Cloughan Farm & Cookery School 
• Munster: Trawler Boyz Ballycotton 
• Dublin: Bar 1661 
• All Ireland: Bar 1661

Local Food Hero - Sponsored by Sugar Snap 

• Leinster: Tom and Laura Sinnott, Wexford Home Preserves 
• Munster: Kasha Connolly, Hazel Mountain Chocolate 
• Connaught: The Calvey Family, Calveys Achill Mountain Lamb 
• Dublin: Jess Kelly, The Village Butcher 
• Ulster: Jonny Cuddy, Ispini Charcuterie 

• All Ireland: Jonny Cuddy, Ispini Charcuterie

Outstanding Achievement Award – Sponsored by Excel Recruitment 

• All Ireland: Neven Maguire, MacNean House & Restaurant

Best Cocktail Experience – Sponsored by Monin 

• All Ireland: Darren Geraghty, Hawksmoor

Food Truck of the Year – Sponsored by Restaurant-insurance.ie provided by Dolmen 

• All Ireland: Julia's Lobster Truck

Best Cookery School – Avonmore 

• All Ireland: Dingle Cookery School

Best Learning and Development - Restaurant & Hospitality Skillnet 

• All Ireland: O'Dwyers