Co Antrim bistro comes away with top prize at Irish Restaurant Awards 2024

Sophie McLaughlin

25 May 2024 at 0:21 pm·2-min read

-Credit: (Image: Square Bistro/ Facebook)

Northern Ireland's thriving hospitality industry was well represented at this year's Irish Restaurant Awards as ten pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels were recognised for their work across Ulster.

The Irish Restaurant Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the existing, and up and coming talent, in the sector.

Celebrating its 15th year, hospitality businesses from across the country were selected to represent their county at the Ulster Regional Awards last month before heading to the All Ireland Final.

The Irish Restaurant Awards received over 160,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés and other food services establishments across the country in 2024, the highest number to date.

Square Bistro in Lisburn was not only awarded 'Best Casual Dining of the Year 2024' for Ulster, but it was also the only NI venue to rank on top of its category and take home the All Ireland prize.

Taking to social media after being named Best Casual Dining in Ireland, the Square Bistro team said: "We are truly delighted!

"Thank you so much to our team! They are truly amazing. Thank you to our fabulous customers you are one in a million. We are very grateful."

The full list of NI winners of the Irish Restaurant Awards 2024 are:

Employee Excellence Award - Ulster: Liam McKenna, Armagh City Hotel
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant - Ulster: Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Resort
Pub of the Year - Ulster: The Garrick
Best Casual Dining - All Ireland - Square Bistro
Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine - Ulster: 28 at the Hollow
Best Wine Experience - Ulster: Ora Wine and Tapas
Best Customer Service - Ulster: Noble
Best Café - Ulster: Ursa Minor
Best Sustainable Practices - Ulster: No 14 at the Georgian House
Local Food Hero - Ulster: Johnny Mcdowell, Indie Fude

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