Cork’s Dede Named Restaurant of the Year at the 2025 Food & Wine Awards
Cork’s Dede Named Restaurant of the Year at the 2025 Food & Wine Awards
Words: Hannah Lemass
Last night, the who’s who of the gastronomic world gathered as the Irish Food & Wine Restaurant of the Year Awards took place in the glamorous surroundings of the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.
Some of the best of the best, from Michelin-star icons to casual eateries, wine bars and bakers, were in the mix for a major celebration of culinary talent.
Attendees at the historic hotel were treated to a slap-up meal while celebrating the winners in each of the categories that focused on the best of each county, as well as overall and stand-alone winners.
The Restaurant of the Year title went to Dede, the two Michelin-starred restaurant in Baltimore, West Cork, which offers lunch and dinner crafted using the very best of Irish and Turkish seasonal ingredients. Chef Ahmet Dede is a master at creating a warm, relaxed atmosphere at his restaurant, serving perfectly balanced dishes that celebrate both the local area and his Turkish heritage.
Other major winners on the night included Paul McNamara of Lena and Uno Mas, who was named Chef of the Year; Bar Pez in Dublin, which took home the award for Best Casual Dining; and Bar 1661, which was crowned Best Cocktail Experience.
Here’s the full list of those who came out on top.
NATIONAL AWARDS
HALL OF FAME
👑Winner: Alan Kerloc’h, Sommelier, Ox, Belfast
CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE YEAR
👑Winner: Dunmore House, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Highly commended: Hera
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
👑Winner: John Kearns, Priory Market, Dublin
Highly commended: Jason O’Brien, Odaios Foods
HOTEL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
👑Winner: Owenmore Restaurant at Ballynahinch Castle
Highly commended: The Saddle Room, The Shelbourne
CAFE OF THE YEAR
👑 Winner: Café Rua, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Highly commended: Izz Café, Cork
PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR
👑Winner: Gökhan Göbayrak, Dede, Cork
Highly commended: Linda Sergodou, The Pullman
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
👑Winner: Lena, Dublin
Highly commended: Comet, Dublin
YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR
👑Winner: Shauna Murphy, Terre
Highly commended: Richie Castillo, Kaldero/Bahay
CUSTOMER SERVIVE OF THE YEAR
👑Winner: The Old Spot
Highly commended: Mamó
Best Cocktail Experience
👑 Winner: Bar 1661, Dublin
Highly commended: Pigs Lane, Killarney
REGIONAL AWARDS
OVERALL
BEST RESTAURANT
👑Winner: Dede, Baltimore
BEST CHEF
👑Winner: Paul McNamara
BEST CASUAL DINING
👑Winner: Bar Pez, Dublin
BEST WINE EXPERIENCE
👑Winner: Daróg, Galway
CONNACHT
BEST RESTAURANT
👑Winner: Lignum
Highly commended: The Dining Room
BEST CHEF
👑Winner: Danny Africano
Highly commended: Patrick Phillips
BEST CASUAL DINING
👑Winner: Wa Sushi
Highly commended: The Dough Bros
BEST WINE EXPERIENCE
👑Winner: Daróg, Galway
Highly commended: Fawn
LEINSTER
BEST RESTAURANT
👑Winner: The Lady Helen, Mount Juliet Estate
Highly commended: Sika
BEST CHEF
👑Winner: Adam Nevin
Highly commended: Niall O’Sullivan
BEST CASUAL DINING
👑Winner: Bearú
Highly commended: Dubh
BEST WINE EXPERIENCE
👑Winner: The Lady Helen, Mount Juliet Estate
Highly Commended: Conlon’s Wine Bar
DUBLIN
BEST RESTAURANT
👑Winner: Mamó
Highly commended: Liath
BEST CHEF
👑Winner: Paul McNamara
Highly commended: Jutarat Suwankeree
BEST CASUAL DINING
👑Winner: Bar Pez
Highly commended: The Old Spot
BEST WINE EXPERIENCE
👑Winner: Green Man Wines
Highly commended: Row Wines
MUNSTER
BEST RESTAURANT
👑Winner: Dede
Highly commended: Gregans Castle
BEST CHEF
👑Winner: Aisling Moore, Goldie
Highly commended: Miguel Frutos
BEST CASUAL DINING
👑Winner: Goldie
Highly commended: St Francis Provisions
BEST WINE EXPERIENCE
👑The Beach House
Highly commended: Union Wine Bar and Kitchen
ULSTER
BEST RESTAURANT
👑Winner: Lír
Highly commended: Roam
BEST CHEF
👑Winner: Pearson Morris
Highly commended: Ciaran Sweeney
BEST CASUAL DINING
👑Winner: Banh Boy
Highly commended: Umi
BEST WINE EXPERIENCE
👑Winner: Noble
Highly commended: 2 Taps
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!
