Three new Michelin stars highlight quality of Irish cuisine
The island of Ireland’s excellent culinary offering has been recognised with the award of three new Michelin stars.
Carton House, Maynooth, Co Kildare
In its 2025 listing, the prestigious Michelin food guide has awarded a star to three Irish restaurants while three others have picked up a Bib Gourmand.
At five-star Carton House in County Kildare, the Morrison Room, under the direction of 30-year-old head chef Adam Nevin, was praised for a contemporary menu that features “an abundance of first-rate produce” together with “some wildcard flavour combinations”. The judges also commented on the breathtaking opulence of the dining room.
Another grand manor house, Ballyfin Demesne in County Laois, also received a star for its fine dining and use of local produce sourced from the estate’s walled gardens. The guide complemented the technical skill of the kitchen team who produce food with “bags of flavour”. The Regency-style elegance of the State Dining Room was also admired.
Ballyfin Demense, County Laois
The third new Michelin star was awarded to Lignum in County Galway, a restaurant that offers refined but relaxed dining with pared back décor and bare wooden tables. The food is cooked over the raw flames from a wood-burning stove adding “a delicious smoky dimension to the creative dishes".
In Belfast, MrDeanes received a Bib Gourmand, the award that recognises restaurants that offer refined cuisine at an affordable price. The restaurant, which only opened in 2024, is the second one in the Deane stable to hold the distinction, with Deanes at Queens having held a Bib Gourmand for several years.
Daróg Wine Bar in Galway city was honoured twice, receiving a Bib Gourmand for its sharing plates while its sommelier Zsokt Lukás clinched Sommelier of the Year. And in the village of Baltimore Cork, Baba'de received a Bib Gourmand for its wonderful “Turkish flavours married with Irish produce”. It’s the second Michelin award for chef Ahmet Ded whose Dede restaurant nearby holds a 2-star Michelin accreditation.
County Cork is considered to be the food capital of Ireland and has nine Michelin recognised restaurants including 2-star Terre which the Michelin Guide describes as “an experience to remember”.
Across all of the top-rated restaurants on the island of Ireland there is a clear commitment to using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, not only to create fantastically fresh and flavoursome dishes but also to meet sustainability goals.
Kai Restaurant, Galway
An outstanding example of this is Kai in Galway, which holds a Michelin Green Star that is awarded to restaurants that combine “culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments”. The restaurant is one of two on the island to be awarded the distinction alongside another County Galway eatery Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites on the beautiful Aran Islands.