Taste of Ulster Members Toast Success at Ulster Regional RAI Awards
Taste of Ulster members were prevalent among the list of winners at the 2026 Ulster regional heats of the Restaurant Association of Ireland Awards.
The event was held on Tuesday 24th March, 2026 at the Armagh City Hotel.
Best Restaurant in Antrim went to The Muddlers Club in Belfast. Best Chef awards were given to Stevie Toman from OX in Belfast and Darragh Dooley at Killeavy Castle Estate in Armagh.
Paul Vaughan from James St got the gong for Best Restaurant Manager in Antrim. Davina McGowan from Wine and Brine won that accolade for Down. Margaret Elliot-Tredinnick won the Fermanagh Best Restaurant Manager award for her work at the Dog and Duck Inn.
The Oak Room Restaurant at the Ebrington Hotel in Derry/Londonderry was named Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant for the county. The Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Resort won the Fermanagh award for that category; for Tyrone, it went to Corick House Hotel and Spa and for Armagh; Killeavy Castle Estate. The Catalina Restaurant also won Best Wine Experience in Fermanagh.
The Best Casual Dining in Antrim prize was awarded to the Square Bistro.
The Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine accolade for Antrim was awarded to Beau. Ardtara Country House won Best Customer Service in Derry/Londonderry. Lo and Slo won Best Sustainable Practices for that county. It went to Clandeboye Lodge Hotel for Down and Killeavy Castle Estate for Armagh.
Waterman House was named Innovator of the Year in Antrim. Jordan Weir from The Dairy in Gleno was named Local Food Hero for Antrim, while Emily Joy-McCorkell was the choice for Local Food Hero in Derry/Londonderry.
The all-island awards will take place at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin on Monday May 18th, 2026.
Congratulations to all our members. Good luck in Dublin!
