Amidst a backdrop of gastronomic excellence, the winners of The Northern Ireland Restaurant Awards 2023 have been unveiled.

These awards acknowledge restaurants that provide exceptional, upscale dining experiences. They celebrate the combination of exquisite cuisines, impeccable services, and elegant ambiances that create memorable fine dining outings.

These awards also showcase the diverse talents and culinary prowess of restaurants in Northern Ireland, highlighting their contributions to the region’s dining scene and recognising their commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to their guests.

The recipients of these coveted awards have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to culinary excellence, pushing boundaries, and offering unforgettable services. Their passion, creativity, and dedication have earned them well-deserved recognition.

A Spokesperson for The Northern Ireland Restaurant Awards said: “These Awards serve as a platform to highlight the outstanding contributions of restaurants and individuals who play a vital role in shaping Northern Ireland’s vibrant food scene. By acknowledging their achievements, we aim to inspire continued innovation, collaboration, and growth within the industry.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and finalists of The 1st Northern Ireland Restaurant Awards 2023. Their commitment to excellence has undoubtedly raised the bar for the country’s culinary landscape.”

The winners of The 1st Northern Ireland Restaurant Awards 2023 are:

Fish & Chips Restaurant of the Year

Rolo’s Traditional Fish and Chips (Antrim)

Burger Restaurant of the Year

Phat Bastrd Burger (Bangor)

Noodles Restaurant of the Year

Thap Thai (Carrickfergus)

Hotel Restaurant of the Year

Portrush Atlantic Hotel (Portrush)

European Restaurant of the Year

Deanes EIPIC (Belfast)

Spanish Restaurant of the Year

Pacha Restaurant (Newcastle)

Mediterranean Restaurant of the Year

Chef and Manager (Newtownards)

Italian Restaurant of the Year

Scalini (Belfast)

Turkish Restaurant of the Year

Turkish Kebab and Pizza House (Lisburn)

Lebanese / Arabic Restaurant of the Year

Cedar Restaurant (Londonderry)

Restaurant Team of the Year

Guapo Fresh Mexican (Londonderry)

Curry Restaurant of the Year

The Jharna (Belfast)

Pizza Restaurant of the Year

Pizza on the Square (Belfast)

Indian Restaurant of the Year

The Naz Indian Cuisine (Belfast)

Bangladeshi Restaurant of the Year

Bangla (Bangor)

Chinese Restaurant of the Year

The Welcome Restaurant (Belfast)

Japanese Restaurant of the Year

Sushi Cafe (Belfast)

Nepalese Restaurant of the Year

Kathmandu Inn (Ballyclare)

Thai Restaurant of the Year

Thaitanic Cuisine (Belfast)

Mexican Restaurant of the Year

Bebe Adrianos Mexicanos (Bangor)

Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

Sperrin Restaurant (Ballycastle)

Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year

Umi Falafel (Belfast)

Buffet Restaurant of the Year

Steamboat (Belfast)

Outstanding Restaurant of the Year

The Top of the Town (Antrim)

Best World Cuisine

Deanes at Queens (Belfast)

Street Food Restaurant of the Year

Hungry Hungarian (Armagh)

Seafood Restaurant of the Year

Lobster Pot (Strangford)

Family Restaurant of the Year

Scalini (Belfast)

Romantic Restaurant of the Year

Wine and Brine (Craigavon)

Best of Belfast

Neill’s Hill Brasserie

Sushi Restaurant of the Year

Sushi Cafe (Belfast)

Best of Northern Ireland

AMPM (Belfast)

Country Restaurant of the Year

The Hungry Goat (Dungannon)

Diner of the Year

The Olderfleet Bar & Restaurant (Larne)

Restaurant of the Year

No 14 at The Georgian House (Newtownards)