Ireland has three new Michelin-starred restaurants, and two new Bib Gourmands, after the 2025 guide was released this evening. The three new stars went to The Morrison Room in Kildare, Lignum in Galway, and the restaurant at Ballyfin Demense in Laois. New Bib Gourmands, awards for good restaurants offering refined cuisine at an affordable price, were given to Daróg Wine Bar in Galway, Baba'de in Cork, and Mr Deane's in Belfast.
A star was awarded to The Morrison Room in the five-star Carton House in Kildare, and twenty-eight year old head chef Adam Nevin, who took over in September 2023, after returning home from London where he was Head Chef at The Grill at The Dorchester. They were added to the Michelin guide in 2024, with inspectors praising the "breathtaking room" with a "menu matches it for opulence with an abundance of first-rate produce" and "strong classical technique but some wildcard flavour combinations". The dinner menu is currently €110, with the tasting menu €140, but that may jump after tonight.
Lignum in Galway finally got their star, after a five year wait in which they made it very clear that was the end goal. Chef proprietor Danny Africano and partner Molly Keane, the restaurant's GM, opened Lignum in 2019, and have been tipped for a star since year one, with each new release bringing great disappointment for their die-hard fans. The guide called it "immensely likeable", with the wood-fired cooking lending "a delicious smoky dimension to the creative dishes". The 10-course tasting menu is currently €145.
The restaurant at Ballyfin Demense in Laois (famous for hosting Kim Kardashian and Kayne West on their honeymoon) was the third Irish addition to the one star list. Inspectors called it "a spectacular, lovingly restored Regency-era manor house that screams luxury", with opulence continuing "into the dining room, where the chefs serve fittingly impressive dishes ... with bags of flavour", completing "the rather special picture." As one of the most expensive properties to stay and eat in in Ireland, this is one for the moneybags, but at least the restaurant is now open to non-residents, with dinner at €105 - €125 depending on the menu.
 Daróg Wine Bar's Zsokt Lukás was awarded the Sommelier of the Year award, for his Galway wine bar with small plates, as well as a Bib Gourmand. The guide praised their "huge amount of passion", as well as Lukács' "infectious enthusiasm for wine", and sharing plates that are "exactingly executed, deliver on flavour and provide brilliant value for money."
Irish chef Luke Ahearne, previously at Campagne in Kilkenny, Corrigan's of Mayfair and Luca, won a star for Lita, the London restaurant where he's head chef. Here's hoping for a return home at some point in the future.
The rumour mill was rife this year that next year's awards are going to be held in Dublin. Watch this space...
