The inaugural Asian Restaurant Awards were held last night, Tuesday 7th November, at Castleknock Hotel, Dublin 15. Over 200 guests attended the night from throughout Ireland, competing for the 43 awards on offer covering a variety of categories such as Best New Indian Restaurants, Japanese Restaurants, Fine Dining, Front of House and many more. Asheesh Dewan of the Jaipur Group, which includes Jaipur Dalkey, Jaipur Malahide, Ananda Dundrum and Chakra Greystones received the Outstanding Achievement Award.
The Asian Restaurant Week and Awards were set up by former restaurateur and hospitality consultant Paul O’Connor and food writer and journalist Suzanne Campbell to celebrate and highlight the ever-expanding Asian Food scene in Ireland. From establishing the well-known Irish Food Writing Awards in 2021, they wanted to celebrate and reward the cuisines, restaurants and chefs who have enriched Ireland in so many ways.
Restaurants finalists were from both Northern and Southern Ireland representing food from China, Japan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and cuisines from the South East Asian region.
Founder of Asian Restaurant Awards, Paul O’Connor says ‘Having been involved with Asian food businesses for many years the community was continually asking me to host something to celebrate Asian food in Ireland. So this restaurant week and awards celebrate the varied cuisines and culture of India and countries in this region.’
Asian Restaurant Award Winners
Best New Indian Restaurant, Munster
Ritu, Cork
Best New Indian Restaurant, Ulster
Guru, Newry
Best New Indian Restaurant, Leinster
Jodphur, Longford
Best New Indian Restaurant, Dublin
Taza, Raheny
Best New Napalese Restaurant
Everest, Clongriffin.
Dublin Indian
Best Early Evening Menu, Dublin
Khushee, Sandymount
Best Casual Restaurant, Dublin
Zouq, Clonsilla
Best Street Food, Dublin
Delhi to Dublin
Best Street Food, Connaught
Thai Pots, Sligo
Best Neighbourhood Restaurant, Dublin
Jaipur, Malahide
Best Front of House, Dublin
Vermillion, Terenure
Best Front of House, Leinster
Daata, Bray
Special Community Award
Haldi by Manish, Rush, for their autism friendly Sunday afternoons
Best Fine Dining, Dublin
Ananda, Dundrum
Best Fine Dining, Leinster
Chakra, Greystones
South East Asian
Best New Dim Sum, Dublin
Lucky Tortoise, Temple Bar
Best Dim Sum Restaurant, Dublin
Bites by Kwanghi, Dublin Docklands
Japanese
Best Japanese Restaurant, Leinster
Nori, Wexford
Best Japanese Restaurant, Munster
Sakura, Cork
Best Japanese Restaurant, Dublin
Okky, Aungier St
South East Asian
Best Front of House South East Asian, Leinster
Saba, Kildare Village
Best South East Asian Restaurant, Leinster
Tapau House, Arklow
Best Cocktail Experience South East Asian
Saba, Baggot Street
Best Front of House South East Asian, Dublin
Siam Thai, Dundrum
Best South East Asian Takeaway
Saba to Go, Rathgar
Best South East Asian
Nightmarket, Ranelagh
Dublin, Indian
Best Indian Takeaway, Dublin
Masala, Killiney
Best Children’s Menu, Dublin
Taza, Artane
Best Nepalese Restaurant, Dublin
Kathmandu Kitchen, Dame Street
Best Neighbourhood Chef, Dublin
Joginder Singh, Spice Village, Terenure
Best Neighbourhood Restaurant, Leinster
Pink Salt, Bray
Best Wine Experience, Dublin
Ruchii, Blackrock
Best Indian Restaurant Cocktail Experience
Kinara Kitchen, Ranelagh
Best Restaurant Manager, Dublin
Talha Pasha, Kinara Kitchen
Best Restaurant Manager, Leinster
Aashim Bajaj, Cinnamon Garden
Diner’s Choice Restaurant
Daata, Bray
Best Chinese Restaurant
Big Fan, Dublin
Best Chef, Leinster
Sanjay, Sanjay’s Kitchen
Best Chef, Dublin
Santosh Thomas, 3 Leaves, Blackrock
Best Indian Restaurant, Munster
Coriander, Cork
Best Indian Restaurant, Connaught
Zaiqa, Roscommon
Best Indian Restaurant, Ulster
Chilli Lounge, Cavan
Best Indian Restaurant, Leinster
Cinnamon Garden, Ashbourne
Best Indian Restaurant, Dublin
Daata, Glastule.
Outstanding Achievement Award
Asheesh Dewan
The awards, founded by Suzanne Campbell and Paul O’Connor are kindly sponsored by Cobra beer, Asia Market, FBD Hotels, The Chai People, Postree, Ballygowan and Whelehan’s Wines.
Website: www.asianrestaurantawards.ie
Twitter: @AsianIrishFood
Insta: @asianrestaurantweek