The second annual Asian Restaurant Awards were held on Tuesday 22^nd October, at Castleknock Hotel,  Dublin 15.  Over 200 guests attended the night from throughout Ireland, competing for the 50 awards on offer covering a variety of categories such as Most Authentic, Best Takeaway, Best Chef and Best Front of House. New categories this year included an Innovation Award and Best Vegetarian Restaurant.

Paul Cadden who founded the Saba group over 20 years ago, received the Outstanding Achievement Award. The Saba group now runs three restaurants, three takeaways, two food trucks and employs over 150 staff, serving award-winning Thai and Vietnamese food!

The Asian Restaurant Week and Awards were set up by former Restaurant owner 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, with Korean and Vietnamese cuisines now having their own categories.  

Founder of Asian Restaurant Awards, Paul O’Connor says ‘“it’s more important now than ever to celebrate our restaurant culture, and particularly how it has been enriched by the Asian diaspora making a home here.  These fabulous restaurants and the people behind them, enrich our lives, through their food, expressive flavours, and making the most of our wonderful Irish produce too! We are already are looking forward to next year as so many of our winners announced new openings!”

Asian Restaurant Award Winners

Most Authentic Restaurant Leinster – Indian Vibe, Navan

Most Authentic Restaurant Dublin – Andhra Bhavan

Best Connacht Food Truck or stall – Thai Pots, Sligo

Best Dublin Food Truck or Stall – Janet’s Drumcondra

Best Japanese Restaurant Leinster – Nori, Wexford

Best Japanese Dublin – Daruma, Parliament Street

Best Indian Takeaway Dublin – Zouq, Clonsilla

Best Indian Vegetarian Restaurant – Mini India Fine Dine, Cabinteely

Best Thai Dublin – Saba, Baggot Street

Best Cocktail Experience Leinster – Daata, Greystones

Best Cocktail Experience Dublin – Kinara Kitchen

Best Value Menu Leinster – Delhi Darbar, Celbridge

Best Front of House Indian, Leinster – Jodphur, Longford

Best Front of House Thai, Leinster – Saba, Kildare Village

Best Thai Restaurant Leinster – Baht, Carlow

Best Palestinian Food Stall/Truck – Al Wadi Falafel, Wexford

Best New Chinese Restaurant Dublin – Kaizen, Blanchardstown

Best Nepalese Restaurant Dublin – Kathmandu Kitchen

Best Wine Experience Dublin – Ruchii, Blackrock

Best Food Stall/Truck Dublin – Delhi 2 Dublin

Best Neighbourhood Restaurant – Kajjal, Malahide

Best New Restaurant, Ulster – Guru Belfast

Best Korean Restaurant Connacht – Olives Seoul Food, Sligo

Best Nepalese Restaurant Munster – Ritu, Cork

Best Restaurant Manager Connacht – Zaiqa, Roscommon

Best Restaurant Manager Ulster – Raju, Chilli Lounge Cavan

Best Restaurant Manager Leinster – Pink Salt, Bray

Best Asian Fusion Leinster – Tapau, Arklow

Best Dim Sum Dublin – Big Fan, Aungier Street

Best New Restaurant Dublin – Andhra Bhavan, Abbey Street

Best Chinese Front of House Team, Dublin – Bites by Kwanghi

Best Thai Takeaway Dublin, – Saba to Go

Best Front of House Dublin – Daata

Best Chinese Lunch Dublin – Ka Shing, Wicklow Street

Best Innovational Event – Taza, Artane

Best Vietnamese Restaurant – Hanoi Hanoi, Capel Street

Best Indian Front of House Dublin – Indie Spice Grill, Swords

Best Chef Leinster – Sanjay, Birr

Best Indian Restaurant Leinster – Koyla, Dunboyne

Best Pakistani Restaurant Leinster – Taj Palace, Ratoath

Best Restaurant Manager Munster – Bibek, Coriander

Best Chef Dublin – Arshad Arsani, Taza Raheny

Best Restaurant Manager Dublin – Talha Pasha, Kinara

Best Restaurant Ulster – Chilli Lounge, Cavan

Best Restaurant Connaught – Zaiqa, Ballinasloe

Best Restaurant Munster – Coriander, Ballincollig

Best Chinese Restaurant Dublin – Hang Dai

Best Pakistani Restaurant Dublin – Daata

Best Indian Restaurant Dublin – 3 Leaves

Best New Nepalese Restaurant Dublin – Diwali, Camden Street

The awards, founded by Suzanne Campbell and Paul O’Connor are kindly sponsored by Cobra beer, Asia Market, FBD Hotels, Postree, Whelehan’s Wines and The Galway Kitchen.

Website: www.asianRestaurantawards.ie

Twitter: @AsianIrishFood

Insta: @asianRestaurantweek

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