Some were hopeful that Ireland would receive its first-ever three Michelin star rating as the guide announced its 2023 restaurant guide in Ireland and Great Britain, but it was not to be this year.

Some anticipated that Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen would be awarded three stars. However, the restaurant retained its two-star rating.

In fact, no new three star restaurants were announced on Monday 27 March and all current three-star restaurants in the region remain in England.

Many were also shocked to see that Lignum in Galway did not receive a star this year, as many had anticipated it would.

There was great news for Cork this year and that was that dede, which is located in Baltimore, Co Cork, was upgraded to two stars from its original rating of one.

Another new addition was Terre, the restaurant at Castlemartyr Resort in Co Cork, which has received its first Michelin star.

All other restaurants managed to retain their ratings, with the exception of Loam, Galway, which sadly closed earlier this year, thus losing its one-star rating.

Ireland's two-star restaurants

Only dede, which is located in Baltimore, Co Cork and uses chef Ahmet Dede's Turkish influences on hyper-local Irish ingredients, is new to this highly prestigious list.

dede obtained its first Michelin star soon after it opened in 2021. Now, it has been awarded an additional star (to the delight of Irish food enthusiasts everywhere).

  • Aimsir, Celbridge, Co Kildare.
  • Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen, Dublin.
  • Restaurant Patrick Guibauld, Dublin.
  • Liath, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
  • dede, Baltimore, Co Cork.
  • Ireland's one-star restaurants

    There is only one new addition to Ireland's list of one Michelin starred restaurants: Terre, which is the main restaurant at the Castlemartyr Resort in Co Cork.

    Chef Vincent Crepel, who was born in the French Pyrenees, has been lauded for his precise technique flair for global flavour.

    His menu is heavily influenced by his work at the famous Arzak restaurant in Basque Country and also under Andre Chiang in Singapore.

    All other restaurants, with the exception of the former Loam in Galway, retained their stars from 2021.

    Notably, Aniar restaurant is celebrating 10 years of Michelin star dining in Galway.

    JP McMahon is chef, owner and operator at Aniar restaurant in Galway, which has once again retained its Michelin Star. / Sean Lydon

    Chef and owner JP McMahon, on retaining their star yet again, said: "We opened Aniar in 2011 and we were awarded our first star less than two years later.

    "While the restaurant has evolved and the food scape in Galway has unfolded, we have been consistent in providing the very best experience for our diners while remembering what the core of Aniar is, that is, to showcase the terroir of the west of Ireland."

  • Variety Jones, Dublin.
  • Glovers Alley, Dublin.
  • Bastible, Dublin.
  • Aniar, Galway.
  • Campagne, Kilkenny.
  • Lady Helen, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.
  • Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.
  • The Oak Room, Adare, Co Limerick.
  • House, Ardmore, Co Waterford.
  • Terre, Castlemartyr, Co Cork.
  • Ichigo Ichie, Cork.
  • Bastion, Kilsale, Co Cork.
  • Chestnut, Ballydehob, Co Cork.
  • Bib Gourmand restaurants

    A Michelin Bib Gourmand is awarded to the restaurants which create affordable, accessible or casual dining experiences which are also considered elevated - with carefully curated menus, well-sourced ingredients and an inviting ambiance.

    In Ireland, we have 17 Bib Gourmand restaurants, all of which are well deserving of this accolade and many of which are located outside of our city centres.

  • Courthouse, Carrickmacross, Co Cork.
  • Pichet, Dublin.
  • Spitalfields, Dublin.
  • Uno Mas, Dublin.
  • Richmond, Dublin.
  • Thyme, Athlone, Co Westmeath.
  • Volpe Nera, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
  • Sha-Roe Bistro, Clonegall, Co Carlow.
  • Éan, Galway.
  • Kai, Galway.
  • Table Forty One, Gorey, Co Wexford.
  • Everett's, Waterford.
  • Aldridge Lodge, Duncannon, Co Wexford.
  • Cush, Ballycotton, Co Cork.
  • Goldie, Cork.
  • Saint Francis Provisions, Kinsale, Co Cork.
  • Chart House, Dingle, Co Kerry.
  • Michelin Green Star

    Only one restaurant in Ireland has achieved a Michelin Green Star, which recognises restaurants which they feel are leading the way in sustainable gastronomy.

    Many Green Star restaurants have direct relationships with farmers and food producers within their locality and often go further than just their in-restaurant environmental commitments - often working with outside charitable organisations and being vocal about their ethics in regards to food systems.

    Jess and Dave Murphy at Kai, Galway. \ Julia Dunin

    In Ireland, Kai in Galway is the only restaurant to achieve both a Bib Gourmand and a Green Star in the Michelin guide.

    In conversation with Irish Country Living, executive chef and co-owner Jess Murphy said that in Kai they write their menus around farmers, fishers and growers of their locality.

    "From Steve's nettles to Kathleen's duck eggs, we're a family which has weathered many storms over the past 13 years. The Green Star means so much to all of us in Kai and it's just great to be internationally recognised for our sustainable working practises."

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