THE best restaurants on the island of Ireland have been named by the Michelin Guide - with some new names added to the list for 2018.
Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare has been awarded a Michelin Star, increasing to 11 the overall number of Michelin Star restaurants in the Republic of Ireland.
Seven newcomers join the list of 20 Bib Gourmand recipients in the Republic - an award that recognises establishments that offer good food at affordable prices of £28 or less for a three-course meal.
They are:
Bastible (South Circular Road, Dublin)
Richmond (Portobello)
Forest & Marcy (Ranelagh)
Craft (Terenure)
Morrissey’s (Doonbeg)
Kai (Galway City)
TwoCooks (Sallins)
Others, all of which retain Bib Gourmand status from earlier years, are 1826 Adare (Adare); Aldridge Lodge (Duncannon); Bastion (Kinsale); Chart House (Dingle); Copper Hen (Tramore); The Courthouse (Carrickmacross); Sha-Roe Bistro (Clonegal) and Giovannelli (Killorglin).
Other restaurants that hold their Michelin Star from previous years are the two-star Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud and the one-star Chapter One, L’Ecrivain and The Greenhouse in Dublin City, and Heron & Grey in Blackrock village.
Elsewhere, other one-star restaurants are Aniar and Loam in Galway City, Kilkenny's Campagne and Lady Helen at Mount Juliet Hotel and House Restaurant at Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore in Co. Waterford.
Menwhile Northern Ireland restaurant Noble in Holywood, Co. Down has also been awarded Bib Gourmand status for its seasonal menu and evolving wine list.
This increases the number of Northern Ireland establishments awarded a Bib Gourmand in this year’s guide to seven.
Retaining their awards from last year are:
Fontana (also in Holywood)
Belfast’s Deanes at Queen’s
Bar+Grill at James’ Street South
Home in Wellington Place
Old Schoolhouse Inn (Lisbane, Newtownards)
Wine & Brine (Moira)
Two Belfast restaurants - Eipic (Howard Street) and Ox (Oxford Street) have retained their Michelin Star status.
In Dublin city, Delahunt (Camden Street), Etto (Merrion Row), Pichet (Trinity Street), Pigeon House (Clontarf) and Pig’s Ear (Nassau Street) retain their Bib Gourmand status.
This year’s Michelin Guide lists a total of 74 establishments in Northern Ireland and 350 in the Republic of Ireland.
The Great Britain & Ireland 2018 Michelin guide is priced at £16.99 and available from Thursday, October 5.
