Success for Athlone's Thyme Restaurant and The Fatted Calf at Irish Restaurant Awards

Athlone's Thyme Restaurant and The Fatted Calf took home two awards each at the Regional Irish Restaurant Awards on Tuesday, March 11.

The ceremony took place took place at the Killashee Hotel, Kildare, where county winners from across Leinster were revealed.

The Fatted Calf took home awards for Best Customer Service, and Employee Excellence which was awarded to Robert Dasiak, while Thyme Restaurant won both the Best Restaurant in Westmeath award, with their chef John Coffey being awarded Best Chef.

Athlone businesses were highly awarded on the night, with Best Restaurant Manager awarded to Il Colesseo's Antonela Belviso, Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant going to Glasson Lakehouse, and Best Use of Social Media awarded to Garrison Coffee Co.

On the left bank of Athlone, Sean's Bar took home Pub of the Year, Bastion Kitchen took home Best Café, Best World Cuisine was awarded to Al Mezza Lebanese Restaurant, and Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine went to the Left Bank Bistro.

There were a number of other local winners which included Best Casual Dining went to Dead Centre Brewing, Glasson Glamping Pods was awarded Best Sustainable Practices, and Best Gastro Pub was awarded to The Villager in Glasson.

Over 1000 attendees gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of restaurants, cafés and food service providers across the province.

Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received nearly 165,000 public nominations this year, submitted through The Irish Times - the official media partner of the awards.

Following the completion of all regional finals, the Regional and All-Ireland Winners will be announced at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 19, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin.