The best venues for breakfast and brunch in Ireland have been revealed.
The winners of the 2020 Georgina Campbell Irish Breakfast Awards, conducted in association with Fáilte Ireland, were announced today.
The brunch of the year award, which was the only accolade chosen through a public vote, went to Arán Artisan Bakery and Bistro in Kilkenny.
The bakery and restaurant only opened last year and fought off 150 other nominations to scoop the prize.
Unsurprisingly, the venue was praised for its bread, made with just four ingredients, and its seasonal all-day brunch offerings featuring local produce.
The runners up in that category were Seasalt Café and Deli, Cobh, Co Cork; Kelly’s Kitchen, Newport, Co Mayo; Sweet Geranium Café, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim; and Osta Café and Wine Bar, Sligo.
Irish breakfast menu
When it comes to the hotel with the best Irish breakfast menu, the Limerick Strand Hotel came out on top.
Lough Bishop House in Collinstown, Co Westmeath had the best menu for small stays.
The five-star hotel with the best breakfast nationwide is Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.
Judges commended Executive Chef Noel McMeel for "an outstanding rendition of the traditional Ulster fry" and describes the dining experience as one "to savour".
Avalon House Hotel in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny is the best four-star hotel for breakfast thanks to its "delicious local food" and "high standard of cooking".
When it comes to three-star venues, the "splendid buffet selection" and "tempting display" of freshly baked good ensured Eccles Hotel and Spa in Glengarriff, Co Cork was the top choice.
The country house with the best moring meal was Huntington Castle and Gardens in Clonegal, Co Carlow, while The Quay House in Clifden, Co Galway won in the guest house category.
The B&B award went to Sheedy’s Doolin Boutique B&B in Doolin, Co Clare, while the visitor attraction with the best breakfast was Hillsborough Castle Café in Hillsborough, Co Down.
Ashford Castle in Co Mayo won the new sustainability award introduced this year due to its local sourcing policy of using "the best seasonal ingredients from the West of Ireland".
The Irish producer awards went to: Meat: McCarthys of Kanturk, Kanturk, Co Cork; Eggs: Belview Eggs, Drogheda, Co Louth; Dairy: The Little Milk Company, Dungarvan, Co Waterford; Fruit: The Apple Farm, Cahir, Co Tipperary; Preserves: Filligans, Glenties, Co Donegal.
The award for best Irish bread went to Rua Deli and Café in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
Food writer Georgina Campbell, who founded the awards, said: “The great thing about being able to offer a hearty Irish breakfast is that you don’t have to be the biggest to be the best and indeed, can be a venue of any size to compete in this important and competitive arena.
"Serving up a good quality breakfast can have a lasting impression on customers.
"Doing the simplest of things well is enough to encourage a return visit and build a strong reputation for your establishment, regardless of how many people you can seat."
