In the end, the long-awaited first-ever Irish three-star restaurant failed to materialise at Monday night’s Michelin Guide Ireland & Britain Awards Ceremony 2026 at Dublin’s Convention Centre. In fact, the guide announced no new three-star restaurants, although the existing trio — all British — retained their top status. Many had believed the first Irish staging of the ceremony signalled a planned unveiling of Ireland’s first three-star restaurant, but the home crowd ultimately had slim pickings to cheer, as pre-match expectations of a landmark night fizzled out. The two new Irish starred restaurants were joined by 18 other new one-star recipients, while five Irish Bib Gourmand winners, announced earlier in the week, formed part of an overall total of 37 restaurants recognised. So the wait continues — at least another year — for Ireland’s first three-star restaurant, and while the ceremony itself proved something of a damp squib, it was quickly forgotten amid the cocktail afterparty downstairs.

Source: Irish Examiner February 10, 2026 01:25 UTC