Galway business has 'clean sweep' as company's restaurants win top Food Awards
Four of their businesses were awarded on the night with two coming home with top accolades
One Galway food business has cleaned up at the Irish Food Awards bringing home the top awards across four of their bar and restaurants.
Leonard Catering LTD were winners in two different categories and also bagged outstanding achievement awards for two other premises.
McHugh’s on the Tuam Road won ‘Best Traditional Irish Restaurant of the Year’ while Lydon’s in Claregalway was top of the pile for ‘Bar and Grill Restaurant of the Year’.
Peggy’s Bar and Restaurant also in Claregalway took home an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award for ‘Restaurant of the Year’ while The Village Inn in Kilchreest was awarded the same for ‘Bar and Grill Restaurant of the Year’.
A spokesperson for The Village Inn said: “We were delighted to be given the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Bar & Grill Restaurant of the Year category at the Food Awards 2026. This was alongside a clean sweep of awards for Leonard Catering LTD. Thank you to our staff, customers and everyone who voted for us as always. You are the best.”
Sticking with food news, Tripadvisor has named one Galway restaurant among its top 1% in the world awarding it a Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award.
With nearly 2,000 reviews on the popular website and a 4.6 star rating, it is no surprise to see Blake’s Brasserie On The Corner rubbing shoulders with some of the best restaurants in the world.
Tripadvisor complimented the Eglinton Street restaurant on its friendly staff as well as its adaptable menu and “world class wine selection”.
They said: “Brasserie on the Corner is a multi-award winning restaurant, specialising in seafood dishes. Regarded as one of the best restaurants in Galway, you're in for a culinary treat.
“The suppliers are local, the menus are seasonal and the wine selection is world class. All the team are friendly experts, who want you to enjoy the best dining experience.
“Breakfast, lunch, pre-theatre, and an a la carte menu are served daily. It's adjoined to Blake's Corner Bar, a traditional Irish bar with open fires and whiskey platters.”
Elsewhere, the owner of Builín Blasta Café and Retail in Spiddal has been elected President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland - the first President to represent Galway and the Gaeltacht region.
Eimear Killian succeeds outgoing President Seán Collender, who was warmly recognised for his contribution to the Association – particularly his work on the campaign to restore the 9% VAT rate for food-led hospitality businesses and the promotion of culinary tourism.
The Galway woman described it as 'a great honour' to become President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.
"Having worked in hospitality throughout my career and now running my own business in Spiddal, I understand first-hand the challenges facing our members," she said.
"Supporting businesses through the ongoing cost of doing business crisis will be a key priority during my presidency.
"I also want to strengthen connections across our industry, champion rural hospitality and ensure that our members’ voices remain at the heart of the Association’s work,” she added.