'We love what we do' - New Irish Michelin star winners react at glitzy ceremony in Dublin

Ireland has two new Michelin-starred restaurants following Monday evening's Michelin Guide ceremony in Dublin.

The great and the good of the culinary world across Ireland and the UK gathered in Dublin's Convention Centre on February 9 for the 2026 Michelin Guide Ceremony.

It is the first time the awards ceremony is being held in Dublin, a stamp of approval in itself of Ireland's growing reputation on the culinary landscape, and the night delivered two new stars for Ireland.

The Michelin Guide rating system began in France in 1926 and one star signifies "a very good restaurant", two stars signify "excellent cooking that is worth a detour" and three stars mean "exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey".

Picking up their first Michelin stars were The Pullman, Galway, and Greek-born head chef Angelo Vagiotis. The Pullman's dining area is three restored Orient Express carriages dating back almost 100 years. They are set on the Glenlo Abbey Estate overlooking Lough Corrib.

LIVE BLOG: Ireland's best restaurants and chefs on show at Michelin Star Awards in Dublin

Angelo was the first one-star chef awarded on Monday night and he was greeted on stage by Gordon Ramsay who was on hand to present the honours.

Also picking up their first star were husband and wife duo John and Sandy Wyer and their Forest Avenue restaurant on Leeson Street Upper in Dublin.

Reacting to the accolade, John said: “When you love what you do, it’s easy, and we love what we do. We run a lovely authentic restaurant in Dublin 4 and we love getting up in the morning.”

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in the Merrion Hotel Dublin; Chapter One in Dublin 1; Liath in Blackrock, Co Dublin; Dede in Co Cork; and Terre in Co Cork missed out on collecting a third Michelin star. They all remain two Michelin-star restaurants.

A number of Irish restaurants have already been announced of recipients of the MICHELIN Bib Gourmands – the guide's award for good food at a great price. The Irish restaurants receiving those coveted prizes recently were:

BIGFAN, Dublin
Asian, Chinese

BORGO, Dublin
Italian

Forêt, Dublin
French

Farmgate Lismore, Lismore
Traditional Cuisine

Beyond that, some of the restaurants who were also looking to earn their first star but missed out on this occasion were:

Kaldero, St Stephen's Green, Dublin

HERA, Dorset Street Lower, Dublin

The Old Spot, Sandymount, Dublin

Blackthorn, The Twelve Hotel, Bearna, Galway

BORGO, Phibsborough Road, Dublin

Vada, Stoneybatter, Dublin

Lena, Portobello, Dublin

Comet, Joshua Lane, Dublin

Amai by Viktor, Harry Street, Dublin