<strong>Heron & Grey, Dublin:</strong> Irish front-of-house manager Andrew Heron (left) and Australian chef Damien Grey (right) won Ireland's only new Michelin star in 2016 for their Dublin restaurant Heron & Grey.
Heron & Grey, Dublin: Irish front-of-house manager Andrew Heron (left) and Australian chef Damien Grey (right) won Ireland's only new Michelin star in 2016 for their Dublin restaurant Heron & Grey.
Courtesy Heron & Grey
<strong>Heron & Grey, Dublin: </strong>The tiny 24-seater restaurant opened in 2015 in the unassuming surroundings of Blackrock Market. The premises were formerly a no-nonsense "greasy spoon"-style café.
Heron & Grey, Dublin: The tiny 24-seater restaurant opened in 2015 in the unassuming surroundings of Blackrock Market. The premises were formerly a no-nonsense "greasy spoon"-style café.
Courtesy Heron & Grey
<strong>Harry's Shack, Portstewart:</strong> A new generation of Irish restaurants have been making waves in recent years -- like the ideally located Harry's Shack in County Derry.
Harry's Shack, Portstewart: A new generation of Irish restaurants have been making waves in recent years -- like the ideally located Harry's Shack in County Derry.
Courtesy Harry's Shack
<strong>Forest & Marcy:</strong> Opened in 2016, Forest & Marcy is a sister restaurant to the much-loved Forest Avenue. The fermented potato bread with bacon and cabbage is a modern interpretation of an Irish classic.
Forest & Marcy: Opened in 2016, Forest & Marcy is a sister restaurant to the much-loved Forest Avenue. The fermented potato bread with bacon and cabbage is a modern interpretation of an Irish classic.
Courtesy Forest & Marcy
<strong>1826 Adare, Adare:</strong> Wade and Elaine Murphy's 1826 Adare was named Best Restaurant in Limerick & Munster in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
1826 Adare, Adare: Wade and Elaine Murphy's 1826 Adare was named Best Restaurant in Limerick & Munster in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Courtesy 1826 Adare
<strong>Kai, Galway: </strong>Galway restaurant Kai is owned by another husband-and-wife team, Kiwi chef Jessica Murphy and her husband David.
Kai, Galway: Galway restaurant Kai is owned by another husband-and-wife team, Kiwi chef Jessica Murphy and her husband David.
Courtesy Kai
<strong>Mulberry Garden, Dublin:</strong> Mulberry Garden opened six years ago in the grounds of an old cottage dating from 1911. The walls are decorated with Irish wool and tables are dressed in Irish linen.
Mulberry Garden, Dublin: Mulberry Garden opened six years ago in the grounds of an old cottage dating from 1911. The walls are decorated with Irish wool and tables are dressed in Irish linen.
Courtesy Mulberry Garden
<strong>Ox, Belfast:</strong> Northern Irish chef Stevie Toman and French sommelier Alain Kerloc'h were awarded their first Michelin star in 2015 for Ox, their restaurant on Belfast's Oxford Street.
Ox, Belfast: Northern Irish chef Stevie Toman and French sommelier Alain Kerloc'h were awarded their first Michelin star in 2015 for Ox, their restaurant on Belfast's Oxford Street.
Elaine Hill/elainehillphotography.co.uk
<strong>Loam, Galway: </strong>Loam opened in 2014 just off Eyre Square in the heart of Galway City. Its name means "rich, fertile soil."
Loam, Galway: Loam opened in 2014 just off Eyre Square in the heart of Galway City. Its name means "rich, fertile soil."
Loam Restaurant by Julia Dinin Photography
<strong>Good Things, Skibbereen:</strong> Carmel Somers' Good Things Café has been serving up simple, fresh food in the gaily painted West Cork town of Skibbereen since 2012.
Good Things, Skibbereen: Carmel Somers' Good Things Café has been serving up simple, fresh food in the gaily painted West Cork town of Skibbereen since 2012.
Emma Jervis Photography/Good Things Cafe