Just Eat Ireland launches 12th annual awards
The winner of Just Eat’s Independent Restaurant of the Year will receive a €100,000 prize fund
Print3 February 2026
Just Eat Ireland has recently announced the launch of its 12th annual awards, recognising excellence across restaurants, grocery and retail partners at a time when the foodservice sector continues to operate under a challenging economic landscape.
The Just Eat Awards highlight Just Eats partners that underpin Ireland’s on-demand food and retail economy, from independent and family-run restaurants to national chains and retail brands, recognising those that continue to deliver quality, value, and service despite rising operational costs and ongoing uncertainty around VAT.
Expanded categories
Reflecting the continued evolution of Ireland’s food scene and changing consumer demands, this year’s awards introduce new and expanded categories, including Best Healthy & Salads, alongside established categories such as Best Lunch, Best Mexican and Best Grocery & Retail.
In total, 105 restaurants have been shortlisted nationwide across twelve categories.
The top award, Independent Restaurant of the Year, will be presented to the partner that secures the highest number of public votes across both its individual category and overall.
In addition to the title, the winner will receive a €100,000 prize fund, providing a significant opportunity to invest in brand visibility, customer acquisition, and long-term growth.
Customer voting plays a central role in the awards, with Just Eat customers invited to support the partners they order from most frequently, spanning across meals, groceries and everyday essentials.
Every vote cast will also be entered into a draw to win free Just Eat for a year.
Commenting on the launch, Amanda Roche-Kelly, managing director at Just Eat Ireland, said: “Restaurants and retailers across Ireland are operating in an increasingly challenging environment, with rising costs, tighter margins and ongoing uncertainty around VAT continuing to impact the sector.
“Despite this, our partners consistently deliver for customers, maintaining high standards of food, service, and reliability.
“The Just Eat Awards are about recognising that commitment while providing tangible, commercial support.
“By awarding a €100,000 prize fund to our Independent Restaurant of the Year, we’re making a meaningful investment in helping one outstanding partner strengthen their brand, reach new customers, and continue to grow in 2026.”
For more information on the 12th annual Just Eat Awards, visit https://www.just-eat.ie/awards/2025/ie/home/,
The Just Eat Awards shortlist for 2026 are as follows:
· Best Breakfast & Coffee: Bare Pantry, Cafe 105, Couple of Mugs, Lark Bistro, Ten10, White Moose Cafe.
· Best Lunch: Amuri By Day, Carved, Farmer Browns, Gourmet Food Parlour, Griolladh, Little Geno’s, Meltd, The Spitjack.
· Best Healthy & Salads: Chopped, Greenville Deli, Mix Greens, Shaka Poke, Urban Health.
· Best Indian & Nepalese: Daata, Dosa Dosa, Handi, Kashmir Nepalese, Kathmandu Kitchen, Kiisaan Dublin, Sitar Indian Restaurant & Takeaway, Spice India, Tadka House, Thali Nepal Restaurant, The Cinnamon Garden
· Best Burger & American: Cluck Chicken, Fat Phill’s, Firebyrd, Handsome Burger, Hogs & Heifers, Hush Burger, Locke Burger, Mad Egg
· Best Chain: Apache Pizza, Boojum, Camile Thai, Domino’s, Hillbilly’s, KFC, McDonald’s, Summer Inn, Supermacs, Zambrero
· Best Mexican: Amigos, Banditos, Changarro, Namo, Pablo Picante, Papi Chulo
· Best Asian: Fujiyama, Hawker by Hang Dai, Hong Kong Wonton, Koi Fusion Restaurant, Lin Kee, Mayumi, Orient Asian Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Red Torch Ginger, San Sab, Soba Asian Street Food, Sushida, Wabisabi Sushi and Noodles Bar, Park Kitchen
· Best Pizza: Caffe 500, DOH Proper Pizza City Centre, Dublin Pizza Company, Fired Up Pizza, Il Forno, Mario’s Wood Fired Pizza, Pizza and Pasta Napoli, Sano Pizza, Squaredish Pizza, UNO Pizza
· Best Middle Eastern: Amba, Berliner, Chick’s Out, Falafel Dundrum, Four Liars Syrian Restaurant, Izz Cafe, Passion 4 Food
· Best Chipper: Giovann’is Fish and Chips, Lennox’s MacCurtain Street, Leo Burdocks, Lyons, Marsellas (Legends), O’Reilly’s Fish and Chips, Salt N Pepper, San Marino, The Fish Shack
· Best Grocery & Retail: Applegreen, Centra, CEX, Circle K, Dunnes Stores, Lynott Jewellery, Maxi Zoo, Meaghers Pharmacy, Molloys, Shuppa, SPAR
Read more: Just Eat pauses delivery to back Dublin Pride
© 2026, ShelfLife by Ryan Brennan
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