best irish seafood experience award 2026
Good Food Ireland® Best Irish Seafood Experience Award 2026 Sponsored by BIM
Online Entry & Public Nomination
As Good Food Ireland® celebrates its 20th Anniversary, we invite consumers, visitors and supporters to help recognise the businesses that showcase the very best of Irish seafood and create memorable visitor experiences through food, hospitality and storytelling.
The Good Food Ireland® Best Irish Seafood Experience Award celebrates businesses across the island of Ireland that champion Irish fish and shellfish, support local fishing communities and help visitors connect with Ireland’s coastal heritage through authentic food experiences.
For over 20 years, Good Food Ireland® has connected visitors with the people, places and produce that define Ireland’s food culture. Through this award, we recognise businesses that place Irish seafood at the heart of their offering and help tell the story of Ireland’s waters, coastal communities and maritime traditions.
Whether you are entering your own business or nominating a favourite seafood destination, this award celebrates those who are helping visitors discover Ireland through one of its greatest natural assets — its seafood.
Why This Award Matters
Ireland’s seas provide some of the finest fish and shellfish in the world, supporting coastal communities, local economies and a rich culinary heritage. Yet for many visitors, the story behind Irish seafood remains largely undiscovered. This award recognises the businesses that are helping change that by placing Irish seafood at the centre of the visitor experience. It celebrates those who champion provenance, seasonality and sustainability while inspiring consumers to discover Ireland through Ireland’s coastal communities, seafood traditions and food culture.
As Good Food Ireland® celebrates its 20th Anniversary, this award honours the businesses that are helping showcase Irish seafood as an integral part of the authentic taste and experience of Ireland.
award criteria
Eligible businesses should demonstrate a commitment to showcasing Irish seafood as part of an authentic visitor experience.
Entries and nominations will be assessed on:
- A minimum of 30% of seafood dishes must be as Irish landed or farmed catch of shellfish and finfish.
- Promotion of seasonal and alternative Irish seafood species.
- Development of innovative and engaging seafood dishes and menu concepts.
- Staff knowledge and ability to communicate information about seafood provenance, seasonality and preparation and effectively connects customers with Ireland’s fishing communities, coastal heritage and seafood culture.
- Effective promotion and marketing of seafood both on menus and throughout the business that raises awareness of Irish seafood and creates a positive profile for Ireland’s seafood industry.
Vote and Win a Good Food Ireland® 20th Anniversary Experience
As a special thank you for supporting the Good Food Ireland® Awards, everyone who casts a vote will be entered into a draw to win a Good Food Ireland® 20th Anniversary Experience Voucher valued at €250.
The voucher can be redeemed across the Good Food Ireland® Collection throughout the island of Ireland and used towards a range of authentic Irish food, drink, hospitality and travel experiences, including overnight stays, dining experiences, artisan food shopping, cookery classes and more. By voting, you are helping to celebrate the businesses that showcase the very best of Irish seafood while also giving yourself the opportunity to enjoy the authentic taste and experience of Ireland.
Enter or Nominate Today
Help us recognise the businesses that are showcasing the very best of Irish seafood and creating memorable visitor experiences through Ireland’s coastal food culture.
Online entries and public nominations open on 22nd June 2026 and close on 27th July 2026. Public voting opens on 19th August 2026.
The Award Process
Entries and Public Nominations Open:
22nd June 2026
Entries and Public Nominations Close:
27th July 2026
Following the closing date (27th July 2026), all eligible entries and nominations will be published for public voting.
Public Voting Opens:
19th August 2026
Public Voting Closes:
2nd September 2026
The eight highest-voted businesses will be shortlisted as Finalists and notified before 9th October 2026. Each finalist will then receive an independent on-site mystery inspection conducted by the Good Food Ireland® Awards judging team. The mystery inspection will assess the overall seafood experience against the award criteria, including menu offering, provenance, storytelling, staff knowledge, presentation and visitor experience. Following the mystery inspections, the judging panel will determine the overall winner.
The winner of the Good Food Ireland® Best Irish Seafood Experience Award 2026, sponsored by BIM, will be announced at the 20th Anniversary Good Food Ireland® Gala Awards Ceremony on Monday, 16th November 2026 at the InterContinental Dublin.