Let’s Back Our Local Food Heroes – Vote Now in The Good Food Ireland® Food Lovers Choice Award

9th September 2025

Celebrate the flavours of Ards & North Down — your vote matters!

The countdown is on!

Voting is now open for the Good Food Ireland® Food Lovers Choice Award 2025, and it’s time for us here in Ards and North Down to get behind the incredible food and drink champions who have been nominated.

This award isn’t just about great food and drink — it’s about celebrating the people and places that put their heart and soul into what they do. From family farms and artisan producers to cosy cafés, and bustling restaurants, it’s an opportunity to show our appreciation for these local businesses.

Why Your Vote Counts

The Food Lovers Choice Award is decided entirely by the public — by you. Every single vote helps highlight the talent, passion, and dedication of these local food heroes.

Our Local Nominees

We’re thrilled to announce that 17 businesses from Ards and North Down have been shortlisted this year:

• Ballyboley Dexters
• Coq & Bull Restaurant, Clandeboye Lodge
• Counterculture Real Bread
• Echlinville Distillery
• Glastry Farm Ice-cream
• Habanero Steve’s
• Indie Fȕde, Comber
• Lightfoot Kitchen
• Lynchpin, Holywood
• Mike’s Fancy Cheese
• No.14 at the Georgian House
• Stonebridge Farm
• The Culloden Estate and Spa
• The Mallow Makers
• The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn
• The Walled Garden at Helen’s Bay
• Underground Dining

Every one of these names represents innovation, creativity, and a passion for local food and drink that deserves to be celebrated.

How to Show Your Support

It only takes a minute to vote – but it makes a big difference for the people shaping Ards and North Down’s thriving food and drink scene.

🗳️ Voting is open  September 1 – 15, 2025.

Voters have the chance to select their top three choices — 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
👉 Cast your votes here: goodfoodireland.ie/voting

Want to learn more about the awards? Visit goodfoodireland.ie/awards-2025.

Support local, celebrate local — cast your vote now.

Background

The Good Food Ireland® Awards celebrate the best in Irish food, drink and hospitality from across the entire island of Ireland. The Food Lovers Choice Award recognizes various businesses, including restaurants, pubs, cafés, hotels, food producers, and more.  

The Good Food Ireland® Food Lovers Choice Award is one of the most respected public-voted accolades in the Island of Ireland’s food and hospitality scene. It honours the incredible businesses, big and small, that go the extra mile to:

• Source ingredients locally
• Care for the environment
• Treat people and animals ethically
• Innovate responsibly
• Support their community

But above all, it celebrates the connection between these businesses and customers. This award is not just about excellence; it’s about appreciation. About recognising how your favourite places make your everyday life a little more special and a lot more delicious.