THREE restaurants in Ireland have been commended at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards - all of which are in the nation's capital.
Sole Seafood & Grill, Aqua Restaurant and Fire Steakhouse & Bar took home a gong each, demonstrating the quality of Dublin's eateries.
Sole Seafood & Grill - on South William Street - came away with the regional Luxury Seafood Restaurant award, Aqua Restaurant - in Howth - took home the continental Luxury Seafood Restaurant award and Fire Steakhouse & Bar - on Dawson Street - claimed the global award for Luxury Steakhouses.
Richie Wilson, culinary director of both Sole and Fire said: "I am so proud to be part of the team who have truly earned the recognition that these awards give us.
"Winning 'Best Global Steakhouse' with Fire is incredible. This could only have come from the passionate driving force that is our team, following the enhancements we have made to both the dining room and our menus.
"Sometimes it's harder to retain an award than win it, so for Sole to have received the award for 'Best Luxury Seafood Restaurant in Europe' once again shows how aligned our teams are, consistently delivering a truly special dining experience in Fire and Sole.
"Both awards are a testament and recognition of our team's enormous dedication to Irish provenance, in both our food and our welcome," he added.
Cuisine at Fire Steakhouse & Bar in Dublin (pic: Fire)"This has brought us to the world stage, delivering the ultimate steak and seafood experience in the heart of Dublin. The awards are appreciated all the more in the current climate, giving us an incredible boost for 2020 and renewed energy for 2021.
"I can't wait for us to open our doors once again and share with all our guests the experience that has given us these amazing awards."
The World Luxury Restaurant Awards - which have been running for five years now - aims to select the very finest places to eat around the world.
The view from a table at Aqua Restaurant (pic: Tripadvisor)They base their judgement not just on the food, but also the interior design of the place, as well as the reviews it receives.
Last year, Irish restaurants walked away with three gongs as well, with Sole and Aqua taking the plaudits.
Aqua Restaurant, in fact, has won at least one prize at four out of the five annual awards.
