2018 Award Winners ETHNIC RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2018

Nightmarket, Dublin 6

There has been an ‘Ethnic Restaurant’ category in our awards since their inception in the early ‘90s. Originally interpreted as ‘oriental’, it now reflects the diversity of dining experience in contemporary Ireland to include all restaurants that truly represent any specific culture or cultures. Casual dining is still the big story, but many of the restaurants that are performing best are those with chefs grounded in fine dining.

Ranelagh suddenly found itself the focus of attention for lovers of authentic Thai food in 2017 when Thai-Limerick couple, restaurateur Conor Sexton and chef Jutarat Suwankeeree (R to her friends) opened their unpretentious restaurant, Nightmarket.

Named after the colourful night-time street markets found across Thailand, it is bringing a true taste of regional Thai cooking to Ranelagh and to Dublin.

Combining the best of Irish produce with recipes learned from her grandmother, R’s deeply flavoured and intense regional dishes are fragrant with memories of her homeland.

Not only has Nightmarket quickly become a firm favourite with local diners, but it soon became a destination for discerning diners from all over Ireland - and with a warm welcome, good wines and cocktails, and delicious dishes that transport the diner to Thailand with one mouthful, it’s easy to see why.