TWO West Cork restaurants have ranked highly on a prestigious list of Ireland’s best dining experiences, writes Sally Collins.

Dede in Baltimore was marked as the fourth ‘Hottest Dining Room’ in Ireland in The Sunday Times 100 Best Restaurants list, while St Francis Provisions secured the thirteenth spot.

The list, compiled by renowned food guides John and Sally McKenna solidifies both establishments as some of the most sought-after restaurants to book in 2026.

Dede at the Customs House in Baltimore is one of just five Irish restaurants to hold two Michelin stars, and serves Turkish-Irish fusion dishes.

The accolade adds to the long stream of recognitions for Dede, which has received critical acclaim since its opening in July 2020.

Head chef Ahmet Dede recently won the Best Chef award at the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards Munster Regional Final.

St Francis Provisions, owned by Barbara Nealon, boasts a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which recognises establishments that offer good food at a great price.

The popular restaurant recently picked up the Michelin Guide Service Award at the Michelin Guide Ceremony for Great Britain and Ireland.

In total, five Cork dining rooms made the McKenna’s top 20 list.

Half of the top 20 restaurants were Dublin-based, with three in Galway and one each in Derry and Down.

Ballydehob’s Restaurant Chestnut and Rare at the Blue Haven Hotel in Kinsale featured on the wider top 100 list.

John and Sally McKenna said that the list highlighted ‘restaurants that are really on top of their game in every way, the destinations that define modern Irish dining.’

They added that ‘the resilience and dynamism’ of the restaurant industry was also worth celebrating: ‘Despite hard times and multiple challenges on every front, brilliant new restaurants continue to open, and continue to delight their customers.’