Bureau best for food, say judges

The Whiteabbey establishment took the title at the Pub of the year awards and only narrowly missed out on the overall best pub award.

The judges praised management at the Bureau for creating the perfect dining experience, blending fresh ingredients, an innovative menu, delicious food and attentive service.

Mark Stewart, chairman of Pubs of Ulster said: “This year’s Pub of the Year Awards have once again highlighted the quality that exists in the trade right across Northern Ireland.

“We have world class pubs right on our doorstep and the awards allow us to recognise this by rewarding the excellence that exists in the industry.

“I would like to thank all the pubs who entered this year’s awards and congratulate all the winners, especially Bureau by the Lough, for showcasing the very best that the local pub trade has to offer.”

The Pub of the Year Awards is the culmination of an extensive search for the best pubs in a range of categories across Northern Ireland.

Finalists were selected following an extensive judging process and were judged, depending on their category, by written submissions, interviews or by independent mystery shoppers.

An independent judging panel comprising of Martin Breen, editor of the Sunday Life, Gary McDonald, business editor of the Irish News, Adrienne McGill, business editor of the News Letter, Paul Connolly, managing editor of the Belfast Telegraph and Louise Murphy, editor of Hospitality Review decided on the overall winners.