HUNDREDS gathered at an awards ceremony at the Guildhall in Derry to celebrate the north's top restaurants.
The Ulster regional final of the Irish Restaurant Awards was held in the main hall on Tuesday night.
More than 500 restaurant owners and staff took part in the awards bash, which recognised 2016's top restaurants across the nine counties.
Winners were announced for each county in various categories from 'best customer service' to 'best wine experience'.
Among the winners of the 'best restaurant' award were the Muddlers Club in Belfast, the Red Pepper in Castlederg, Co Tyrone, and the Watermill in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh.
Uluru Bistro in Armagh, Browns Restaurant and Champagne Lounge in Derry and the Boat House in Bangor, Co Down, also won the accolade for each county.
They will now compete for the regional and all-Ireland titles at the overall Irish Restaurant Awards in Dublin on May 16.
Speaking at the awards, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins said more than 70,000 nominations were cast across 14 categories.
"The Irish restaurant scene is internationally recognised for its high calibre of restaurateurs and chefs. These awards celebrate the people that make the restaurant sector the dynamic and exciting industry it is," he said.
"They are the people who provide 72,000 jobs to our economy and generate revenue in excess of €2 billion. We're recognising the talent, hard work and commitment that everyone here gives to the food industry."
