Dublin, Ireland – F.X. Buckley is proud to announce that it has been awarded Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year that the restaurant group has received this internationally recognised distinction and further cementing its reputation as one of Ireland’s leading food and wine destinations.
The award recognises restaurants whose wine programmes demonstrate exceptional breadth, depth and quality, offering diners thoughtfully curated selections that complement their cuisine and enhance the overall dining experience.
Expertly curated by Alan Crowley Master of Wine and Brian Buckley, Director, the F.X. Buckley wine programme first received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence in 2022 before being elevated to the Best of Award of Excellence in 2023. The collection has successfully retained this distinction in 2024, 2025 and now again in 2026, reflecting F.X. Buckley’s ongoing commitment to building and maintaining one of Ireland’s most exceptional restaurant wine cellars.
Brian Buckley, Director of F.X. Buckley says, “Receiving this recognition for a fourth consecutive year is a tremendous honour for our family-run business. Our focus has always been on offering guests an exceptional wine experience In our wine selection we are guided by our motto of everything ‘par excellence’ and are always working to enhance and develop an outstanding range of wines on our list.”
Alan Crowley, Master of Wine says, “Our objective is to choose the very best wines, at every price point, to go with our world class steaks but always ensuring the wine list is both exciting and interesting. We are, particularly proud of our Bordeaux cellar which offers an extensive range of classic, delicious Chateaux and our Italian range of wines from all corners of Italy including many sought after top Super Tuscans. Also, our own special imported Webersburg from South Africa which is exclusive to F X Buckley in Ireland. To see our commitment recognised once again by Wine Spectator is incredibly rewarding.”
Together, the team behind F.X. Buckley strive to source the very best wines across all price points to accompany F.X. Buckley’s world-class steaks. First and foremost, wines are selected for their outstanding quality, ensuring guests can always choose from an exciting and diverse range.
The extensive wine list showcases some of the world’s most celebrated wine regions, including France, particularly Bordeaux and Burgundy, alongside Italy and Spain. It also features an impressive selection from newer and emerging wine-producing regions in the USA, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Austria, Uruguay and Lebanon.
Among the highlights is F.X. Buckley’s own South African collection from Webersburg Estate, discovered by Managing Director Stephen Buckley during a private tasting at the winery. The range includes a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc, the popular “Bastiaan” Cabernet and Merlot blend, and an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. The Webersburg wines are also featured within F.X. Buckley’s extensive collection of large-format bottles, alongside offerings from some of the world’s most prestigious wineries. The wine list is further enhanced by a remarkable Château d’Yquem collection, with vintages dating back to 1976, and an exceptional Vintage Port cellar featuring bottles from as far back as 1962.
Always looking to the future, F.X. Buckley is among the few restaurants in Ireland that annually purchases sought-after Bordeaux wines En Primeur, carefully cellaring them until they reach their optimal drinking age.
F.X. Buckley’s dedication to exceptional steaks, outstanding wines and impeccable hospitality has established it as a destination of choice for wine enthusiasts from Ireland and abroad, reflecting the group’s enduring passion for wine par excellence.
About F.X. Buckley
Long renowned as providers of Ireland’s finest premium-quality meat, F.X. Buckley has been a trusted favourite in Irish households for more than 400 years. From its origins as a family butcher, the business has evolved into one of Ireland’s most respected hospitality groups, operating award-winning steakhouses, gastropubs and bars across Dublin. Six generations of expertise and dedication ensure that sourcing and showcasing the very best Irish beef remains at the heart of The Buckley Collection.