Local business wins at Irish Takeaway Awards

Local cafe The Balcony, based in Ganly's in Athlone, has been awarded the Best Breakfast at the Irish Takeaway Awards.

The awards took place in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sligo on Monday, February 24.

Five other businesses were in the running for the award, with The Balcony coming out on top.

The cafe has been run by Badia Zaidi since 2022, and has gone from success to success.

"It's a great feeling," he told the Westmeath Independent. "This is my third year in business, and we have won awards for the past two years."

The business was previously awarded the Best Cafe at the Irish Takeaway Awards in 2024.

Mr Zaidi explained how they were selected for the award.

"The Irish Takeaway Awards sent in a mystery shopper - they don't tell you they're coming. When they paid they let us know they'd be in touch."

The cafe currently employs four full-time staff as well as four part-time staff, and serves a delicious offering of pastries, hot beverages, lunch, and breakfast foods.