Restaurants in Galway City
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McDonagh’s
A trip to Galway isn’t complete without stopping at McDonagh’s (something even locals confirm – we heard one exclaim happily, ‘I haven’t been here in years!’). Divided into two parts, with a takeaway counter and a cafe with long communal wooden tables on one side, and a more upmarket restaurant on the other, Galway’s best chippy churns out battered cod, plaice, haddock, whiting and salmon non-stop, all accompanied by homemade tartare sauce.
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Mustard
In the cellar of an old mill, some tables view the still-turning wheel. Burgers and excellent pizza are the thing here. Go nuts and have the Boxty Burger, a vegetarian treat made from mashed potatoes, green onions and more. Be sure to start with the ‘garlic crust’, which comes with pesto. Yum.
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Food 4 Thought
Besides providing organic and vegetarian sandwiches, savoury scones, and wholesome dishes such as cashew-nut roast, this New Age–y place is great for finding out about energy workshops and yoga classes around town. (And feel free to cheat – the BLT is excellent.)
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Sheridans on the Docks
From the talented team behind Sheridans Cheesemongers comes this excellent restaurant in a vintage stone building overlooking a harbour. The menu changes regularly, but dishes, such as cockle beignets, wild sea bass with purple sprouted broccoli and baked rhubarb, celebrate the best of locally produced foods. In winter (October to April) get a table by the fireplace. Bar No 8 downstairs is a welcoming pub.
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Delight
The name's an understatement: this hole-in-the-wall gourmet food bar is sheer heaven for sandwiches and wraps bursting with sprouts, as well as wheat-grass shots, juices and baked goods including a gooey chocolate pudding to die for. Everything, including the breakfast muesli, is made on the premises. The shop has a roaring takeaway trade, but there's also a clutch of tables.
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Sheridans Cheese Mongers
Sheridans Cheese Mongers is redolent of the superb local and international cheeses and other deli items within, many with a Med bent. Its real secret, however, is up a narrow flight of stairs. Sample from a huge wine list in an airy and woodsy room while enjoying many of the best items from below (open 2pm to 9pm Tuesday to Friday, noon to 8pm Saturday).
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Asian Tea House
A stylish addition to Galway’s dining scene, this upscale Asian restaurant reflects the owner’s years of Eastern travels. Beautiful glazed green tiles set the mood for dishes that range from Malaysia to Vietnam to China. The Malaysian sambal chicken, scores the highest on the hot meter – a rare treat in tongue-sensitive Ireland.
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H
Kirwan’s Lane Restaurant
Happily hidden on a tiny square within steps of several busy streets, Kirwan’s is not only a refuge but also a heaven for those seeking out the best of local cuisine. The menu proudly lists the provenance of the ingredients used in a variety of creative dishes. On sunny days, get a patio table at lunch.
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Oscar's Restaurant
Opening hours can be erratic, but no matter - the flamboyant and fun atmosphere at Oscar's is consistently matched by adventurous cooking, such as seared king scallops with pistachios, and roast rabbit with apricot. Meals are presented with an eye for aesthetics and served with theatrical flair.
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Gourmet Tart Co
Food porn is an apt description for the stunning array of dishes on offer here in both the deli case and at the bounteous buffet bar. Luscious salads, salmon, beautiful sandwiches and, yes, tarts that give pastry a good name. It’s all take out; enjoy your lunch on the grass by the Spanish Arch.
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Finnegan’s
Organic, schmorganic. A haven for the masses, Finnegan’s warms the soul with timeless comfort food like homemade shepherd’s pie. Look for trad standards like Irish stew, roast chicken and all-day Irish breakfasts. Rub elbows with your bus driver and find out the tricks of the trade.
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Druid Lane Restaurant
Signature main courses at this intimate restaurant include saddle of rabbit, and roasted duck breast. And while starters such as Thai fish cakes with lemon-grass dip have an international flavour, homemade desserts such as Baileys bread-and-butter pudding are as Irish as it gets.
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Ard Bia & Nimmo’s
In Irish, Ard Bia means ‘High Food’, and that’s somewhat apt, given the location in the 18th-century customs house near the Spanish Arch. Local seafood and organic produce feature on the seasonal menu. Nimmo’s, on the ground floor, is funky and has a North African bent.
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Kettle of Fish
A New Age chipper that boasts of its line-caught fish, including salmon. The sides border on the artful, which is fitting given the lovely sea-foam-green interior. Though many weekend patrons fail to appreciate the niceties, they crowd in until 4am.
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Abalone Restaurant
This place has a relaxed feel to it. There’s very fine dining in this tiny yet elegant storefront. As you’d expect from the name, seafood is the star here, but you’ll also find vegetarian treats, steaks and various global mains.
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Le Journal
Lined with leather-bound books and decorated with painted quotations of the opening phrases of classic novels, this chef-run place is an inexpensive café by day and a très elegant bistro on summer nights.
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Galway's Market
Galway’s market fills the streets around St Nicholas Church. It’s one of the region’s best and is the place to see the many briny, earthy and dairy delights of the county.
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Busker Brownes
Smartly done out in brown-on-brown tones, this suave café-bar does fine pub fare and hangover breakfasts. It's also a prime spot to catch live ragtime jazz.
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R
Da Tang Noodle House
This place on Middle St does light, healthy Chinese stir-fries and satays in a stylish paper-lantern-lit interior.
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Goya’s
Cupcake love! Cakes in all sizes are supreme at Goya’s, a Galway treasure hidden on a small square. Its cool pale-blue decor, Segafredo coffee and sweet treats make it a perfect spot to take some time out. The deli does a booming lunch trade; enjoy a sandwich at a table outside.
reviewed
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