The 9 Best Restaurants in Galway, Ireland

Last updated on November 17th, 2024 at 03:49 pm

Many people think that Ireland is just meat and potatoes, but the reality is that Ireland is a foodie’s dream – even the meat and potatoes. Galway is home to a number of amazing restaurants so it’s the perfect place to explore Ireland’s varied culinary scene. Over the years of visiting Galway, I’ve tried to eat at some of the best restaurants in Galway – everything from pizza to more fine dining restaurants!

One thing I love about all of the restaurants mentioned here is that they use local produce to create seasonal menus that reflect the beautiful food available in the west of Ireland!

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The Best Restaurants in Galway, Ireland

Éan

I passed by Éan one afternoon on my way to the Galway Museum and noticed it looked like a coffee shop and bakery. But they also had a dinner menu which looked really good and they had excellent reviews so I decided to stop by on my last night in Galway.

I got there early enough to score the last unreserved table and they told me I had an hour and a half for my meal. I’ve noticed restaurants doing this more and more, but I didn’t mind as I had plans to see a musician perform!

First, the staff was amazing! They gave expert recommendations on the menu including wine pairings for each item I ordered.

Now to the menu, the restaurant is influenced by the chef’s Spanish roots so it’s tapas style except for the mains which are a bit larger. I got two appetizers, one main course, and a dessert. 

The chefs, Enda McEvoy and Sinead Meacle, that were also the creative brains behind Michelin-starred restaurant Loam (now closed), use local and seasonal ingredients so the menu changes daily. 

Every single thing I ordered was delicious. I swear there wasn’t a bad dish. I ordered the squid toast (which the waiter said was going to be a menu staple as it was so well received) and the cod squid roe to start. For my main I had a venison dish with beetroot that was heavenly. 

And to finish I had a barley dessert, it was basically barley in 3 different formats and I never knew barley could be so good.

Éan is also a wine bar, so with each course I had a different glass of wine from their extensive wine list. 

From start to finish the meal was one of the best I’ve had in ages. They have a daily-changing menu so what I had may not be on it when you visit, but I bet it’ll be good!

You NEED to eat at Éan in the heart of the Latin Quarter during your visit to Galway, but be sure to book ahead to secure your table!

This powerhouse chef team is also behind Cava Bodega, a tapas restaurant on Middle Street which would be a great alternative if you can’t get into Éan. I haven’t had the chance to eat there…yet!

Address: Druid Lane

Dela

Dela has been on my must eat list for years! I alway had it marked for dinner, but on Halloween night as I was walking by it, I heard a drunk college student say Dela has the best breakfast.

So, the next morning I headed over to Galway’s west end for breakfast at Dela and he was not wrong!

The interior is so cozy, it kind of feels like walking into warm farm house. Especially with the tree in the center adorned with lights!

There is a lot of seating, but I was able to score a table at the window. Trying to sit at a window seat is one of my best tips for eating alone while traveling solo so you can people watch!. 

Their brunch menu (which is served 7 days a week) offers an Irish breakfast, eggs benedict, a variety of toasts, and some sweet options like pancakes as well. They also have really nice cocktails if you need a little something extra to drink.

I ordered a pot of earl grey tea and the mushrooms on toast which comes with two poached eggs. It was so delicious. I checked out the tables around me too and the eggs benedict looked like a solid choice as well!

They don’t take reservations for brunch so I’d recommend getting there on the early side, especially on a weekend.

If you’d like to try their dinner, you can (and should) book a reservation to enjoy their farm to table evening menu!

Address: 51 Dominick Street Lower

Ard Bia at Nimmo’s

Any time I’m in Galway, I must go to Ard Bia at Nimmo’s for breakfast! Located just beyond the historic Spanish Arch on the famous Long Walk this cozy cottage has been serving up soul enriching food for two decades!

Nimmo’s serves creative dishes using seasonal ingredients and I have never had the same breakfast twice there. I’ve typically gone for their savory dishes, but on my most recent trip I went for buttermilk and orange pancakes with a berry compote and they were so good!

I really should write down what I get each time I go from here on out!

They’ve also added a lovely coconut matcha latte to their menu which was delicious (you know I love my matcha). 

I haven’t eaten dinner there yet, but a reservation made well in advance is necessary!

They also sell locally produced food items or you could get the cookbook to try to recreate some of the deliciousness at home.

Ard Bia also offers two accommodations in Galway and one in the Burren!

Address: Spanish Arch, The Long Walk

Blackrock Cottage

On my most recent trip to Galway, I met someone while listening to music at Tig Coili (one of the best pubs in Galway) who recommended I go to Blackrock Cottage for breakfast.

So I did!

Blackrock Cottage is located near the Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill. If you’re staying in Galway City Center you could walk there (about an hour) or you could hop on the bus for a quick ride out.

But, if you take the bus there, try to walk back, it’s a beautiful walk along Salthill Prom and one of my favorite things to do in Galway!

Blackrock Cottage won best restaurant in Galway in 2024 and is also ranked in the Top 100 of the best restaurants in Ireland! The restaurant opened in 2022 in a formerly derelict cottage that I never even noticed on previous walks out to the Blackrock Diving Tower.

Now, the cottage is home to some of the best food in Ireland! 

The cottage appears to be small from the outside and the front portion of the restaurant is housed in the cozy stone walls of the cottage. But as you walk through it’s actually quite a large space with dining overlooking Galway Bay as well as an outdoor patio for those with dogs!

I was able to snag a table on a busy Saturday morning right away in a cozy corner near the fireplace. I got the crispy potato rosti and it was packed with flavor!

Everything on the menu looked amazing as did the plates that came out to the tables around me. Their sweet treats also looked divine!

As with other restaurants mentioned here, there are no reservations for breakfast, but you need them for dinner! They’re only open for dinner from Thursday to Saturday.

They’re also associated with Alainn the container coffee shop around the corner where you can get great coffee, acai bowls, and overnight oats if you just want something quick, easy, and delicious!

Address: Blackrock House, Salthill

High Cafe

I popped into The Bunch of Grapes on Shop Street after a few drinks at Tig Coili when I was in need of some food before going to bed. They said they didn’t serve food, but recommended High Cafe which is located just upstairs from the pub.

Not knowing what to expect, I simply followed their advice and was met with a buzzing restaurant serving Moroccan and Mediterranean inspired dishes. It’s not what I was expecting, but it was exactly what I needed.

I ordered the Lamb Tagine which was beautifully spiced and felt so nourishing! I couldn’t finish the entire dish, so I took the rest home and finished it for lunch the next day and it was even better!

There were a few Tagines going out to tables as well as pizzas that looked really good!

They’re open late, until 11:00pm as well!

Address: 2 High St

Dough Bros

Speaking of pizza, I finally got to try Dough Bros pizza which I’ve seen on social media referred to as one of the best pizza places in Ireland. Now, I’m still thinking about the slices of pizza from Bambino’s in Dublin I had last year, so did Dough Bros replace it?

No.

Was the pizza good? Yea it was pretty damn good! It’s thin crust, which I love and means as a solo diner, I can eat the whole pizza!

I got the Proper Mushroom and Ham and it was really good! It’s definitely the best pizza I’ve had in Galway and it should be on your must eat list!

Address: The main location is 1 Middle St and they are also in O’Connell’s Bar beer garden on Eyre Square.

Handsome Burger

I may not be a pizza connoisseur, but I do know burgers and the burger at Handsome Burger is one of the best! My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

I like the Handsome Burger and the Smashburger but I really don’t think you can go wrong!

Their restaurant is cute and casual, perfect for a later afternoon lunch or dinner before a night out in Galway’s pubs!

Address: 49 Dominick Street Lower

The Universal

I popped into The Universal one stormy evening in Galway and found it was a great tapas bar with amazing cocktails. Sometimes you just need a cocktail amidst all of the pints! 

My visit was two years ago now, so the menu has changed, but the steak I had was great, as were the potatoes, and the cocktail!

The staff is also super friendly and welcoming!

It’s just a few doors down from The Secret Garden, one of the best cafes in Galway, that’s open late if you want a night without drinking in a pub!

Address: 9 William St.

Kai Restaurant: A Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurant

It wouldn’t be a post about all of the best places to eat in Galway without mentioning Kai. I ate here for lunch on my very first trip to Galway and I haven’t forgotten the freshness of the salad and the delicious pastry!

New Zealand-born chef Jess Murphy and her Irish husband created Kai in 2011 and it is one of Galway’s best-loved restaurants.

Lunch is casual, but if you want to eat dinner you need to make a reservation in advance. Since they use local suppliers for the freshest ingredients the menu changes daily so you’ll be in for a truly unique experience!

Address: 22 Sea Road

This is definitely not an exhaustive list of all of the amazing food you can eat in Galway. I haven’t even gotten to places outside of Galway city. But this is a great place to start and your taste buds will be dancing after eating all of this good food! If you have a great restaurant I should try on my next trip to Galway, leave a comment to let me know and I’ll add it to the list!

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