Prior to visiting Ireland, I honestly didn’t know much about the culinary scene on the island. Images of sausage, potato and fried fish came to my mind, but not much else. As I have come to learn through my work as a trip leader & tour guide in Ireland, that “lack of good food” stereotype is completely wrong. I’ve had many incredible meals in Ireland, especially in Dublin and Galway. 

Increasingly distinguishing itself as a foodie destination, Galway is a small city on Ireland’s wild Atlantic edge with a surprising number of noteworthy restaurants. 

Once only known for its lively pubs and bohemian arts scene, Galway has recently gone through a culinary revolution. I found it especially inspiring to see so many restaurants dedicated to sustainability, local ingredients and heritage cuisine. In Galway, Michelin-starred tasting menus sit comfortably alongside traditional music pubs serving oysters and stout. In this expertly curated foodie guide, I will reveal Galway’s most beloved restaurants, bistros, and bars. If you prefer video content, you can also find a summary of my favorite Galway restaurants on TikTok.

All the Best Places to Eat & Drink in Galway, Ireland

Breakfast & Coffee

Urban Grind

For an affordable yet delicious breakfast option in Galway’s West End neighborhood, pop into Urban Grind. Beloved by locals, this buzzy cafe has an eclectic menu that is vegan and vegetarian friendly. There is a nice patio out back if it is warm enough! I enjoyed delicious tofu and kimchi cakes with a poached egg, while their coffee and baked treats are also lovely.

• Address: 8 William St W
• Website: https://www.urbangrind.ie/

Coffeewerk and Press

This stylishly curated coffee and art shop in the heart of Galway feels like something out of a Scandinavian design magazine. The bright white walls, warm wood shelving and locally made art prints create an approachable minimalist vibe. I can’t recommend the espresso enough – it was the best I had in Galway. While you wait for your brew, browse the deep selection of coffee table books or pop up into the gallery space upstairs.

• Address: 4 Quay St
• Website: https://coffeewerkandpress.com/

Hyde Bar

Located inside the stylish Hyde Hotel, Hyde Restaurant offers an excellent breakfast menu for both hotel guests and the general public. The vibrant decor and quirky aesthetic match perfectly with the menu – its chaotic and diverse in all the best ways. You can get fluffy buttermilk pancakes, a classic avocado toast or a shakshuka with fresh sourdough bread.

• Address: Forster St
• Website: https://hydebargalway.ie/

Seafood in Galway

Hooked

The indisputable best place to get hearty, comforting fish dishes in Galway is Hooked. Run by a local family, this place has all the quality of high-end seafood, but in a cozy and approachable atmosphere. Their fish dishes are genuinely excellent. You’ll find all sorts of seafood dishes on the menu, ranging from a classic fried fish to fish tacos and seafood chowder. They also have daily specials, including a daily seafood mac n' cheese, which just so happens to be my favorite food of all time.

• Address: 65 Henry St
• Website: https://hookedgalway.ie/

Oscars Seafood Bistro

For a refined yet relaxed seafood experience in Galway’s West End, Oscars Seafood Bistro has earned its stripes thanks to Chef-Owner Michael O’Meara, whose passion for ethical, sustainable wild seafood underpins the kitchen’s philosophy. If you want oysters in Galway city center, this is the place! They even serve an oyster gin martini where the bar tender will shuck an oyster tableside. The menu changes daily based on what the fishermen bring in, from monkfish and scallops to lesser-known by-catch species, all prepared with sophisticated technique yet served in a relaxed bistro style.

• Address: Clan House, 22 Dominick St Upper, Galway, H91 VX03, Ireland 
• Website: http://www.oscarsgalway.com/ 

Pizza in Galway

The Dough Bros

I come to Galway often as part of my job as a trip leader and tour guide, and one place I visit on every trip is Dough Bros. Rated the best pizza in all of Ireland, the Dough Bros is one of the most hyped spots in Galway. They don't accept reservations so you'll often find a line out the door at peak hours. The line moves pretty fast, so it's worth waiting. But if you go at peak hours, you can expect to wait for ~45 minutes.

Curious if it's actually worth the wait? Go behind-the-scenes of my experience at Dough Bros on my TikTok video.

For me, the amazing pizza dough and excellent sauces create the foundation for these delicious pies. I also really enjoy the cute names and unique offerings, such as the Hail Caesar, a play on a chicken Caesar salad as a pizza. The "can't bahn mi love" is another favorite because the pork belly and pickles is *chefs kiss*. I've had almost every pizza on the menu, and I don't think there is a bad one to choose from!

• Address: Cathedral Buildings, 1 Middle St
• Website: https://www.thedoughbros.ie/

Woozza 

If the line at Dough Bros is too long, keep walking down the street to Woozza. This wood-fired pizza and pasta joint is great, and you won't feel like you're settling. They've got a variety of classic Neopolitan style pizza flavors like margarita and Parma Ham, as well as seasonal specials and creative combinations. Located on a quiet side street, you can enjoy dining al fresco on their small patio during nice days.

• Address: Middle St
• Website: https://woozzasearoad.ie/

Gourmet Grocery Stores

Sheridan's Cheese Mongers

If you don’t want to go through a fussy lunch, make your way to Sheridan’s Cheese Mongers to pick up some cheese to go. Or better yet, let the knowledgeable staff help curate a selection just for you! The company was founded in 1995, when two brothers started selling Irish farmhouse cheeses at the Galway market.

The company has expanded around Ireland, but this is the original location. You’ll find an impressive selection of hard and soft cheeses, largely from Ireland, as well as wines and accompanying items like crackers and fruit spreads. 

• Address: 14 Churchyard St
• Website: https://sheridanscheesemongers.com/

Dinner Restaurants in Galway

Il Vicolo

After my trip to Tuscany and the foodie region of Emilia Romagna a few years ago, I love rustic Italian cuisine. Naturally, Il Vicolo was right up my alley! Rooted in northern-Italian traditions with a strong reliance on local Irish produce, the kitchen presents handmade pastas, risottos and seasonal fish or meat dishes. I especially liked the oysters as well as the carbonara pasta. You’ll also find a 100% Italian wine list. The restaurant is intimate with only a handful of tables set in a stone wall room with candle light at the tables. I think it has such a warm, romantic atmosphere. 

• Address: The Bridge Mills, Dominick St Lower, Galway, H91 R1WF, Ireland
• Website: http://ilvicolo.ie/

Ard Bia at Nimmos

Housed inside a historic building directly along the harbor wall is one of Galway’s most esteemed restaurants – Ard Bia at Nimmos. This is an ideal spot for foodies with lunch or dinner seatings available. The menu features elevated yet familiar dishes with a focus on community producers and locally sourced ingredients. It also completely nails its aesthetic. I loved the quirky yet chic styling inside. You’ll need a reservation for dinner, but walk-ins are welcome at weekend brunch or weekday lunch.

• Address: Spanish Arch, The Long Walk
• Website: http://www.ardbia.com/

Rúibín

To get a sense of what contemporary Irish food is, enjoy a dinner at Rúibín Bar & Restaurant. Like many of the other restaurants on this Galway food guide, the kitchen specializes in fresh, organic and seasonal ingredients. When I sat down to look at the menu, I genuinely had a hard time choosing because everything sounded so good.

I settled on stracciatella with marinated zucchini as a starter, followed by a wild garlic gnocchi with egg yolk and asparagus for my main. Also, their cocktail menu is excellent. I had several more than I should have, because they were just so good! Overlooking the historic Galway docks, you can enjoy lovely views of the area while eating at this memorable spot.

• Address: 1 Dock Rd
• Website: https://www.ruibin.ie/

Kai

With a gloriously cluttered, bohemian ambiance, there is something about Kai that makes you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in. Maybe it's the colorful chairs, vintage portraits, or rustic wooden tables. Or maybe it is the welcoming staff who will explain anything you don't recognize on the menu without pretension or arrogance.

The whole experience just gives you the sense that you are eating in a cool person’s house

You’ll need a reservation a few weeks in advance, but the effort will be heartily rewarded. Farm-to-table is the name of the game here. Dishes are heavily inspired by seasonality and sustainable farming practices. I visited in September, so autumn ingredients were being featured. I had a stunning scallop and cauliflower dish seasoned with turmeric, pepitas, and garlic aioli. Another favorite was the Parma ham, peach, and manchego starter. If you want to learn more about their ethos and approach towards cooking, they’ve recorded a podcast episode all about it!

• Address: 22 Sea Rd
• Website: https://www.kairestaurant.ie/

Aniar

If you’ve been following my travels for a while, then you know one of my secret hobbies is dining at Michelin star restaurants. Galway only has one Michelin starred restaurant and it is Anair, which means 'from the west' in Irish. Helmed by Chef J.P. McMahon, the menu draws heavily from local & seasonal Irish products for its 12 to 24 course tasting menu.

Reservations are, obviously, required in advance. Many courses are served by the chefs themselves, some with accompanying poems. With a menu that consciously fuses traditional preservation techniques (like curing, pickling, smoking) with modern culinary finesse, Aniar is an elegant restaurant experience that you won’t soon forget. and its resolute commitment to place. 

• Address: 53 Dominick St Lower, Galway, H91 XH52, Ireland
• Website: http://aniarrestaurant.ie/

The Universal

On Google Maps, the Universal Bar shows up with a bar icon and is listed as a gastro pub. But I actually think it is more gastro than pub with a delightful menu of small plates. Driven by Head Chef Paul Lewis (formerly of KAI described above), the food is much more imaginative than your typical Irish pub fare: think seared king scallops with olive tapenade, monkfish with Basque-style piperade, or seasonal vegetarian plates. I enjoyed a beautiful grilled peach and ricotta salad during one of my summer trips in Galway. Being a bar, of course there is selection of classic cocktails, as well as beer and lots of wine.

• Address: 9 William St W
• Website: https://www.theuniversal-bar.com/

Xi'an Street Food

This is a no-frills favorite that punches way above its weight. And it has recently gone viral for its chicken spice bag, so you might find yourself waiting in line to enjoy their fiery food. Xi’an Street Food is the kind of place locals swear by for fast and flavor-packed Chinese eats. Famous for their hand-pulled biang biang noodles and spicy cumin lamb dishes, this is comfort food done with soul. And a lot of chili peppers.

• Address: 9 Quay St, Galway, H91 H5W5, Ireland
• Website: https://www.xianstreetfood.ie/

Dessert in Galway

Murphy's Ice Cream

Wander down Quay Street after dinner for a sweet treat at Murphy's. This is my favorite ice cream place in Galway. The flavors are all inspired by local ingredients and suppliers. Think dingle sea salt ice cream or Irish brown bread. The staff is SO friendly here, giving you sample after sample until you find the perfect flavor. There is almost always a line, but it moves quite fast.

• Address: 12 High St
• Website: https://murphysicecream.ie/

Pubs & Drinks in Galway

Front Door Pub

Is it a lovely day for a Guinness? Then grab a pint at the Front Door Pub! Just off the main street in central Galway, this is a classic Irish pub with a decent tap list and whiskey selection. It stood out to me though because the interior has some really good details, like a massive vintage chandelier in their sunroom or moss lined alcoves behind the bar.

• Address: 8 Cross Street Upper
• Website: http://www.frontdoorpub.com/

An Púcán

Just off Eyre Square, An Púcán is a high-energy pub where big drinks, live music and sport collide. I usually stay at Hyde Hotel just down the block, so I’ve ended many a Galway evening at An Púcán. With traditional music sessions as well as DJs and match screenings seven nights a week, it’s a go-to for groups looking for serious craic.

• Address: 11 Forster St, Galway, H91 P65D, Ireland
• Website: https://anpucan.ie/

Monroe’s Tavern

Monroe’s Tavern sits in Galway’s West End and offers a lively mix of traditional Irish music and pub ambiance. I find it is particularly well-suited for late evenings or live-music-friendly outings. With dance-floors upstairs, midweek Irish-dance nights, and a crowd that spans locals and visitors alike, it’s always a happening vibe. The food is less gourmet than some others on this list, so I’d come here after dinner not for dinner. Its strength lies in atmosphere, drink, music and the quintessential Galway pub experience.

• Address: 14 Dominick St Upper, Galway, H91 WD2H, Ireland
• Website: http://www.monroes.ie/ 

This post was originally published in August 2022 and updated multiple times after return visits to Galway.

Have questions or thoughts about this Galway restaurant guide? Tell me in the comments below!