Where to eat in Galway
Galway eats from the Atlantic: oysters from the bay, mussels, chowder and fish and chips. The best meals are in small restaurants in the West End and in pubs in the Latin Quarter, not on the busiest part of Quay Street. Order the seafood, and book dinner at weekends.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- The West End around Dominick Street for restaurants, and the Latin Quarter for pubs and casual food.
- Order this
- Galway oysters, seafood chowder with brown bread, and fish and chips.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 12, dinner from 6pm. Some of the best restaurants open only Tuesday to Saturday.
- Book or walk in
- Book dinner at Aniar and Kai. Pubs, cafes and fish and chips take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Round up or leave about 10 per cent in a restaurant. It is not expected in a pub.
What to eat in Galway
- Galway oystersNative oysters from Galway Bay, in season from about September to April. Eat them with brown bread and a pint of stout.
- Seafood chowderA creamy soup of fish and shellfish, served with brown soda bread. Most pubs and seafood restaurants have one.
- Fish and chipsBattered cod or haddock with chips, served in a restaurant or taken away from a chip shop.
- MusselsSteamed in white wine or cream, with a crust of bread to finish the broth.
- Irish stewLamb or beef slow-cooked with potato, carrot and onion. A pub dish for cold, wet days.
- Smoked salmon with brown breadIrish smoked salmon on a slice of soda bread, a simple lunch or starter.
- Full Irish breakfastEggs, rashers, sausages, black and white pudding and toast. Large enough to count as lunch.
Where to eat in Galway, by neighborhood
The West End
Dominick Street and Shantalla, with some of the city's best restaurants and cafes. Quieter and more local than the center.
The Latin Quarter
Quay Street, High Street and the lanes around them. Pubs, cafes and seafood, busy and often loud at night.
The Spanish Arch and the Long Walk
Seafront cafes and a restaurant with views of the river and the Claddagh. Good for lunch.
Sea Road and Salthill
A few serious restaurants near the river, and fish and chips along the seafront.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Aniar
€€€€Restaurant · Lower Dominick Street
OrderThe tasting menu
A Michelin-starred restaurant cooking from local and foraged ingredients, in the West End.
- Book
- Book ahead on its website
- Closed
- Sunday and Monday
Confirmed open: aniarrestaurant.ie
-
Kai
€€€Restaurant · Sea Road
OrderThe daily seafood dish
A small restaurant on Sea Road with a short, seasonal menu. Lunch is walk-in, dinner is by reservation.
- Book
- Dinner by reservation, lunch walk-in
- Closed
- Sunday, Monday and bank holidays
Confirmed open: kairestaurant.ie
-
Ard Bia at Nimmos
€€€Restaurant · Long Walk
OrderBrunch or the seasonal dinner menu
A long-running restaurant in a building beside the Spanish Arch, with views over the river. Brunch is at the weekend.
- Book
- Book dinner and weekend brunch
- Closed
- Check its site for current days
Confirmed open: galwaytourism.ie
-
McDonagh's
€€Fish and chips · Quay Street
OrderCod and chips
A seafood house and chip shop on Quay Street, open since 1902, with a restaurant at the back.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: galwaytourism.ie
-
Tigh Neachtain
€€Pub · Cross Street
OrderSeafood chowder and a pint
A pub at the corner of Quay and High Street, founded in 1894, with lunch served daily and music in the evenings.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: galwaytourism.ie
Food markets in Galway
- Galway MarketStalls beside St Nicholas' Church selling local cheese, bread, crepes and hot food. Come on Saturday for lunch.Saturdays, about 8am to 6pmSource: galwaytourism.ie
How Galway eats
- Meal timesLunch from 12 and dinner from about 6pm. Pubs often stop serving food around 9pm.
- Pub foodYou order at the bar and pay when you order. The food comes to your table.
- TippingRound up or leave about 10 per cent in a restaurant. Not expected for a pint.
- Oyster seasonNative oysters are in season from about September to April. In summer, order Pacific oysters instead.
- Days closedSome of the better restaurants close Sunday and Monday, so check before you plan the weekend.
Signs of a place to walk past
A tourist menu with photographs of every dish.
A seafood restaurant with a tout at the door on Quay Street.
A pub where the food menu is longer than the drinks list.
Eating in Galway: questions people ask
What food is Galway known for?
Seafood: native oysters, mussels, chowder and fish and chips, with soda bread and Irish stew in the pubs.
Where should I eat in Galway?
The West End for restaurants, the Latin Quarter for pubs and casual food, and McDonagh's for fish and chips.
Is food expensive in Galway?
Moderate to pricey in restaurants. Pub lunches, market stalls and fish and chips are the cheaper options.
Do I need to book in Galway?
For dinner at Aniar and Kai, yes. Friday and Saturday evenings fill quickly. Pubs and chip shops take walk-ins.
When are Galway oysters in season?
Native oysters are in season from about September to April. Galway's oyster festival is held each September.
Is there a food market in Galway?
Yes. Galway Market runs on Saturdays beside St Nicholas' Church, with local food and hot stalls.