When most people think of Ireland, they immediately think of the east side with either Dublin or Belfast, and they usually mistakenly think the latter in the same country.
While we’re not here to discuss the difference between Northern Ireland (part of the UK, where Belfast is) and the Republic of Ireland (more commonly referred to as “Ireland,” where Dublin is), we are here to talk about one Ireland’s west coast highlights: Galway.
Galway is a popular tourist destination that has a large maritime history. 14 merchant families previously ruled the city, thus earning it the nickname “Cathair na dTreabh,” or “City of the Tribes.” It’s also part of the Gaeltacht district of Ireland, where the Irish language is the predominant one.
The city’s history with the sea also paves the way for one of its current main points of attraction in tourism: the food.
I was in Ireland on a press trip sponsored by Fáilte (fall-chuh) Ireland and Tourism Ireland, and my time in Galway was part of a week-long adventure. I had a little car accident here that almost ruined the trip, but it wound up getting me some of the best recommendations in the city.
Keep reading for the Galway restaurant recommendations as set up by Fáilte and Tourism Ireland, Galway Food Tours, and the poor local whose car got hit by an American who didn’t understand roundabouts. Cheers!
Best Restaurants in Galway
McSwiggan’s
McSwiggan’s is a great choice for people who like a little rustic feel in their restaurants. It’s also a great spot for people who like sustainable food, which you can find here.
McSwiggan’s has been part of the Galway staple for more than 30 years, inspired by the old days of trading potatoes and providing a sanctuary to eat and make memories. Due to the locality of the food, the menu may change based on availability. When you are there, if you’re able to get the mussels from Ireland’s Killary Fjord or the roasted half duck with farm-fresh vegetables, that’s my recommendation.
Restaurants Visited on the Galway Food Tours
One of the best ways to experience local cuisine, regardless of where you go, is on a food tour. The Galway Food Tours is no exception.
Food tour experiences vary based on the day and who’s available, so the following list is not a guarantee for your experience, and there are a number of other restaurants the tour group partners with. Here are the ones I was able to check out on the tour:
Rúibín Bar & Restaurant
I had, arguably, the best cup of clam chowder I’ve ever had in my life at Rúibín Bar & Restaurant, and I spent almost two decades in Monterey Bay, California. I didn’t think I’d ever meet a better chowder, but I stand corrected. Rúibín sits tight on the historic docklands overlooking the sea and offers a bright, modern, and comfortable setting for you to enjoy. This restaurant also has a focus on local and seasonal Irish ingredients, but in the cooking, you’ll find “influence from around the world.”
Little Lane Coffee
I’m always for a good cup of coffee, especially when it’s unique, as it was at Little Lane Coffee. The coffee we enjoyed was closer to a tea flavor and consistency, which was something I’d never experienced before.
Little Lane only works with Irish Specialty Coffee Roasters, with the house coffee coming from the Bailies Coffee Roasters in Belfast. This is a blend of 3 origins that gives off peanut, chocolate, and caramel aromas and flavors. Throughout the year, Little Lane also hosts guest slots with some of Ireland’s select coffee roasters, so you’ll never know what treat you’ll get when you come.
Truffle
Who doesn’t love a good chocolate fountain? Even though the one at Truffle isn’t edible, it’s still a great add-on and fun to watch as it takes up a wall with a waterfall of melted chocolate that, I swear, I would be happier if I took a bath in.
Truffle is a French-inspired chocolaterie in Galway’s city center, and the shop comes lined with just about every flavor you can think of on the spectrum. These include anything from the titular chocolate truffles to hazelnut hot chocolates for the days when the wind from the bay brings on a little chill like it did the day I was there. They even offer a create-your-own-chocolate frame and unique items like chocolate pencils. Get your sweet tooth out; you’ll need it when you shop here.
Tigh Neachtain’s
If you’re into Irish history, Tigh Neachtain’s is a great place for you to visit. Founded in 1894, Tigh Neachtain’s offers everything from little-known craft beers and rare whiskeys to traditional Irish stew and a flash of seafood from the local docks. Tigh Neachtain’s is also a great place to come for live music, and its bright blue paint makes it easily noticeable from the street.
The booths and walls of the restaurant also contain artwork from throughout the years, which also gives a look into the relationship Irish people have had with societal perceptions of women and alcohol. Some of the smaller booths, according to Danny, were used to hide women in the early 19th century when women had limited access to public drinking spaces. Now, the closed-off booths make for a great intimate date option that highlights the history of the country.
McCambridge’s
The food tour begins at McCambridge’s, which is its own separate entity outside of what you do with the tour. McCambridge’s itself is a little shop selling a small amount of groceries and a selection of wine, spirits, and beer.
For the tour, you head upstairs in a blocked-off section of the upper dining room and have a small pairing of cheese and whiskey. That may not be the first thing you think of in the world of pairings, but it went surprisingly well and highlighted one of Ireland’s most popular products.
Murphy’s
What better way to end a tour than with a bit of ice cream? We finished up at Murphy’s, which produces natural and locally sourced ice cream. They opened their original location in Dingle in 2000 and keep their focus on the quality of their ingredients — so much so that they even make their own sea salt from local seawater.
As always, flavors are subject to change based on availability and the season, but I’m sure they always have the chocolate whiskey flavor I chose. They use Teeling whiskey and Valrhona chocolate in the ice cream, though the whiskey flavor doesn’t overpower the chocolate hints, nor does it give the “bite” of a whiskey shot.
The Galway food tour is a must for all foodies who want to experience the Galway food scene. I highly recommend it! You can book it here>>
Galway Restaurants Recommended by Locals
As noted above, I had a little fender-bender in Galway, which occurred within the first 90 minutes of me having the rental car. I’d blame the rain, the narrow roads, and driving on the opposite side of the road, but it wouldn’t change the outcome. Maybe I should have read Maria’s posts on tips for driving in Ireland? Still, the process following the accident was so smooth that I surprisingly have no complaints.
The result of the accident also proved why the Irish people have such a big reputation for their friendly and welcoming nature. I’m grateful the person received the note I left on her car about it, if for no other reason than to get some closure. According to Danny from the Food Tours, part of the reason Lady Gaga loved Galway so much is that she also had some car trouble in town and appreciated the kindness of the strangers who stopped to help her without even knowing who she was.
That kindness also transferred to the person I hit, who provided me with the following recommendations for the best pizza, the best traditional fish and chips, and the best cheap and cheerful place. Since the accident wasn’t part of the itinerary, I didn’t get a chance to check any of these out, but the recommendations are worth sharing all the same.
Dough Bros
I have to admit, I’m sad I didn’t get a chance to check out Dough Bros. I’m always in for a good burrito, burger, or slice of pizza, and the two “bros” behind this business, Ronan and Eugene, seem to have the latter on lock. With a desire to put Irish pizza on the map, the two took their pizza-selling dream from food truck to pop-up to a two-time brick-and-mortar business that gets recommended in car accidents.
They’ve been in business for over a decade now and also offer at-home pizza kits for those who want to bake on their own. Besides their recommendation in Galway, they were also voted as Ireland’s number-one pizza.
McDonagh’s
It’s borderline sinful that I went to any European country for a full week and had no fish and chips, but here we are. Had I done so, I would have loved to have taken up the recommendation for McDonagh’s.
A Galway staple since 1902, this seafood house has a wide range of daily fresh-caught fish that always pairs well with their hand-peeled potatoes for the freshest chips. The menu showcases the different fish options to pair with your chips, and each fish comes from a sustainable stock that has a traceable provenance. If you’re stuck in a group of seafood lovers and that’s not your thing, they also offer sausage and chips and a section with chicken options instead.
Cellar Bar
I am always here for “cheap and cheerful,” and by the looks of things, The Cellar Bar lives up to the recommendation. The gastropub has been in business for over 30 years, and offers live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night. The spacious location can also hold up to 200 people for a private party, which makes it a great venue option for those looking to host a special occasion.
Sports fans also have a reason to visit, as they showcase any major sporting event in Galway across their HD screens. They also offer a selection of specialty cocktails, though their specialty shots look more worth a shoutout.
The Galway Food Scene
Regardless of where you land, Galway should be high on your list of must-visit places anytime you’re in Ireland. From fresh seafood to great Guinness to a chocolate fountain hidden in the mix, you’re bound to find something in this city that matches your taste buds’ favorite flavor.
And, for an additional recommendation as to where to stay, check out The Galmont Inn. I didn’t have a chance to check out their restaurant or breakfast, but the room was amazing, the hotel was beautiful, and the staff was awesome. Plus, it’s walking distance to everything mentioned on the list, which makes it that much easier to explore.
Disclaimer: As customary in the travel industry, the author of this article was hosted for some or all of the activities mentioned in the article. This has not influenced the author’s opinion of these experiences.