HYDE is a contemporary irish brunch bar restaurant in Eyre Square, Galway.
HYDE on Forster Street Galway runs all-day brunch with bottomless cocktails and bank-holiday disco brunches that made it the city's most-booked weekend event.
Signature dishes: Themed disco brunch, Bottomless cocktail brunch
Must order: The themed bottomless brunch on Bank Holidays is the experience; book at least two weeks ahead
Tip: Standard brunch is walk-in friendly on weekday mornings; the weekend service needs a booking.
Address: Forster Street, Galway, H91 PY7E
Cava Bodega on Middle Street Galway has served regional Spanish tapas since 2008, with over 70 small plates using Irish-sourced fish and Atlantic meat.
Signature: Regional Spanish tapas, Pimentos de padron, Seafood tapas
Order: The seafood tapas change with what local boats landed; order broadly and share across the table
Tip: Weeknight evenings offer more breathing room; Friday and Saturday fill up fast.
Il Vicolo in Galway's Bridge Mills has the only riverside terrace in the city, with a nightly-changing Italian menu and an all-Italian wine list.
Signature: Seasonal pasta, Risotto, Italian wine selection
Order: The seasonal pasta or risotto; the terrace table with river views is the room's defining feature
Tip: Request a riverside terrace table when booking; the interior is fine but the terrace is the reason to come.
Dela on Lower Dominick Street Galway runs seven-day brunch from a Moycullen-farm kitchen, blending Modern Irish produce with Nordic restraint and Asian notes.
Signature: Farm-sourced seasonal plates, Nordic-Irish fusion
Order: The daily brunch is the most consistent expression of the kitchen's philosophy
Tip: The natural wine and craft beer list is carefully considered; worth exploring beyond the house pours.
McDonagh's has served Atlantic fish from Quay Street Galway since 1902; the fourth-generation family run the restaurant and chip counter side by side.
Signature: Fish and chips, Galway Bay oysters, Seafood chowder
Order: Fish and chips in the counter section; in the restaurant, start with the native Galway Bay oysters
Tip: The restaurant and chip bar share a building but operate as separate queues; both are excellent.
Ard Bia at Nimmos in Galway keeps its 18th-century Custom House stone building at the Spanish Arch as the city's most atmospheric casual dining room.
Signature: Mezze plate, Seasonal garden menu
Order: The mezze plate at lunch; dinner menus are written on the chalkboard and change with the garden
Tip: The organic and natural wine list is shorter than the Westend wine bars but all are well-chosen.
Hooked on Henry Street Galway sources its catch from Ali's Fish Market next door; battered fish and hand-cut chips are the city's best wild-Atlantic seafood.
Signature: Battered fish and chips, Crab claws in garlic butter
Order: The battered fish with hand-cut chips; the crab claws in garlic and herb butter when in season
Tip: A popular lunch stop that sells out of specials early; worth arriving before 12:30 on weekdays.
