Connemara smoked salmon from the Atlantic coast is cold-smoked over oak; served at Galway tables on brown bread with capers and lemon as the defining local starter.
Cold-smoking of salmon on the Connemara coast became a commercial cottage industry in the 20th century, with the Connemara Smokehouse at Bunowen Pier in Ballyconneely established in the 1980s as the first artisan smokehouse to supply Galway restaurants. Sheridans Cheesemongers, founded in 1995 on Churchyard Street, brought Connemara smoked salmon to a national audience through their Galway Saturday Market stall. The distinction lies in the oak smoke and the short brine, which produces a silkier texture than the stronger Norwegian-style smoked salmon.
4 editor picks for Connemara Smoked Salmon in Galway, ranked by editorial score. All Galway signature dishes · Connemara Smoked Salmon across every city.
McCambridge's ★ 4.7
latin-quarter · 38-39 Shop Street, Galway, H91 HX2W
McCambridges on Shop Street Galway is the city deli with the widest Irish artisan range; the cheese counter, smoked fish and baked goods are best-in-class.
Sheridans Cheesemongers ★ 4.6
latin-quarter · 14-16 Churchyard Street, Galway, H91 FN84
Sheridans Cheesemongers on Churchyard Street Galway stocks artisan bread from local producers; the cheese-and-bread counter is the best Galway food pairing.
Ard Bia at Nimmos ★ 4.4
spanish-arch · Spanish Arch, Long Walk, Galway, H91 X3CP
Ard Bia at Nimmos is Galway's most atmospheric venue at the Spanish Arch, serving North African-influenced Irish menus in a medieval stone building.
Blackrock Cottage ★ 4.3
salthill · Salthill Promenade, Galway, H91 KV9D
Blackrock Cottage beside Salthill's diving tower has Galway Bay views and locally sourced Atlantic seafood plates in a relaxed cafe-restaurant.