Connemara Smokehouse is a restaurant in Eyre Square, Galway.
Connemara Smokehouse in Ballyconneely 75km from Galway city produces cold-smoked Atlantic salmon; the drive west for direct coastal salmon is worth it.
Why locals love it: An hour from Galway city on the Connemara coast at Bunowen Pier; the best cold-smoked Atlantic salmon in Ireland is sold direct.
Tip: Call ahead to confirm shop hours before the drive; the oak-smoked side salmon vacuum-packed makes the best edible souvenir from the west.
Address: Bunowen Pier, Ballyconneely, Co. Galway, H91 HT48
Geometry Coffee Roasters in Galway supplies the best cafes in the county; the roastery door is open on weekday mornings for direct whole-bean sales.
Why locals love it: The Tuam Road roastery is a trade-only operation not mapped by any cafe guide; George and Matt roast on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Tip: Email the roastery for a Tuesday or Wednesday visit; George does a free 20-minute roast tour.
Plamas on Upper Dominick Street Galway is the specialty coffee window where Geometry Roasters serve single-origin filter in a room of just eight seats.
Why locals love it: The Geometry Coffee Roasters cafe on Upper Dominick Street is known to baristas and food writers but invisible to all tourists.
Tip: Order a V60 and take the window seat; the Geometry single-origin filter changes monthly.
Morans on the Weir in Kilcolgan is 20km south of Galway city; the Clarenbridge Native oysters go from the tidal bed to the thatched table in under an hour.
Why locals love it: A thatched cottage oyster bar in Kilcolgan 20km south of Galway, run by seven generations of the Moran family and serving Clarenbridge Natives from the tidal weir.
Tip: Book a weekday table; Clarenbridge Natives with brown bread and Guinness is the only order needed.
Dela on Dominick Street Galway is local knowledge; the daily-changing farm menu sourced from Moycullen is the best Galway lunch that short-stay visitors miss.
Why locals love it: The Dominick Street address looks like another brunch place from outside; inside, a bakery-kitchen serves 12 covers from a farm menu.
Tip: Arrive early on weekdays; the dark rye and butter is the hidden menu item worth ordering.
Geometry Coffee Roasters in Galway supplies the best cafes in the county; the roastery door is open on weekday mornings for direct whole-bean sales.
Why locals love it: The Tuam Road roastery is a trade-only operation not mapped by any cafe guide; George and Matt roast on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Tip: Email the roastery for a Tuesday or Wednesday visit; George does a free 20-minute roast tour.
Oscars Seafood Bistro on Dominick Street Galway seats just 30 and fills nightly; the wild Atlantic fish board and ten-dish menu is the best value in Galway.
Why locals love it: A 34-cover room on Upper Dominick Street that serves Galway finest wild-caught seafood with no walk-in space at all.
Tip: Book two weeks ahead for Friday dinner; the lobster bisque is the standout first course.
Sheridans Cheesemongers wine bar on Churchyard Street Galway opens Thursday to Saturday above the cheese shop; a 50-bin natural list with boards of Gubbeen.
Why locals love it: Tourists shop the cheese counter downstairs and leave; the stairs to the wine bar above are unmarked and known only to regulars.
Tip: Go upstairs after 16:00 on a weekday; the Ardrahan board with Grower Champagne is the right pairing.