Irish, North African influences€€spanish-arch
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.
Signature: Mezze plate, Seasonal Irish-North African dinner menu
Order: The mezze plate at lunch; at dinner, whatever the chalkboard shows from the Gairdín Bia garden
Tip: Weekend brunch without a reservation is fine; dinner sittings fill quickly so book ahead.
Italian€€€spanish arch
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, Italian seafood
Order: The seasonal pasta and whatever the day's risotto offers; the terrace table is the one to request
Tip: Book the riverside terrace at least a week ahead in summer; it fills within hours of becoming available.
Spanish tapas€€latin-quarter
Cava Bodega on Middle Street Galway has served regional Spanish tapas since 2008 with over 70 small plates of locally sourced fish, meat and Atlantic produce.
Signature: Spanish regional tapas, Pimientos de padron
Order: Order broadly across the regions; the seafood tapas reflect the local Galway Bay supply chain
Tip: The Spanish-focussed natural wine list is worth exploring with a knowledgeable floor team.
Seafood, fish and chips€€latin quarter
McDonagh's has served Atlantic fish from Quay Street Galway since 1902; the restaurant and chip counter are the city's oldest seafood institution.
Signature: Fish and chips, Seafood chowder, Galway Bay oysters
Order: Fish and chips in batter at the counter; in the restaurant, the Galway Bay oysters are the starting point
Tip: The restaurant and chip bar are two separate queues; the chip bar is faster and equally good.
Modern Irish€€westend
Dela on Lower Dominick Street Galway runs seven-day brunch from a Moycullen-farm kitchen, blending Modern Irish produce with Nordic and Asian notes.
Signature: Farm-to-table brunch plates, Seasonal Irish dinner menu
Order: Brunch is the headline; the seed-to-feed seasonal plates at dinner reward a Thursday evening visit
Tip: The natural wine list and craft beer selection are taken as seriously as the food.
Irish, European€€eyre square
Ruibin at Galway's docklands serves Irish seafood and European classics in a relaxed bar-restaurant with a curated whiskey bar near the Galway centre.
Signature: Grilled Atlantic fish, Irish beef cuts
Order: The Atlantic fish changes with the day's catch; the beef is well-sourced from Irish farms
Tip: A solid weeknight option when Westend restaurants are fully booked; the bar has a good whiskey selection.