Cava Bodega is a spanish tapas restaurant in Latin Quarter, Galway.
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 dishes: Spanish regional tapas, Pimientos de padron
Must 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.
Address: Unit 1 Middle Street Mews, Middle Street, Galway, H91 AF89
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: Fish and chips, Seafood chowder, Crab claws
Order: Fish and chips in Hooked-style batter; the crab claws in garlic butter when in season
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive before 13:00 or after 14:30 on weekdays to avoid the lunch queue.
The Dough Bros on Middle Street is one of Galway's most celebrated restaurants; the Neapolitan pizzas use Toonsbridge mozzarella and San Marzano tomato.
Signature: Neapolitan-Irish pizza, Irish Margherita
Order: The Irish Margherita with Toonsbridge fior di latte fresh mozzarella is the benchmark
Tip: Walk-ins are taken but the room is small; an early arrival on a Friday saves a queue.
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.
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.
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.
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: Fish and chips, Seafood chowder, Crab claws
Order: Fish and chips in Hooked-style batter; the crab claws in garlic butter when in season
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive before 13:00 or after 14:30 on weekdays to avoid the lunch queue.
The Dough Bros on Middle Street is one of Galway's most celebrated restaurants; the Neapolitan pizzas use Toonsbridge mozzarella and San Marzano tomato.
Signature: Neapolitan-Irish pizza, Irish Margherita
Order: The Irish Margherita with Toonsbridge fior di latte fresh mozzarella is the benchmark
Tip: Walk-ins are taken but the room is small; an early arrival on a Friday saves a queue.
Darog in Galway holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand; owner Zsolt Lukacs won the 2025 UK and Ireland Sommelier Award for this natural wine bar on Dominick Street.
Signature: Kingfish crudo, Seasonal small plates
Order: Let Zsolt guide the wine pairing; the kingfish crudo is a reliable anchor plate
Tip: Get there early on weekends; the small room fills quickly after 19:00.
