Portuguese€€westend
Alma is Galway's only Portuguese restaurant; the Wednesday to Saturday dinner menu features bacalhau and Atlantic seafood inspired by Portugal's coast.
Signature: Portuguese seafood dishes, Bacalhau
Order: Ask for the bacalhau preparation of the day; the dessert section is worth leaving room for
Tip: One of the city's genuinely unique cuisine addresses; booking ahead is essential at weekends.
Contemporary Irish, brunch bar€€eyre-square
HYDE Bar on Forster Street Galway runs all-day brunch seven days a week with bottomless cocktails and bank-holiday disco brunches that made it the city's.
Signature: Disco brunch plates, Bottomless cocktail brunch
Order: The themed bottomless brunch on Bank Holiday Mondays is the headline event; book well ahead
Tip: Standard brunch is walk-in friendly on weekday mornings; weekend sittings need a reservation.
Irish, all-day cafe€€eyre-square
Merchant Cafe and Bar at Eyre Square Hotel Galway keeps all-day locally sourced dishes from breakfast through dinner for city workers and visitors.
Signature: All-day brunch, Simple Irish lunch plates
Order: The daily brunch specials; the room is calmer than the Latin Quarter on a busy Saturday
Tip: Good value given the Eyre Square location; a reliable option when you need food quickly.
Moroccan€latin-quarter
High Cafe above the Bunch of Grapes on High Street is Galway's Moroccan destination; tagines, mezze platters and sweet mint tea make it the city's most.
Signature: Moroccan tagine, Mezze platters
Order: The tagine of the day; the mezze platter works as a full meal for two with bread
Tip: Cash is preferable; the kitchen can be slow on busy evenings so allow time.
French-Irish, rooftop dining€€€eyre-square
Lena's Rooftop at Radisson RED Galway on Crown Square has panoramic Bay views; weekend brunch and seasonal dinner use the city centre's highest outdoor.
Signature: Brunch cocktails, Panoramic Galway Bay views
Order: The rooftop brunch on a clear day with a view of the Bay; book the outside table specifically
Tip: The weather matters here; check the forecast before booking the outdoor terrace.
Modern Irish€€€€westend
Aniar in Galway has held one Michelin star since 2012; JP McMahon serves tasting menus built on foraged herbs, cured west-coast fish and smoked meats.
Signature: Foraged herb and wild fish tasting courses
Order: The full tasting menu; courses change daily with what is foraged and landed
Tip: Book Tuesday to Saturday evenings; closed Sunday and Monday.