McDonagh's Seafood House is a seafood restaurant in Latin Quarter, Galway.
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 dishes: Fish and chips, Seafood chowder, Galway Bay oysters
Must 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.
Address: 22 Quay Street, Galway, H91 N902
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.
Xi'an Street Food on Quay Street Galway serves hand-pulled noodles from China's Shaanxi province, made in full view in an open kitchen in the Latin Quarter.
Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Spicy dumplings, Rou jia mo
Order: Hand-pulled noodles in a spicy broth; the dumplings are the other anchor
Tip: One of Galway's best-value sit-down meals; expect a queue at peak lunch and dinner hours.
