Merchant Cafe and Bar is an irish restaurant in Eyre Square, Galway.
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 dishes: All-day brunch, Simple Irish lunch plates
Must 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.
Address: Eyre Square Hotel, 6 Forster Street, Galway
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.
Brasserie on the Corner near Eyre Square Galway runs all-day service from breakfast through dinner around dry-aged Irish beef and Atlantic seafood plates.
Signature: Dry-aged Irish beef steaks, Atlantic seafood
Order: The dry-aged Irish beef is the headline; the Atlantic seafood platter works well for groups
Tip: The pre-theatre set menu offers good value if you are heading to a show nearby.
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.
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.
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.
Kai Restaurant in Galway earned a Michelin Green Star in 2024; Jess Murphy posts a daily-changing menu from the Murphys Moycullen farm each morning.
Signature: Daily fish plate, Farm-sourced seasonal vegetables
Order: Whatever the farm delivered that morning; the fish plate and the greens are always the point
Tip: Lunch is walk-in only from Tuesday to Saturday; dinner reservations are essential.
Oscar's Seafood Bistro in Galway champions under-used Atlantic species; chef Michael O'Meara sources sustainably from local West of Ireland trawlers.
Signature: Sustainably caught Atlantic seafood platters
Order: Ask for the day's lesser-known catch; the kitchen works with what local boats landed that morning
Tip: Reservations are confirmed by phone or email only; plan ahead for weekend evenings.
Brasserie on the Corner near Eyre Square Galway runs all-day service from breakfast through dinner around dry-aged Irish beef and Atlantic seafood plates.
Signature: Dry-aged Irish beef steaks, Atlantic seafood
Order: The dry-aged Irish beef is the headline; the Atlantic seafood platter works well for groups
Tip: The pre-theatre set menu offers good value if you are heading to a show nearby.
