Irish Steakhouse and Seafood€€€eyre-squareDaily 10:00-21:30
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.
Irish€€spanish-archMon 10:00-15:30, Mon 18:00-22:00, Tue 10:00-15:30, Tue 18:00-22:00, Wed 10:00-15:30, Wed 18:00-22:00, Thu 10:00-15:30, Thu 18:00-22:00, Fri 10:00-15:30, Fri 18:00-22:00, Sat 10:00-15:30, Sat 18:00-22:00, Sun 10:00-15:30, Sun 18:00-22:00
Ard Bia at Nimmos is Galway's most moody 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 archMon-Thu 17:00-21:30, Fri 17:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-22:00
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-quarterMon-Thu 17:00-23:30, Fri 16:00-23:30, Sat-Sun 15:00-23:30
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 quarterMon-Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 14:00-22:00
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€€westendMon-Sat 09:30-15:00, Sun 10:00-16:00, Fri-Sat 18:00-22:00
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.