Guidebook for Galway
Drinks & Nightlife
Part of a group that includes also Oslo in Salthill, and Against the Grain in Dublin, the Cottage offers a broad array of local, Irish, and international brews. The Cottage also serves food.
6 locals recommend
The Cottage Bar
76 Salthill Road LowerPart of a group that includes also Oslo in Salthill, and Against the Grain in Dublin, the Cottage offers a broad array of local, Irish, and international brews. The Cottage also serves food.
Don’t go upstairs with all the tourists. Sweat it out in the downstairs bar for a while and eventually someone will take out an instrument or break into song.
94 locals recommend
Crane Bar
2 Sea RdDon’t go upstairs with all the tourists. Sweat it out in the downstairs bar for a while and eventually someone will take out an instrument or break into song.
O Connor’s is a very odd place that has to be seen to be believed. There is sawdust on the floor and the last time we were there there was a full jazz band. Full. Jazz. Band.
72 locals recommend
O'Connors Pub
Upper Salthill RoadO Connor’s is a very odd place that has to be seen to be believed. There is sawdust on the floor and the last time we were there there was a full jazz band. Full. Jazz. Band.
Hands down the best place to people-watch in Galway. Constantly busy, and bursting with local character. Fun fact: displays one of only two complete collections of Galway Arts Festival posters.
131 locals recommend
Tigh Neachtain
17 Cross Street UpperHands down the best place to people-watch in Galway. Constantly busy, and bursting with local character. Fun fact: displays one of only two complete collections of Galway Arts Festival posters.
Food Scene
One of our favourites, don’t be fooled by the tiny interior, this place has a massive beer garden and lots of cosy corners. Positively riotous on a Saturday night, there is often a band in full swing.
51 locals recommend
O'Connell's Bar
8 Eyre SquareOne of our favourites, don’t be fooled by the tiny interior, this place has a massive beer garden and lots of cosy corners. Positively riotous on a Saturday night, there is often a band in full swing.
Rouge offer only three dishes per evening. Meat, fish, or vegetarian. The meat is always steak. Everything is creamy. Everything.
48 locals recommend
Rouge Restaurant
38 Dominick St LowerRouge offer only three dishes per evening. Meat, fish, or vegetarian. The meat is always steak. Everything is creamy. Everything.
The fish special will be locally sourced and fresh. Always a great option. Also, where Gourmet Tart really excels is in the bakery, so make sure you sample the bread basket and don’t skip desert.
43 locals recommend
Gourmet Tart Company
The fish special will be locally sourced and fresh. Always a great option. Also, where Gourmet Tart really excels is in the bakery, so make sure you sample the bread basket and don’t skip desert.
Ard Bia update their menu so regularly it’s hard to say, but everything is good and they excel at combining unexpected flavours. It’s open for lunch from noon also.
97 locals recommend
Ard Bia at Nimmos
The Long WalkArd Bia update their menu so regularly it’s hard to say, but everything is good and they excel at combining unexpected flavours. It’s open for lunch from noon also.
Fish! Chips! In fact, this is not our favourite Fish & Chip Shop in Galway, but we include it because it’s just so ridiculously famous, and it’s cute as hell inside.
77 locals recommend
McDonagh's
22 Quay StFish! Chips! In fact, this is not our favourite Fish & Chip Shop in Galway, but we include it because it’s just so ridiculously famous, and it’s cute as hell inside.
We prefer the fish in this little hidden gem to that in the more famous McDonagh's around the corner.
Kettle of Fish
We prefer the fish in this little hidden gem to that in the more famous McDonagh's around the corner.
Scrambled eggs and black pudding sausages. And a breakfast cocktail. Nobody will judge.
53 locals recommend
McCambridge's
38-39 Shop StScrambled eggs and black pudding sausages. And a breakfast cocktail. Nobody will judge.
Sightseeing
A great place to kill a few hours. Also their coffee shop does to-die-for desserts.
141 locals recommend
Galway City Museum
Spanish ParadeA great place to kill a few hours. Also their coffee shop does to-die-for desserts.
Entertainment & Activities
Incredible array of local fish-life, with knowledgable staff and a large touch-pool.
37 locals recommend
Galway Atlantaquaria, National Aquarium of Ireland
Seapoint PromenadeIncredible array of local fish-life, with knowledgable staff and a large touch-pool.
Everything Else
Heaslip Dry Cleaners
5 Seamus Quirke RoadLaundromat convenient to our house.
Essentials
Dunnes westside
Seamus Quirke RoadLarge grocery store - has almost everything you'll need.
Slightly less comprehensive than Dunnes across the street, it's nevertheless worth stopping at first as it is so much cheaper, and a teeny bit closer.
29 locals recommend
ALDI
Seamus Quirke RoadSlightly less comprehensive than Dunnes across the street, it's nevertheless worth stopping at first as it is so much cheaper, and a teeny bit closer.