Guidebook for Galway
Food Scene
Awesome fresh and locally sourced food from an award winning chief.
123 locals recommend
Kai Restaurant
22 Sea RdAwesome fresh and locally sourced food from an award winning chief.
McCambridges is an institution in Galway. It is a family owned (going on 90 something years) shop and restaurant. Expect excellent food and service. It's also a great spot to purchase locally produced food products and wine!
53 locals recommend
McCambridge's
38-39 Shop StMcCambridges is an institution in Galway. It is a family owned (going on 90 something years) shop and restaurant. Expect excellent food and service. It's also a great spot to purchase locally produced food products and wine!
O'Conaire's on the Docks
1 Dock RdIf you like fish, you need to go here! That is all.
Restaurant, cake and coffee shop. This is a great spot for families. Pick up some freshly baked bread and cakes for a little treat later on...
43 locals recommend
Gourmet Tart Company
Restaurant, cake and coffee shop. This is a great spot for families. Pick up some freshly baked bread and cakes for a little treat later on...
McDonagh's
22 Quay StTraditional fish and chips, you won't get it better anywhere else.
Cava Bodega
1 Middle StAMAZING tapas courtesy of top chief JP McMahon. An absolute must.
This place is so delightfully dainty I can barely handle it. They have their own range of teas (make sure to try the Dreamy Creamy Galway tea) and the food is fresh and delicious. Definitely one not to miss.
24 locals recommend
Cupán Tae
8 Quay LnThis place is so delightfully dainty I can barely handle it. They have their own range of teas (make sure to try the Dreamy Creamy Galway tea) and the food is fresh and delicious. Definitely one not to miss.
Very good pizza and burger joint. It's just up the road and they deliver.
18 locals recommend
Capones Galway
Kingston RoadVery good pizza and burger joint. It's just up the road and they deliver.
Drinks & Nightlife
Bar and restaurant, these guys have one of the most unique menus in Galway. The food is delicious. The cocktails are outstanding. The sounds are super cool and smooth. Suitable for folks into good food, good booze, good music and good chats!
12 locals recommend
The Universal
9 William St WBar and restaurant, these guys have one of the most unique menus in Galway. The food is delicious. The cocktails are outstanding. The sounds are super cool and smooth. Suitable for folks into good food, good booze, good music and good chats!
Iconic music venue. Great beer garden. Check their website for listings.
90 locals recommend
Roisin Dubh Comedy
8 Dominick St UpperIconic music venue. Great beer garden. Check their website for listings.
Crane Bar
2 Sea RdIconic traditional Irish music venue
I love this place. Not to be missed, O'Connor's is an old world style bar. They have live music most nights. Check out their videos on Facebook or Twitter to see more.
72 locals recommend
O'Connors Pub
Upper Salthill RoadI love this place. Not to be missed, O'Connor's is an old world style bar. They have live music most nights. Check out their videos on Facebook or Twitter to see more.
One of the best pubs for pub grub in the city. Also has a late bar... cocktails... dancing... age profile 30ish... bi-bar (i.e. welcomes all sexual orientations)... nice crowd.
25 locals recommend
Quays Bar Galway
10 William St WOne of the best pubs for pub grub in the city. Also has a late bar... cocktails... dancing... age profile 30ish... bi-bar (i.e. welcomes all sexual orientations)... nice crowd.
Traditional old man's pub on the inside and epic beer garden out the back. Great spot!
51 locals recommend
O'Connell's Bar
8 Eyre SquareTraditional old man's pub on the inside and epic beer garden out the back. Great spot!
This bar/restaurant is a classy joint serving excellent and even better cocktails!
21 locals recommend
Tribeton
1-3 Merchants RdThis bar/restaurant is a classy joint serving excellent and even better cocktails!
Arts & Culture
To be honest, I haven't been here in years. But I have it on good authority (my friend Brendan, who runs the show) that it is quite brilliant! Don't forget to tell him I sent you :)
141 locals recommend
Galway City Museum
Spanish ParadeTo be honest, I haven't been here in years. But I have it on good authority (my friend Brendan, who runs the show) that it is quite brilliant! Don't forget to tell him I sent you :)
Think art installations and galleries, books, theatre, talks, science, street performance, parades and much much more. Advanced booking is advised. Check out their website from April for a listing of events. Without a doubt, this is the best time to hit Galway city.
20 locals recommend
Galway International Arts Festival
Dyke RoadThink art installations and galleries, books, theatre, talks, science, street performance, parades and much much more. Advanced booking is advised. Check out their website from April for a listing of events. Without a doubt, this is the best time to hit Galway city.
Everything Else
Nice spot for business meetings. Great wifi, great coffee and suitable ambiance. It was the official office of TULCA Festival 2014 of which I have very fond memories of working.
9 locals recommend
The House Hotel - Galway Hotel
Spanish ParadeNice spot for business meetings. Great wifi, great coffee and suitable ambiance. It was the official office of TULCA Festival 2014 of which I have very fond memories of working.
Award-winning West Restaurant that offers guests contemporary dishes with a nod to tradition. The menu influenced by rural practices of foraging, fishing and fermentation techniques and heavily driven by seasonality.
A casual alternative is Pins Gastro Bar which offers a family friendly food, bar bites and pizza.
Revitalise and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul in our Le Petit Spa treatment room - a secluded sanctuary in which to enjoy some rare me-time. Enjoy Voya treaments and products.
42 locals recommend
The Twelve Hotel Galway
Barna Road Award-winning West Restaurant that offers guests contemporary dishes with a nod to tradition. The menu influenced by rural practices of foraging, fishing and fermentation techniques and heavily driven by seasonality.
A casual alternative is Pins Gastro Bar which offers a family friendly food, bar bites and pizza.
Revitalise and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul in our Le Petit Spa treatment room - a secluded sanctuary in which to enjoy some rare me-time. Enjoy Voya treaments and products.
Entertainment & Activities
The Galway Races is an internationally renowned race meet that take place during the last week of July. It is hands down the most hectic week in Galway as the city swells with race goers and revellers alike.
33 locals recommend
Galway Races
The Galway Races is an internationally renowned race meet that take place during the last week of July. It is hands down the most hectic week in Galway as the city swells with race goers and revellers alike.
Sightseeing
The Aran Islands are 3 rocky isles guarding the mouth of Galway Bay, in western Ireland. They’re known for their ancient sites. The largest island, Inishmore, is home to the prehistoric fort of Dún Aonghasa, perched on top of a high cliff. Nearby is the Worm Hole, a rectangular natural pool. The medieval ruins of the Seven Churches are in the northwest. Clochán na Carraige is a stone structure with a beehive roof. Check out The Wild Atlantic Way for more details.
102 locals recommend
Aran Islands
The Aran Islands are 3 rocky isles guarding the mouth of Galway Bay, in western Ireland. They’re known for their ancient sites. The largest island, Inishmore, is home to the prehistoric fort of Dún Aonghasa, perched on top of a high cliff. Nearby is the Worm Hole, a rectangular natural pool. The medieval ruins of the Seven Churches are in the northwest. Clochán na Carraige is a stone structure with a beehive roof. Check out The Wild Atlantic Way for more details.
Step on to the edge of the world and into an awe-inspiring view that dreams are made of – at the Cliffs of Moher you will encounter nature in its wildest, purest form – see the rugged cliffs facing the mighty ocean, taste the salt air, hear the birds cry, feel the ancient rocks beneath your feet, smell the wind. Decide today to grant your highest wish to visit Ireland’s most spectacular natural wonder at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way – the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.
556 locals recommend
Cliffs of Moher
Step on to the edge of the world and into an awe-inspiring view that dreams are made of – at the Cliffs of Moher you will encounter nature in its wildest, purest form – see the rugged cliffs facing the mighty ocean, taste the salt air, hear the birds cry, feel the ancient rocks beneath your feet, smell the wind. Decide today to grant your highest wish to visit Ireland’s most spectacular natural wonder at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way – the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.
Parks & Nature
Situated in the West of Ireland in County Galway, Connemara National Park covers some 2,957 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park’s mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range.
Activities include:
Exhibition on the Connemara Landscape (multi-lingual)
Information Desk
Connemara Ponies
Picnic Areas (indoor and outdoor)
Nature Trails
Children’s Playground
Diamond Hill Walks (This is an absolute must. The views are spectacular and there are three different trails to suit different fitness levels)
Tea Room
300 locals recommend
Connemara National Park
Situated in the West of Ireland in County Galway, Connemara National Park covers some 2,957 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park’s mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range.
Activities include:
Exhibition on the Connemara Landscape (multi-lingual)
Information Desk
Connemara Ponies
Picnic Areas (indoor and outdoor)
Nature Trails
Children’s Playground
Diamond Hill Walks (This is an absolute must. The views are spectacular and there are three different trails to suit different fitness levels)
Tea Room
The Burren National Park is located in the southeastern corner of the Burren. It contains examples of Limestone Pavement, Calcareous Grassland, Hazel scrub, Ash/Hazel Woodland, Turloughs, Lakes, Petrifying Springs, Cliffs and Fen. Check out their website for further information on guided walk and trails.
167 locals recommend
The Burren National Park
2 Church StreetThe Burren National Park is located in the southeastern corner of the Burren. It contains examples of Limestone Pavement, Calcareous Grassland, Hazel scrub, Ash/Hazel Woodland, Turloughs, Lakes, Petrifying Springs, Cliffs and Fen. Check out their website for further information on guided walk and trails.