Good restaurant Galway city?

Caros

Hello Galwegians!
My partner and I are spendin g a weekend in Galway in a few weeks and I was wondering if anyone could please recomend a really good restaurant in the city.
Thank you.

Black_Knight

Theres any ammount of good restaurants in Galway.

What you looking for?

Pub grub?
Cheap food?
The best of the best?
etc etc...

Caros

Thanks for replying Black Knight, we're really looking for the best of the best for one of the nights we'll be there anyway, maybe even 2!

Black_Knight

My student demeanour means I dont get to sample many of the "best of the best".

Cooks is awful good IMO. Ard Bia was good last time I was there, twas well over a year ago though.

Some other galweegians will be along to give a few more hints, im sure

ronnie3585

Abalone on Domnick Street is extremely good, my favourite place in town. Cookes on Abbeygate Street is good too.

Had a few meals in The G and wasn't too impressed, nice but didn't live up to the hype.

brianthebard

I really like the malt house.

philboy

Abalone is the best. Don't go to Oscar's if your recommended it. It has gone downhill a lot recently. It used to be my sisters favourite restaurant but the food, portions and standards just aren't there anymore.
Abalone on the other hand is always great.

kraggy

The Asian Tea House on Mary St. is quality as well. They do Thai, Malaysian etc.

If you like Indian, The Kashmir is the best in Galway. Anyone who disagrees is wrong.

Cadiz

Enjoy OP.

My three tops for 'really good' for Galway city would be:

Sheridan's on the docks (upstairs - there's a nice pub downstairs)
Nimmo's (behind the Spanish Arch)
Cava, Dominick Street

All lovely. First two - not cheap in these R-word times but the best in city IMO. Third - Spanish themed food, a little less expensive, also lovely. Needs to be booked at weekends as some poncey Irish Times reviewer bigged it up.

Outside Galway - White Gables, Moycullen - really lovely but a drive outside city.

Bon apetit.

Madame Razz

Artisan or Sheridans

Acoshla

Mustard, Vina Mara.

inisboffin

kraggy wrote: »

The Asian Tea House on Mary St. is quality as well. They do Thai, Malaysian etc.

If you like Indian, The Kashmir is the best in Galway. Anyone who disagrees is wrong.

Asian Tea House deffo, but them's fightin' words re the Indian:p

I used to be a Kashmir devotee, and love it for atmosphere, but find the food in Eastern Tandoori far superior! The Veg stuff anyway.

cleremy jarkson

Mc Donald's restauraunt shop street.

Make sure to try out the "Big Mac".

martyboy48

^^^
You bet me to my supermacs witty comment... I failed....

cleremy jarkson

martyboy48 wrote: »

^^^
You bet me to my supermacs witty comment... I failed....

I freaking love you man!!!!

We're gonna go to the moon......maaaaannnn!!!!!!!

Caros

Thanks! Lots of "food for thought" there! As we have 3 nights we'll probably get to a couple of them. I'll let ye know how we get on.

GerardKeating

Caros wrote: »

Thanks! Lots of "food for thought" there! As we have 3 nights we'll probably get to a couple of them. I'll let ye know how we get on.

Da Tang in Middle street if you like noodles, and da Roberto's in Salthill if you like Italian..

boardswalker

I have to say, some of the recommendations would not feature in my list of "best of the best". I do understand, however, that opinions can vary.

This website gives a good run down on restaurants and, with a description for each, you might get a better sense of what each is like.

http://www.ireland-guide.com/discover/placesto.php?aArrQlt[15][]=211&s=Eat&county_id=721&town_id=747&x=32&y=7

jmauel

inisboffin wrote: »

Asian Tea House deffo, but them's fightin' words re the Indian:p

I used to be a Kashmir devotee, and love it for atmosphere, but find the food in Eastern Tandoori far superior! The Veg stuff anyway.

Sorry Inisboffin, I got to go with Kraggy on this one. Kashmir is far superior to the Eastern tandoori.

Beyond that Nimmos and cava are great. Also bar8 have started food and its pretty good.

neilthefunkeone

Was there last weekend for 2 nights.. We ate in Kasmir and Fat freddys bistro..
Enjoyed both of them, food and service was good.. Easy enough on the pocket too!!

If your out in salthill grab lunch in Oslo.. Yumm!!

WesternNight

Tamarind at the Spanish Arch is lovely if you like Asian food. The staff are nice too.

neilthefunkeone

WesternNight wrote: »

Tamarind at the Spanish Arch is lovely if you like Asian food. The staff are nice too.

Was looking in there but pocket wise it was not kind.. 20+ for a main..

Webbs

Galway isnt blessed with many really good eating places. Lots of those mentioned are nice enough but nothing special.

Abalone, nice intimate surroundings, with good local sourced food, good place for two of you

Sheridans on the docks, again nice surroundings, as you would expect from Sheridans the quality of produce is excellent and was impressed when went recently.

Ard Bia/Nimmos building is lovely and while not been for food here for a while have always had a good meal (one of the better places if you are after vegitarian options)

Malt House again usually good quality produce and a nice short but varied menu, usually a good atmosphere in there.

Cant comment on Artisan apart from menu looks good and great location

Then the OK and the bad, the Asian Tea House, Tamarind and the Indians (kashmir, Tulsi etc) are nice enough but not what you would call special.
Cookes is not good at all, nice surroundings but poor quality ingredients and not that well cooked.

HardyEustace

Ard Bia - lovely food, lovely surroundings but the woman who is hostess there will wreck your head so I avoid it.
Malt House - lovely food, great value on their menu, right in the middle of town.
Gemelles - used to love it, went there about two months ago and it was rubbish.
Martines - lovely food and lovely setting.
Cava - great food, relaxed atmosphere, service a little slow and neglectful
Kumars - lovely food and a nice warm atmosphere in the indian.
Tulsi - ditto
Das Robertos (Salthill) is lovely but a pain to get to

Apparently the chef from Ard Bia has moved to Bar8 so if you fancy lovely food in a pub-grub type atmosphere one night, then I'd go there.

brianthebard

GerardKeating wrote: »

Da Tang in Middle street if you like noodles,

You'd recommend it? I found it ok but don't think I'd go back again. For a start it was just random veg in my dish rather than the stuff advertised on the menu.

Black_Knight

brianthebard wrote: »

I really like the malt house.

+1 for the malt house.

Whats KC Blakes like?

HardyEustace

Black_Knight wrote: »

+1 for the malt house.

Whats KC Blakes like?

Very pretentious and crappy service.

Black_Knight

Sound. Ill not go there so.

Went to the quays a few weeks back. Twas nice, though my steak was a bit on the small side

HardyEustace

Black_Knight wrote: »

Sound. Ill not go there so.

Went to the quays a few weeks back. Twas nice, though my steak was a bit on the small side

If you like steak then I'd recommend the malt house. I was there just before Christmas and had the rib-eye steak that is part of their value menu (2 courses for 25euro). It was really well cooked and beautifully seasoned. Highly recommended.

Martines do a great steak as well.

Black_Knight

HardyEustace wrote: »

If you like steak then I'd recommend the malt house. I was there just before Christmas and had the rib-eye steak that is part of their value menu (2 courses for 25euro). It was really well cooked and beautifully seasoned. Highly recommended.

I did the same after Christmas. Lovely Rib-eye on their value menu. They had only recently put in their "magic" door to the Kings head, and they gave us 2 vouchers for free drinks.... and then 2 more (by mistake) as we left. It was a good night!

citycentre

Malt House for no nonsense great food, fresh locally sourced ingredients, excellent service and relaxed atmosphere (and often very good value as well.). It'd be my first choice if I had visitors.

Cava for some of the best and most unusual tapas style food I've ever tasted (including places in Spain), a lovely room and fantastic buzz to the place. Service can be indifferent though but it's not a huge issue as it's the kind of place you don't mind spending time in.

Abalone is nice with fantastic food but VERY intimate and lacks a little bit on the atmosphere front. It's the kind of place you feel like you have to talk really quietly or everyone will hear your conversation!

I've heard great things about Sheridans, Artisan is usually excellent and Martine's is always consistently good although the menu isn't overly exciting. Another place I've rediscovered lately is Kirwan's Lane - I was at a christmas party there and the food and service was fantastic.

Galway could do with a few more really interesting, high quality restaurants I'd say. For such a touristy, busy place the general standard of eating places is fairly average...

inisboffin

Forgot about Bar 8 - nicely presented food for pub grub for sure.

brianthebard

Was in number 8 for a food a little while ago actually (now that you mention it), wasn't too impressed. Gf was pretty unhappy with her steak. Really we went hoping to get the pie and pint for a tenner deal and it wasn't available. I think no.8 could probably be ok sometimes, but is a bit hit and miss atm anyways.

Madame Razz

Myself and the OH had a shocking meal in No. 8 too. What I had was ridiculously salty and greasy and his arrived out to him cold/uncooked in the centre 3 times. Yes they tried to recook it 3 times and still didn't get it right. The excuse given was 'teething' problems; which is a poor excuse for not cooking food properly IMO. Friends of ours had a poor meal there also quite recently.

I certainly won't be in any rush back to No 8 anytime soon tbh; worst food/restaurant experience I've had in a long long time.

?Cee?view

Caros wrote: »

Hello Galwegians!
My partner and I are spendin g a weekend in Galway in a few weeks and I was wondering if anyone could please recomend a really good restaurant in the city.
Thank you.

Hi Caros,

You've asked for a "really good restaurant" and "the best of the best".

Sad to say (and I'm a proud Galwegian), that while you'll find adequate and sometimes really tasty food in Galway, Galway is definitely not the place to come for food if you want "the best of the best". To be perfectly honest, there are no restaurants in Galway City that can really compare with the best elsewhere in Ireland.

Some have mentioned "The Malt House", "Cava", "Abalone" etc., and while these serve good wholesome simple food, none serve anything that could be described as creative or inspiring in any way.

If you want to have a solid no nonsense meal, with some good craic, Galway is for you.

If you want fine dining, or you fit that dreaded term of being "a foodie", you'd best go elsewhere (and before someone jumps down my throat I don't just mean Dublin!).

Good luck!

LowOdour

The Malt House value saver menu (with the Rib eye as mentioned)...does anyone know until what time is that menu served or is it always available?

heffo1

Defo try mcswiggans in woodquay, yummy!!

WesternNight

neilthefunkeone wrote: »

Was looking in there but pocket wise it was not kind.. 20+ for a main..

I've never paid 20 for a main course there. It's the seafood mains that are over 20. Anyway, the OP said they were looking for the best of the best, not necessarily budget places

ronnie3585

Kashmir FTW if you like your Indian, beautiful.

ErnieBert

My top 5 :

Thai Garden....if you like spicy food without MSG

Asian Tea House... as above plus food from Malaysia, Japan etc

Cookes....best non-foreign menu. I'm going there for Valentine's

Vina Mara.... although very pricy IMO

Malt House.... funky food

Arnold Layne

ronnie3585 wrote: »

Kashmir FTW if you like your Indian, beautiful.

Indian is down to a mtter of taste. I prefer Tulsi myself. Grat food and lean lamb. Not the fatty type that bounces around your mouth, which I have encountered during my very seldom visits to Kahmir.

Other than that, McSwiggans for the Smokies as a main course.

ronnie3585

Where's Tulsi?

Arnold Layne

Its on Buttermilk Walk between the Head Shop & The Sex Shop (get stoned, have an indian, plug the orifices ); thats between Middle Street & St. Augustine Street (Dole Office).

JohnCleary

I may get shot down, but when i'm bringing people for 'no nonsense' food I bring them out to Padraig'ins (sp?) in Furbo - it's nothing your mother will say the Rosery over, but i've yet to have someone complain about it. It does the job for me when entertaining - fills the belly in a decent fashion without breaking the bank. My only sacrifice is that I can't have a drink because i'm usually the driver when entertaining

Sorry this may not suit you totally as you're looking for "The best of the best" (nonsense IMHO as you don't define 'best')

ErnieBert

JohnCleary wrote: »

I may get shot down, but when i'm bringing people for 'no nonsense' food I bring them out to Padraig'ins (sp?) in Furbo - it's nothing your mother will say the Rosery over, but i've yet to have someone complain about it. It does the job for me when entertaining - fills the belly in a decent fashion without breaking the bank. My only sacrifice is that I can't have a drink because i'm usually the driver when entertaining

Sorry this may not suit you totally as you're looking for "The best of the best" (nonsense IMHO as you don't define 'best')

Good spot for Sunday lunch.

WesternNight

JohnCleary wrote: »

I may get shot down, but when i'm bringing people for 'no nonsense' food I bring them out to Padraig'ins (sp?) in Furbo - it's nothing your mother will say the Rosery over, but i've yet to have someone complain about it. It does the job for me when entertaining - fills the belly in a decent fashion without breaking the bank. My only sacrifice is that I can't have a drink because i'm usually the driver when entertaining

Sorry this may not suit you totally as you're looking for "The best of the best" (nonsense IMHO as you don't define 'best')

Yes actually we've been out to Pádraicíns a few times and have never had a bad experience.

Webbs

ErnieBert wrote: »

My top 5 :

Thai Garden....if you like spicy food without MSG

Asian Tea House... as above plus food from Malaysia, Japan etc

Cookes....best non-foreign menu. I'm going there for Valentine's

Vina Mara.... although very pricy IMO

Malt House.... funky food

The Asian food in Galway (whether Indian, Thai, Chinese) is at best average compared to what it should be. And sorry but I know you are off there for Valentine and its a lovely spot but the food at Cookes is well down on a list of places to eat in Galway.

One other place I had forgotten about that is a good place to go for food and a bit of an occasion is the Pullman restaurant at Glenlo Abbey.

?Cee?view

JohnCleary wrote: »

I may get shot down, but when i'm bringing people for 'no nonsense' food I bring them out to Padraig'ins (sp?) in Furbo - it's nothing your mother will say the Rosery over, but i've yet to have someone complain about it. It does the job for me when entertaining - fills the belly in a decent fashion without breaking the bank. My only sacrifice is that I can't have a drink because i'm usually the driver when entertaining

Sorry this may not suit you totally as you're looking for "The best of the best" (nonsense IMHO as you don't define 'best')

Padraigins have a service where they'll collect you, bring you to Padraigins, and drop you off when you're going home. Kind of a free taxi service for customers. Not sure if they go in as far as town though.

pleasant Co.

Pretty sure padraigins and the quays serve from identical menus, not sure if they're owned by the same people.

Blank_

I would strongly recommend BKs close to Spanish Arch.
Good French food and for different budgets (it can be very expensive for some dishs but Im always be happy with the "3 courses menu" for 15€!). Nice atmosphere for couples as well.

nerophis

since you've been brought out to County Galway with a few of the last posters then you should consider The White Gables in Moycullen. If a special occasion is on the cards look no further. Great food, great atmosphere, very friendly staff- not cheap by any means but definitely imho the "best of the best" in Galway (if you include a spin 6miles out).

A lot of other posters were noting that Galway doesn't have an outstanding restaurant (in the city) but what it does have is a lot of perfectly good places to eat and lots more of the "won't break the bank" type than most other places I know of in Ireland. For the size of the population it's outstanding