Your favourite restaurant?

Pebbles!

What's your favourite restaurant in or around Galway?

Camo22

Pebbles! wrote: »

What's your favourite restaurant in or around Galway?

Supermacs!

Shane.C

Fat Freddy's

Pebbles!

Camo22 wrote: »

Supermacs!

Well you won't go hungry so! Enough of them around!!

ben.schlomo

Pebbles! wrote: »

What's your favourite restaurant in or around Galway?

If you are looking for recommendations then just search it above as its been done to death recently numerous times.

biko

Indeed. Title changed from "Best restaurant?" to the OPs question "Your favourite restaurant?" as my favourite restaurant might not be your favourite and "best" refers to personal taste.

My current fav place is the High Café on High Street. It has really nice pizzas and good staff.

ben.schlomo

biko wrote: »

Indeed. Title changed from "Best restaurant?" to the OPs question "Your favourite restaurant?" as my favourite restaurant might not be your favourite and "best" refers to personal taste.

My current fav place is the High Café on High Street. It has really nice pizzas and good staff.

High Cafe is great, their tagines are as authentic as ive had outside Morocco.

Cheshire Cat

My personal favourite at the moment is Kai on Sea Road.
As people never grow tired to point out: have a look at the menu first, it's not for everybody.
They do quirky seasonal food with locally sourced ingredients

Interceptor

McCambridges for lunch, Kai for evening food and Ard Bia for special occasions. Artisan slipping lately and Kirwans Lane off my list.

'cptr

Seaneh

Kai, easily my favourite. Anair for special occasions or if I just want something totally different to anywhere else in Ireland.

whatlliwear

Rouge.. MmmmmmmMM.

biddywiddy

I had a great meal in Kai last weekend. First time I ate there in the evening, and it was really good.

Rouge is another great spot, and I find Vina Mara is really reliable and good value.

jenniferalan

Oscars in Dominic street, it's expensive so only for an occasion!

Red Pepper

Da Robertas
Kirwans Lane
Oscars
White Gables (Moycullen)

Went to Kai once recently and was very disappointed after all the rave reviews. All 3 dishes (crab, pork, tart) were very average even though others at the table seemed to enjoy theirs.

Mrs OBumble

Cafe Venice

dloob

Tamarind
Looking for a new favourite.

Cerulean Chicken

It's always a tie between Cava and Vina Mara for me. Ate in Kai once and was disappointed with it, 5 out of 6 courses we had between us were disappointing.

Red Pepper

Cerulean Chicken wrote: »

Ate in Kai once and was disappointed with it, 5 out of 6 courses we had between us were disappointing.

Starting to think Kai is a bit of Emperors New Clothes if you know what I mean. As I stated early, I had a poor meal there very recently - someone else at the table had the same crab starter as me and thought it was nice but I eat a lot of seafood and it was very very average.

Cerulean Chicken

Red Pepper wrote: »

Starting to think Kai is a bit of Emperors New Clothes if you know what I mean. As I stated early, I had a poor meal there very recently - someone else at the table had the same crab starter as me and thought it was nice but I eat a lot of seafood and it was very very average.

Definitely! Exactly how I feel about it.

dloob

I do like Cava but sometimes the service is atrocious which puts me off going back.

Seaneh

Red Pepper wrote: »

Starting to think Kai is a bit of Emperors New Clothes if you know what I mean. As I stated early, I had a poor meal there very recently - someone else at the table had the same crab starter as me and thought it was nice but I eat a lot of seafood and it was very very average.

Cerulean Chicken wrote: »

Definitely! Exactly how I feel about it.

Well, seeing as they won the food lovers choice award at the Good Food Ireland Awards and have had nothing but positive reviews from every one from the Michelin Guide to Georgia Campbell since they opened and Jess has won Best Chef in Connaught several times in the last few years, I reckon you'd both be in a very tiny minority in your views.

thesandeman

For fans of Cava it might be worth checking out Lunares in Woodquay.

I won't give my opinion as I am a fan of JP but it would be interesting to see what other people think of the alternative.

Eviledna

Seaneh wrote: »

But I guess there is no accounting for taste.

That's a bit far! Every single restaurant in the world, even the michelin starred ones, have off nights and bad meals leave the kitchen. What the other posters may have experienced the margin of error in Kai. I have eaten there myself and though I loved my meal, my OH's venison was served rare when requested medium-done. And my "chocolate mousse" was in fact chocolate ganache, and I know my desserts

I once ate in a 3 Michelin star restaurant in New York. It was the best meal of my life. Right across from our table there were people complaining about their meal. Happens everywhere regardless of standard.

Back on topic, I love the West restaurant in the Twelve in Barna.

Ilovelucy

Cafe Wa - on Dock st. love it

pleasant Co.

Seaneh wrote: »

But I guess there is no accounting for taste.

Meow, this kitty's got claws :P

Seaneh

thesandeman wrote: »

For fans of Cava it might be worth checking out Lunares in Woodquay.

I won't give my opinion as I am a fan of JP but it would be interesting to see what other people think of the alternative.

Im a big fan of JP and everyong at Eat Galway as well but for me Lunares is the dogs bollocks. Its actual spanish tapas. Cava is just spanish influenced food served tapas style. There are very few things you'd find in a tapas bar in spain on the menu. It (cava) is great food, but its not really authentic. Where as Lunares is IMO.

That said, if I was bringing a ladyfriend out for a meal, and I had to pick between the two, I'd pick Cava, as it's a lot "fancier" of the two. Lunares has a very, very casual atmosphere.

Cerulean Chicken

dloob wrote: »

I do like Cava but sometimes the service is atrocious which puts me off going back.

Yes once we had very poor service, and it was a night we were out for a special occasion so it was very disappointing. But that was probably the only bad thing that I've ever experienced there, the food has always been amazing and usually the service is perfect.

thesandeman wrote: »

For fans of Cava it might be worth checking out Lunares in Woodquay.

I won't give my opinion as I am a fan of JP but it would be interesting to see what other people think of the alternative.

Briefly heard of that place, must give it a go. I'm a big fan of JP too, Eat at Massimo is great too, the burgers are amazing. The biggest criticism I would have of Cava - and it's very minor in the actual grand scheme of being a good restaurant - is they update their facebook page far too often, I'll often have 5-7 posts/pictures/links from them in a 2 hour period, gets annoying, overkill.

And thanks Eviledna for quoting Seaneh so his ninja edit couldn't hide what he said People have different opinions, views and tastes, just because they're not the same as yours doesn't mean they're wrong!

Red Pepper

Seaneh wrote: »

Well, seeing as they won the food lovers choice award at the Good Food Ireland Awards and have had nothing but positive reviews from every one from the Michelin Guide to Georgia Campbell since they opened and Jess has won Best Chef in Connaught several times in the last few years, I reckon you'd both be in a very tiny minority in your views.

Maybe so but I am generally a positive person and I was really looking forward to eating in Kai. However my one and only visit was very poor, no question about it, so perhaps they need to work on their consistency or maybe I should just shut up and sing Kai's praises like everyone else?

Red Pepper

By the way, a few of my friends (including some vegetarians) have been raving about Bar8 on the docks. Is it that good? The location always strikes me as odd. There is probably a thread on it here if I look.

Cerulean Chicken

Red Pepper wrote: »

By the way, a few of my friends (including some vegetarians) have been raving about Bar8 on the docks. Is it that good? The location always strikes me as odd. There is probably a thread on it here if I look.

I ate there once, it was good. The last two times I've tried to go there it was closed, despite it being during the opening hours I found listed (but that varies in different places anyway). I tried calling and sent an email to find out their hours once and for all, no answer on the phone, no reply to the email. So I stopped, if they don't want customers that's grand!

Cathal01

Bar Eight is amazing, I would gladly eat there every time I am eating out as I have never been disappointed. I've often gone and had three starters instead of a main because I can never choose. Also I think it is very inexpensive considering the quality. Chocolate tasting plate is divine.

We went to go there last Friday and it said outside it was closed due to electrical problems, I had rang beforehand too but no answer. We ended up in the Eastern Tandoori, which to my surprise was possibly the best Indian I've ever had.

fifib

Cathal01 wrote: »

Bar Eight is amazing, I would gladly eat there every time I am eating out as I have never been disappointed. I've often gone and had three starters instead of a main because I can never choose.

sorry to side track but do people do this often..order a number of starters instead of just 1 main? Myself and OH were out for dinner last weekend with another couple in a certain restaurant and they wanted to order 6 starters between 2 of them to share. they were refused with staff saying it was policy that you order a starter and a main course. I was just going to order a main as I wasnt that hungry for starter and main and with that and them not being allowed to order a number of smaller dishes instead of a main each we left. now they were pretty busy that night and managed to jam us into a small corner where we were sitting on top of one another and we even bit our tongues having to wait 20mins before we could order a drink even but turning down our order was the tipping point!...needless to say we wont be going there again...

Mr_A

Went to Bar 8 recently and while my meal was ok several people at the table were very disappointed with theirs and the service was pretty awful. Drink orders were got wrong repeatedly for example. I liked that there was a full bar with lots of selection, but still won't be going back any time soon.

Hard to think of a favourite at the moment, was in Vina Mara recently and it was great value but food was just ok.

Eddie Rocket's is consistently good though

3qsmavrod5twfe

Personally, I like Cava, it gives me the option of having a bit of everything! Given that I always get food envy (i.e you see what's on someone else's plate and say to yourself "Gaaah, I wish I ordered that") it's a winner.

ValerieR

I have always eaten without disappointment in Bar 8. Their food is great, but the one thing that puts me off is how noisy the place gets due to its bare concrete walls.
Same comment on the Gourmet Tart Co. in Salthill.

Cerulean Chicken

What are Bar 8's opening hours so? Can anyone give me "proper" hours, as I thought they were open Saturdays for brunch/lunch, the sign that was locked inside the door the Saturday lunchtime I went there said the same :rolleyes:

Cathal01

As far as I'm aware it's 6pm Tuesday to Saturday, and earlier Sunday for Sunday lunch? Could be wrong.

Cathal01

fifib wrote: »

sorry to side track but do people do this often..order a number of starters instead of just 1 main? Myself and OH were out for dinner last weekend with another couple in a certain restaurant and they wanted to order 6 starters between 2 of them to share. they were refused with staff saying it was policy that you order a starter and a main course. I was just going to order a main as I wasnt that hungry for starter and main and with that and them not being allowed to order a number of smaller dishes instead of a main each we left. now they were pretty busy that night and managed to jam us into a small corner where we were sitting on top of one another and we even bit our tongues having to wait 20mins before we could order a drink even but turning down our order was the tipping point!...needless to say we wont be going there again...

I'm not sure, it's really the only place I do it.

Rylan

Can't beat McSwiggans.

ft9

Love The Huntsman

ben.schlomo

Rylan wrote: »

Can't beat McSwiggans.

Yes you can. [EMAIL="Eat@Massimo"]Eat@Massimo[/EMAIL] for instance.

shortys94

Went to sushi in the sky, was so so good!

dr.bollocko

Oscars is seriously back on the up lately. Really been impressed the last few times I went.
Their menus have a good mix between cheaper and more expensive options and the food has really impressed of late. Just checked and it's number 1 on trip advisor!

I was in Aniar after it won the coveted star and it was impressive but too pricey for a regular visit.... Not that it wasn't worth it or that it's not good value for the calibre of meal they serve.

Raw has some really good sushi. It blows wa cafe out of the water for me. Ever since it's opened I haven't gone back to wa and I used to be a regular there.

Rouge has excellent wine and a great atmosphere.... Sometimes the crowds there can make it a bit boisterous... but that's just because of how damn popular it is. It's near impossible to get a reservation at short notice.

I've found artisan has somewhat dipped of late. I would swear by the place in the past but of late I've found it a little bit more hit and miss. I've still had some gorgeous plates of food served there though.

Gourmet tart in salthill always has great specials. One thing I've noticed is that can have problems moving from busy day time cafe hot spot to night time sit down meal and date mode so the later you go in the better the atmosphere tends to be.

inisboffin

Hadn't been in Ard Bia for a while at night, but was there recently, and have to say I had one of the top 5 meals I have ever had. It's one of my favourite buildings in Galway, so when atmosphere, service and food come together so well, it makes for a special night.

challengemaster

Nail on the head Bollocko. +1

Oscars is miles out in front for fish. Had wolf fish there during the summer, and can easily say it's the best fish I've ever eaten. And I eat a decent amount of fish.

Sushi (and everything) in RAW is excellent and everything is well priced. Will definitely be going back.

In over 4 years I've yet to get a bad meal in McSwiggans, and I've probably tried everything on the menu by now. So that's probably the favorite.

inisboffin

challengemaster wrote: »

In over 4 years I've yet to get a bad meal in McSwiggans, and I've probably tried everything on the menu by now. So that's probably the favorite.

McSwiggans is a favourite of some family members who have been going there for years. I have had a couple of nice meals in there with them. But I have to say it's like Jekyl and Hyde with the staff.
I've either had extremely helpful or downright rude and obnoxious, the latter being mostly younger staff. There's apparently a higher likelihood of the latter when the 'menu is being changed over' (according to an older relative, who has complained too as she is a regular). I've witnessed this polar opposite in another cafe too. And yes, I have made it known either financially or with a comment if the service was bad.

ben.schlomo

inisboffin wrote: »

McSwiggans is a favourite of some family members who have been going there for years. I have had a couple of nice meals in there with them. But I have to say it's like Jekyl and Hyde with the staff.
I've either had extremely helpful or downright rude and obnoxious, the latter being mostly younger staff. There's apparently a higher likelihood of the latter when the 'menu is being changed over' (according to an older relative, who has complained too as she is a regular). I've witnessed this polar opposite in another cafe too. And yes, I have made it known either financially or with a comment if the service was bad.

Yep same here on McSwig and know of a group who went last week and all round were very disappointed with the food, not somewhere id ever go again. Rouge is awesome though, great service, super food and the wine aint half bad either.