Is Galway a Foodie Mecca?

snubbleste

Is Galway really a foodie mecca?

Mrs OBumble

snubbleste wrote: »

Is Galway really a foodie mecca?

Shhhh ... theres things the tourists don't need to know!

deisedude

snubbleste wrote: »

Is Galway really a foodie mecca?

To be fair i think there is a lot of really nice restaurants in the city

snubbleste

deisedude wrote: »

To be fair i think there is a lot of really nice restaurants in the city

Isn't there everywhere?

Birroc

snubbleste wrote: »

Isn't there everywhere?

Not really no.

pleasant Co.

snubbleste wrote: »

Is Galway really a foodie mecca?

This actually seems to be a mostly unrelated question worthy of a thread of it's own.

Never heard Galway being described as a mecca for food lovers before though...

Buddy74

No, some great homemade food available but compared to other countries Ireland and Galway especially has no real cusine. Most restaurants have the same items on their menus

Links234

I think so, it's a fantastic place to eat out

UnleashTheBeast

No, we don't have a Nando's.

Mrs OBumble

Heaven is where the police are British Irish, the lovers French, the mechanics German, the chefs Italian, and it is all organized by the Swiss.

Hell is where the police are German, the lovers Swiss, the mechanics French, the chefs British Irish, and it is all organized by the Italians.

With adaptations from the interwebz.

kefir32

Sadly not

Interceptor

snubbleste wrote: »

Is Galway really a foodie mecca?

If you are a foodie living in the west of Ireland then yes, it is better than Castlerea, Swinford, Tuam or Athlone. If you are a foodie living in Waterford and trying to decide where to spend a gourmet weekend and the choices are London, Bordeaux, Milan, Galway or Barcelona then I'd say no pick any of the other places - its a matter of scale.

Galway is a small city with a good selection of reasonably priced restaurants and if you want somewhere nice to bring your auntie for meat and spuds then there is ample choice in the €15-€25 bracket - if you want really good Italian pizza there is only one place and its not in town. If you want good Indian food then there isn't anywhere worth talking about and likewise if you want really good fish that hasn't been 'baked' in a half pound of butter or deep fried to destruction you are going to end up walking a long way.

Since The Archway closed there hasn't been anywhere that produced food of internationally high standards that wasn't served with a pile of chewy 'foraged' leaves(weeds) on grated beetroot and served on a piece of builders rubble. Once you have eaten everything at Kai, Il Viccolo, Ard Bia, Aniar, Antons and the Kitchen then you are probably better off buying the ingredients at the Saturday market and cooking for yourself.

'c

?Cee?view

Interceptor wrote: »

Once you have eaten everything at Kai, Il Viccolo, Ard Bia, Aniar, Antons and the Kitchen then you are probably better off buying the ingredients at the Saturday market and cooking for yourself.

'c

Sadly largely true.

Birroc

?Cee?view wrote: »

Sadly largely true.

....Oscars, McCambridges, Rouge, High St Café, Venice Italian, Cava/Lunares....(also think Kai is overrated)

And then there are fine restaurants just outside Galway in Barna, Moycullen etc

kefir32

kai and ard bia are a little over rated imo, i just don't get the appeal as much any more. Oscars great for fish though, consistent too.

ned14

Was walking through town yesterday evening looking for somewhere new to eat and came across Venice (an Italian unsurprisingly). It's on Abbeygate Street Lower. Best pizza I've had in Galway yet! And overhearing the others in the restaurant everyone seemed to be commenting very positively on the food. If you look it up on google street view I think it was Trisha's sandwich bar when the photo was taken.

Also, had a steak in the Brasserie lately (Eglinton St). Expensive but also the best I've had in Galway by a long shot.

?Cee?view

Birroc wrote: »

....Oscars, McCambridges, Rouge, High St Café, Venice Italian, Cava/Lunares....(also think Kai is overrated)

And then there are fine restaurants just outside Galway in Barna, Moycullen etc

But with the exception of Oscars maybe in that list, there's nothing you wouldn't attempt fairly successfully at home. I suppose I mean that while they're ok, they're nothing special.

McCambridges - I love the decor, atmosphere etc. but other than that I really can't understand the fuss.

Kai overrated? Maybe for lunch but its dinner is in a Galway context exceptional.

Donnielighto

No nice pizA in town? Pizza napoli is the beat pizza I've had in ireland and its on cross street.

Birroc

ned14 wrote: »

Was walking through town yesterday evening looking for somewhere new to eat and came across Venice (an Italian unsurprisingly). It's on Abbeygate Street Lower. Best pizza I've had in Galway yet! And overhearing the others in the restaurant everyone seemed to be commenting very positively on the food. If you look it up on google street view I think it was Trisha's sandwich bar when the photo was taken.

Also, had a steak in the Brasserie lately (Eglinton St). Expensive but also the best I've had in Galway by a long shot.

Excellent Italian alright.

Forgot about the Brasserie, was there for lunch twice lately & lovely food.

Birroc

?Cee?view wrote: »

But with the exception of Oscars maybe in that list, there's nothing you wouldn't attempt fairly successfully at home. I suppose I mean that while they're ok, they're nothing special.

McCambridges - I love the decor, atmosphere etc. but other than that I really can't understand the fuss.

Kai overrated? Maybe for lunch but its dinner is in a Galway context exceptional.

In your opinion. Yes and in my opinion Kai is way overrated, I have had bad dinners there.

And no I wouldn't be able to "attempt fairly successfully at home" at the places I mentioned. I am not a trained chef. Just a trained taster!

?Cee?view

Birroc wrote: »

In your opinion.

Exactly. All our opinions here and each opinion is as valid as the other.

ben.schlomo

Interceptor wrote: »

If you are a foodie living in the west of Ireland then yes, it is better than Castlerea, Swinford, Tuam or Athlone. If you are a foodie living in Waterford and trying to decide where to spend a gourmet weekend and the choices are London, Bordeaux, Milan, Galway or Barcelona then I'd say no pick any of the other places - its a matter of scale.

Galway is a small city with a good selection of reasonably priced restaurants and if you want somewhere nice to bring your auntie for meat and spuds then there is ample choice in the €15-€25 bracket - if you want really good Italian pizza there is only one place and its not in town. If you want good Indian food then there isn't anywhere worth talking about and likewise if you want really good fish that hasn't been 'baked' in a half pound of butter or deep fried to destruction you are going to end up walking a long way.

Since The Archway closed there hasn't been anywhere that produced food of internationally high standards that wasn't served with a pile of chewy 'foraged' leaves(weeds) on grated beetroot and served on a piece of builders rubble. Once you have eaten everything at Kai, Il Viccolo, Ard Bia, Aniar, Antons and the Kitchen then you are probably better off buying the ingredients at the Saturday market and cooking for yourself.

'c

Pizza/Pasta Napoli on Cross St is the best ive had anywhere outside of Naples. Anyone who doesnt rate their pizza has an invalid opinion im afraid.:cool:

Iwannahurl

Galway tends to punch above its weight generally.

In my opinion, this city does better than average in terms of the number and quality of its restaurants and cafes. For example, one of the few Michelin-starred restaurants outside Dublin is in Galway (not that I'm a great fan of Aniar or anything).

Paddyfield

Galway exceeds at casual dining. There are some tasty spots to go where you don't have to dress up. I love Rouge, Thai Garden, Asian Tea House, Cooke's, Oslo, Dail, Galleon (with kids).

I have never been to Aniar because I suspect it would push me outside my comfort zone. People who love the Aniar experience will go back again and again, I have no doubt the food is top notch but it's not on my radar.

ned14

Paddyfield wrote: »

Galway exceeds at casual dining. There are some tasty spots to go where you don't have to dress up. I love Rouge, Thai Garden, Asian Tea House, Cooke's, Oslo, Dail, Galleon (with kids).

+1 for Rouge. Very good value too.

?Cee?view

?Cee?view wrote: »

But with the exception of Oscars maybe in that list, there's nothing you wouldn't attempt fairly successfully at home. I suppose I mean that while they're ok, they're nothing special.

You maybe, most people have no desire or the ability to cook anything bar the basics (I'm definitely including myself in that) so most stuff you get in restaurants is going to be a step up on what you make at home and a lot will be a big step up and a lot different.

kefir32

I remember a restaurant out in Moycullen in an old period house, (off the beaten track) closed about 7 or 8 years, was always a pleasure to dine.
Also Abalone on dominic street was one of my faves, miss these places the most.

?Cee?view

Atlas Weak Smoke wrote: »

You maybe, most people have no desire or the ability to cook anything bar the basics (I'm definitely including myself in that) so most stuff you get in restaurants is going to be a step up on what you make at home and a lot will be a big step up and a lot different.

Fair enough. Understood. It's just that with even the most basic skills you can cook as well as what is served in a lot of places in Galway. For instance, last week, I ate a €16 duck main course which consisted of overcooked duck breast (at home, put in pan to render/burn off fat and put in oven for a few minutes), mash (anyone can do mash) and assorted boiled veg with a gloopy sauce more like Chivers jam than anything. It's this sort of food that I find disappointing.

?Cee?view

kefir32 wrote: »

I remember a restaurant out in Moycullen in an old period house, (off the beaten track) closed about 7 or 8 years, was always a pleasure to dine.
Also Abalone on dominic street was one of my faves, miss these places the most.

That was Moycullen House. Half of the experience was finding the place! It had a real sense of occasion to it.

Links234

Hasn't been mentioned yet, but Kappa-Ya is easily some of the best Japanese food available outside of Japan. Most Japanese places this side of the world are pretty westernized to some degree, but Kappa-Ya is definitely the most authentic I've been to, the Katsudon there is just like I got over in Japan. The only other place I got a decent Katsudon was in London, and even then it wasn't as good.

kefir32

?Cee?view wrote: »

Fair enough. Understood. It's just that with even the most basic skills you can cook as well as what is served in a lot of places in Galway. For instance, last week, I ate a €16 duck main course which consisted of overcooked duck breast (at home, put in pan to render/burn off fat and put in oven for a few minutes), mash (anyone can do mash) and assorted boiled veg with a gloopy sauce more like Chivers jam than anything. It's this sort of food that I find disappointing.

totally agree with this point

Iwannahurl

kefir32 wrote: »

I remember a restaurant out in Moycullen in an old period house, (off the beaten track) closed about 7 or 8 years, was always a pleasure to dine.

Drimcong House. I ate there only a few times. Gerry Galvin died last year, unfortunately.

http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/59165/galway-farewells-a-champion-of-irish-food-

El_Dangeroso

No one has mentioned la fine bouche on sea road. So I will:

La Fine Bouche on Sea Road! Really reasonable ('bout 17 euros for a main), very fresh local ingredients, the menu changes weekly also.

Red Pepper

?Cee?view wrote: »

Fair enough. Understood. It's just that with even the most basic skills you can cook as well as what is served in a lot of places in Galway. For instance, last week, I ate a €16 duck main course which consisted of overcooked duck breast (at home, put in pan to render/burn off fat and put in oven for a few minutes), mash (anyone can do mash) and assorted boiled veg with a gloopy sauce more like Chivers jam than anything. It's this sort of food that I find disappointing.

Let me guess...Cookes restaurant?

I think Galway has excellent restaurants and more importantly excellent chefs.

Red Pepper

Paddyfield wrote: »

Galway exceeds at casual dining. There are some tasty spots to go where you don't have to dress up. I love Rouge, Thai Garden, Asian Tea House, Cooke's, Oslo, Dail, Galleon (with kids).

I have never been to Aniar because I suspect it would push me outside my comfort zone. People who love the Aniar experience will go back again and again, I have no doubt the food is top notch but it's not on my radar.

I hear you. Aniar is probably a bit "emperors new clothes" for my liking. Kai seems a bit similar, last meal I had there was all butter and salt which can often be a bad sign. Rouge, Oscars and Asian Tea House are superb.

Ballabriggs14

The restaurant experience in Galway is excellent given the size of the place.

The cost leaves a lot to be desired but that applies to pretty much everything in Ireland.

hifinut

To throw in my tuppence worth, best to date have been Abalone, Drimcong and yes Moycullenn house could be great, Oscars is excellent but I agree that there are indeed many overpriced ,overhyped establishments. The brasserie is v good and great service. My tip for anyone wanting something excellent and willing to take a drive is Taste Matters in Loughrea, its tiny, but wow the food is excellent. Owners are from Czech rep. I'm pretty sure, one is chef the other front of house , (the very best combination IMHO if you want a good restaurant). you need to book ahead. Pretty serious cooking in a friendly environment and won't break the bank. The best chowder in the west also.

detoxkid

Taste matters is yum. I work in loughrea so have only had lunch there but it is fantastic food

Wompa1

Galway has some pretty good restaurants but would agree with the notion that most have menus that are a carbon copy of each others.

Pizza Napoli is very good. It's the best Pizza in Galway since Bistro Bianconi closed. It's not the best Pizza I've ever had but in fairness, not so long ago all we had in Galway was feckin' Four Star!

Jogathon

No. It is not. But Galway rates itself highly on many things.


Kinsale, a tiny town in comparison, has so many nicer restaurants. Th only thing that is different is Aniar, and who am I to disagree/question a Michelin star?

civis_liberalis

UnleashTheBeast wrote: »

No, we don't have a Nando's.

And long may it continue.