Nice restaurants?

Nemanrio

Evening fellow members,

I am looking to bring the other half out for a meal for her birthday somewhere in Galway city centre.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thanks lads

PS She isn't really into indian/chinese food if that helps.

Links234

High Cafe is excellent, Hooked is fantastic if you want fish, or if you fancy Japanese, Kappa-ya is incredible and very authentic. Really depends on what you're into.

Mrs OBumble

Budget?
Style?

You say no Indian or Chinese - what about French, Thai, Italian? Or did you really mean no ethnic options? In which case, I'd suggest McSwiggans, who cater very well for the unadventurous palate.

Hooked is great, but I'm not sure if it's everyone's idea of a special birthday meal. The stream of people getting their takeways makes it feel not so restauranty.

biko

Brassierie on the corner
Cava
Aniar
Nimmos
Loam

L'prof

Oscar's is always worth a look of you like seafood.

biko

RAW sushi in Radisson is pretty good if you like sushi. Bit overpriced for what you get imo but it's a very nice restaurant and feels a bit special.

Zzippy

Kai, Ard Bia, Cava are all excellent

Nemanrio

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Budget?
Style?

You say no Indian or Chinese - what about French, Thai, Italian? Or did you really mean no ethnic options? In which case, I'd suggest McSwiggans, who cater very well for the unadventurous palate.

Hooked is great, but I'm not sure if it's everyone's idea of a special birthday meal. The stream of people getting their takeways makes it feel not so restauranty.

I'd pay up to €70. Anything European/South & central American is fine, she doesn't fancy Asian too much.

Surfacezebra

Kai if you've never been before.Simply the best restaurant in Galway city.

cooperguy

Nemanrio wrote: »

I'd pay up to €70. Anything European/South & central American is fine, she doesn't fancy Asian too much.

Is that per person or total?

Cava, Kai and Ard Bia are all excellent. Oscars for seafood. Loam or Aniar for some Fine Dining

beardybrewer

For a "nice" restaurant I'd be thinking more like 100 but that would be including a bottle of wine. Things are a lot cheaper without booze.

We went to Petite Poi recently which has 2 and 3 courses with or without wine pairings within OP's budget. A delicious, unpretentious, friendly night out. I see they're #2 on Tripadviser, well deserved.

Mrs OBumble

Venice is within your budget.

I think Cooke's is, too.

Nemanrio

cooperguy wrote: »

Is that per person or total?

Cava, Kai and Ard Bia are all excellent. Oscars for seafood. Loam or Aniar for some Fine Dining

Total, wine is a rip off in the vast majority of Irish restaurants so should be fine. on that front.

biko

70 total for two might not be enough in some of the mentioned places.
Check their various menues online.

Vina Mara and Malt House are also good.

inisboffin

biko wrote: »

70 total for two might not be enough in some of the mentioned places.
Check their various menues online.

Vina Mara and Malt House are also good.

If it's Mon-Wed, Vina Mara do amazing deals on mains, and you'd easily do it for under your budget OP.

ben.schlomo

We ate in Vina Mara last week, id steer clear OP, very average/poor on all fronts. For the budget you have id go with Quay St Kitchen, Tribeton or Massimo(great food).

flazio

Could it be possible that some restaurants do excellent some nights but poorly on other nights depending on which chef is on duty that night?

inisboffin

ben.schlomo wrote: »

We ate in Vina Mara last week, id steer clear OP, very average/poor on all fronts. For the budget you have id go with Quay St Kitchen, Tribeton or Massimo(great food).

In Massimo the other night and while some of the grub was tasty I do find it a bit overpriced for pub grub and staff seem very wearied and a little grumpy (tis the season I suppose).
I've no affiliation Vina Mara them but I eat there nearly once a week as a friend works a few doors down. We've consistently had good food all year, so I wonder if this was a one off for you? Did you have bad service? My only annoyance was when a loud party was in and spoiled the atmosphere and service was slower but that was an exception. I've eaten much of the menu selection at this point and still stand by the fact that for 10 euro for a main dish, you'd be hard pushed to get that quality elsewhere (mon-wed! )

biko

Please see point 8 in charter.
Just because food didn't suit person A there is nothing to say it won't suit person B.
Stay with recommendations only and let others make their own minds up.

Mervyn Skidmore

Thai Garden early bird is the best deal in town in my opinion. 4 courses for around €17. You'll be able to have wine/beer too and still come under budget.

ben.schlomo

inisboffin wrote: »

In Massimo the other night and while some of the grub was tasty I do find it a bit overpriced for pub grub and staff seem very wearied and a little grumpy (tis the season I suppose).
I've no affiliation Vina Mara them but I eat there nearly once a week as a friend works a few doors down. We've consistently had good food all year, so I wonder if this was a one off for you? Did you have bad service? My only annoyance was when a loud party was in and spoiled the atmosphere and service was slower but that was an exception. I've eaten much of the menu selection at this point and still stand by the fact that for 10 euro for a main dish, you'd be hard pushed to get that quality elsewhere (mon-wed! )

Chowder tasted like cream, very little in it too. Chunky chips were in fact skinny fries. A chicken curry which Id describe as poorer than the Gbc, Turkey and ham with what tasted like bisto or definitely a shop bought gravy. I definitely will be giving it a wide berth in future. Previously had two good meals in there in the last cupla years.

inisboffin

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Chowder tasted like cream, very little in it too. Chunky chips were in fact skinny fries. A chicken curry which Id describe as poorer than the Gbc, Turkey and ham with what tasted like bisto or definitely a shop bought gravy. I definitely will be giving it a wide berth in future. Previously had two good meals in there in the last cupla years.

Fair enough but 2 good out of 3 is still good odds and personally I wouldn't avoid a place after one bad meal. As I said I've eaten there dozens of times over the last year.
Disclosure: Ive only eaten there weekdays so not sure if chef is the same
Mainly came in to say we ate there tonight too and it was top notch. They do fish really well.

beardybrewer

inisboffin wrote: »

I've no affiliation Vina Mara them but I eat there nearly once a week as a friend works a few doors down. We've consistently had good food all year, so I wonder if this was a one off for you?

I have reservations with the missus for Friday so I'm glad you chimed in. I haven't eaten there in a couple of years but a lot can change in that time. Most recent reviews on Tripadviser still positive with owner actively reading each and responding. Perhaps Ben should post his review there so they get the feedback. Hoping it was a one-off, probably happens more often this time of year.

Mahogany Gaspipe

Does anyone recommend The Latin Quarter Bistro & Wine Bar. It seems to be highly rated on Tripadviser.

dixiefly

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Venice is within your budget.

I think Cooke's is, too.

+1 to Venice. Nice Italian restaurant.

Mrs OBumble

Mahogany Gaspipe wrote: »

Does anyone recommend The Latin Quarter Bistro & Wine Bar. It seems to be highly rated on Tripadviser.

I suspect most of us who live here have just looked at the name and location and assumed "tourist-ville, best avoided" - I know Mr OBumble and I have. So lack of recommendations on boards isn't necessarily a bad thing, in this case.

Martines on Quay street is definitively worth a visit, they do lovely steaks (have great selection too) and have an excellent pulled pork burger among other things.

Notch000

Bar number 1 at the docks is fantastic & very reasonably priced

Mrs OBumble

Notch000 wrote: »

Bar number 1 at the docks is fantastic & very reasonably priced

Just to be pedantic, the pub underneath is called Dock 1. The restaurant on top is called O'Conaire's on the Docks.

There used to be Bar 8 just up the road, but it's now called Nova(?) doing a sit-down Asian street food thing (very similar to Lana).

Never been a Bar 1, AFAIK.

Links234

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

There used to be Bar 8 just up the road, but it's now called Nova(?) doing a sit-down Asian street food thing (very similar to Lana).

I think it's called Neo? Nova is on the corner across from The Beirhaus, formerly a horrendously tacky gay bar.

ned14

If it's the other half you're bringing, Rouge is certainly somewhere to consider. Food is very good, atmosphere will earn you some brownie points too!

Fixed menu of starter selection and steak/fish/vegetarian for €19.

Baggy Trousers

ned14 wrote: »

If it's the other half you're bringing, Rouge is certainly somewhere to consider. Food is very good, atmosphere will earn you some brownie points too!

Fixed menu of starter selection and steak/fish/vegetarian for €19.

Yeah completely agree, I think Rouge is exactly what the OP is looking for.

beardybrewer

I'm ready to give up on Rouge, we've had too many "off" nights and their prices have risen to be as much as better options.

ned14

beardybrewer wrote: »

I'm ready to give up on Rouge, we've had too many "off" nights and their prices have risen to be as much as better options.

I've had an occasion where the steak was cooked French style (i.e. Ordered medium, got medium rare), but that's the sum total of my bad experiences there and been 7-8 times at this stage. I would recommend going when it's quieter, like anywhere the service is generally better then.

Links234

I think High Cafe would be my general go-to recommendation, they've got a great menu, with quite a lot of different styles of dishes, be it pastas, pizza, burgers, fish and chips, or the excellent Moroccan fare. The marinated lamb skewers are absolutely amazing, the side dips even include habenero sauce which is really something. Must try the koftas or a Moroccan stew next time, they look really good.

Personally, I go there for the Moroccan dishes, but if that's not your thing, there's so much more, and its really good. The fish and chips were great, and I have friends who swear by the burgers. Prices are great too, some of the best value you can get in the city centre by far.

Baggy Trousers

beardybrewer wrote: »

I'm ready to give up on Rouge, we've had too many "off" nights and their prices have risen to be as much as better options.

I am the same for Kai which people rave about. 2 great nights & 2 "off" nights.
Rouge is usually good (easy menu I suppose) and the atmosphere is really nice. Perfect for couples.

I do love the High Café too but I doubt it would impress a partner for a special night out.

Alcoheda

The black cat in salthill is fantastic. Might be a bit out of the way but you can have a nice walk on the prom when you're finished your meal.

Baggy Trousers

Alcoheda wrote: »

The black cat in salthill is fantastic. Might be a bit out of the way but you can have a nice walk on the prom when you're finished your meal.

Agreed. Great tapas. The Office pub a few doors down has a lovely pint too.

weshtawake

Where is the High Cafe???

Links234

weshtawake wrote: »

Where is the High Cafe???

Above the Bunch of Grapes on high street.

Notch000

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Just to be pedantic, the pub underneath is called Dock 1. The restaurant on top is called O'Conaire's on the Docks.

There used to be Bar 8 just up the road, but it's now called Nova(?) doing a sit-down Asian street food thing (very similar to Lana).

Never been a Bar 1, AFAIK.

Neo is very nice but I woudent realy call it a ''restaurant'' more of a causal dinning experience / take away. much nicer grub than Lana (but lanas not bad either.

Nemanrio

Thanks for all the replies.

I went Cava & the tapas were simply delicious. Service was very good & the place was packed. Great city. :cool: