Best cafes/coffee houses/places to sit & chill for a while

LucyBliss · 03-01-2010 09:57PM #1

I feel hopelessly out of touch with Galway these days because for a long time now I've been helping to care for my grandmother, (who will be 101 next month). After finally hassling the relevant authorities, I've now got home help for a few hours most afternoons so I actually have some free time.

I just want to know a few places where I can sit and take it easy for a couple of hours with a cup of tea and a book, and not feel like the staff are going shoo me out the minute I finish eating.
Any help would be much appreciated!

Das Kitty · 03-01-2010 10:02PM

Java's are very laid back.

I really miss Cafe du Journal on Quay Street, used to wile away the hours in there years ago.

WooPeeA · 03-01-2010 10:41PM

I usually go to "G" if I need some relax. You can listen to some live piano there sometimes as well..

03-01-2010 10:46PM

WooPeeA wrote: »

I usually go to "G" if I need some relax. You can listen to some live piano there sometimes as well..

How much is a coffee there? €20 ?

ingalway · 03-01-2010 10:46PM

Ard Bia Cafe by the Spanish Arch is excellent, lovely atmosphere, great coffee/tea and the food is really good. Enjoy.

WooPeeA · 03-01-2010 11:07PM

rarnes1 wrote: »

How much is a coffee there? €20 ?

Latte with some brownie costs me €5.

Mrs OBumble · 03-01-2010 11:09PM

Most cafes would be too small for that, I think.

Lynch's on Shop St is large enough that you won't get chased out.

Maybe Providence on Abbeygate/Augustine Sts - it's got a front an back half, you're out of the staff's eyes in the back.

Not sure about the upstairs in the Born store - it'd be worth it for the view (on a nice day) though.

Maybe some pubs/hotels in the afternoon too: I did coffee in the Westwood (Newcastle) the other week, and I've been told that the Arduilaun (spelling? on Taylors Hill) is nice too.

A couple of hours might be pushing it in most places .. you may need to buy several cups of tea. Or be advertureous and try their coffee too

Or if you just want a place to sit, try the museum: they have some chairs overlooking the Corrib/Claddagh, 'tis a nice spot when the sun is shining.

LucyBliss · 03-01-2010 11:42PM

Hah, don't worry, JustMary, I wasn't planning on nursing a cup of tea for half the day anywhere in town. I just meant somewhere I'd be able to drink at my leisure for a bit, which is a novelty for me when it happens because it's usually when I'm sitting down to eat or drink something that my grandmother decides she needs something!

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone, I look forward to trying them over the coming weeks.

inisboffin · 04-01-2010 12:30AM

House Hotel (foyer/front) is grand too for a chill coffee/tea. They have a €7 afternoon light menu (panini, burger/fish and chips even). They can be a bit slow to take your order but perfect for a lazy day with a friend or a paper

Front Door is grand in the afternoon too, if you aren't taking seats in a busy time.

sells · 04-01-2010 01:38AM

neachtains is very good, nice warm quiet pub, with a fire, nice sats and old relaxed rustic feel...coffee and a book there is great...lovely music too.

WesternNight · 04-01-2010 01:40AM

Java's is a nice relaxing place to have a coffee. It's my regular place.

Lynch's have lovely coffee, but it's not quite as cosy. Easier to get a table at peak times than Java's though.

The Home Gallery (upstairs in Born) is quite nice. It's different. They have lovely cakes and brownies and scones that you serve yourself. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's not very private. There's also a proper cafe area downstairs but I've never been there. They do lunches and stuff as well as the coffee and cakes.

Haven't been to any of the others mentioned, so can't comment on those.

Enjoy your free time, by the way. My mother looked after my grandmother for 4 years when she moved up to live with us. Having been involved in a lot of it myself...I know how necessary those little breaks are.

Kelda09 · 04-01-2010 01:47AM

"Or if you just want a place to sit, try the museum: they have some chairs overlooking the Corrib/Claddagh, 'tis a nice spot when the sun is shining."

Sorry, dont know what happened, the quote didnt work...

Hi JustMary, where is the museum in Galway?

WooPeeA · 04-01-2010 01:59AM

Kelda09 wrote: »

Hi JustMary, where is the museum in Galway?

By the Spanish Arch, check out the map:

http://www.galwaycitymuseum.ie/location/

brianthebard · 04-01-2010 05:56AM

inisboffin wrote: »

House Hotel (foyer/front) is grand too for a chill coffee/tea. They have a €7 afternoon light menu (panini, burger/fish and chips even). They can be a bit slow to take your order but perfect for a lazy day with a friend or a paper

Front Door is grand in the afternoon too, if you aren't taking seats in a busy time.

house hotel is a nice spot, as is the sushi place down the road from it. If you order a pot of tea they will give you a free top up, so you could be there for an hour or more at least just on a pot of tea-about 2.50 iirc.

Mrs OBumble · 04-01-2010 12:03PM

LucyBliss wrote: »

Hah, don't worry, JustMary, I wasn't planning on nursing a cup of tea for half the day anywhere in town.

In your situation ... I would!

A coffee can last for 45-60 minutes ...

I've done quite a bit of travelling by myself, have got quite good at figuring out which places won't get stressed if you occupy a table with only one person, or for a bit longer than necessary.

padraig71 · 04-01-2010 01:05PM

If you're not too fussed about the coffee and just want somewhere to sit and read, the library is a good bet.

Rayne · 04-01-2010 01:24PM

JustMary wrote: »

Maybe Providence on Abbeygate/Augustine Sts - it's got a front an back half, you're out of the staff's eyes in the back.

Oh no they do keep an eye on you! A friend and his brother were in there recently, ordered and ate their food and were chatting a while (20-25 mins) and decided to order a treat and more coffee, as one went to order, the other was asked by staff if they were ready to leave as they needed to clear the table for other customers.
She asked how long they'd be with the coffees!

Not a dig Providence, I love the place,(well the food and tea at least) but maybe don't get too comfy!

I like places like the Front door or the Dail, nice fire, staff don't bother you too much and its big enough to not feel in the way at rush hours!

mike kelly · 04-01-2010 01:34PM

Das Kitty wrote: »

Java's are very laid back.

I really miss Cafe du Journal on Quay Street, used to wile away the hours in there years ago.

Whatever happened to that place?

Jimmyboss · 04-01-2010 01:39PM

What's Goya's like?

_Whimsical_ · 04-01-2010 02:55PM

Jimmyboss wrote: »

What's Goya's like?

Goyas is lovely and has nice cakes but unless it's changed a lot it's not somewhere you can sit for too long with just a coffee.

Antons on Father Griffin Road used to be lovely for just sitting around people watching and reading.It had a lovely atmosphere but I hear it's more busy these days .
Cafe Du Journal was the best cafe in Galway. It's a real shame that it closed up shop.

Last time I was in Arabica in Salthil I was the only one there. I'd say they'd be happy enough to leave you sitting drinking a coffee and making the place look semi alive these days.

inisboffin · 04-01-2010 04:04PM

+1 about Providence. After 2 or three similar experiences where I was meeting people, sad to say they have lost my regular custom. I'll only go in there now if someone insists or the most convenient. Anton's is lovely but can be busy.
If you're up around Westside, Bistro Bianchoni has really good coffee (pizza is divine) but most of all the staff are lovely. If it's packed then don't stay ages, but a lot of their biz is take away.

bills · 04-01-2010 04:04PM

mocha beans on cross street or arabica dominick street

Sea Devils · 04-01-2010 04:41PM

Tiki Cafe in the Galway Shopping centre might be what you're looking for.

surime · 04-01-2010 05:42PM

Rayne wrote: »

Oh no they do keep an eye on you! A friend and his brother were in there recently, ordered and ate their food and were chatting a while (20-25 mins) and decided to order a treat and more coffee, as one went to order, the other was asked by staff if they were ready to leave as they needed to clear the table for other customers.
She asked how long they'd be with the coffees!

Not a dig Providence, I love the place,(well the food and tea at least) but maybe don't get too comfy!

I like places like the Front door or the Dail, nice fire, staff don't bother you too much and its big enough to not feel in the way at rush hours!

-well, as there is no place to sit and have a lunch for stuff - I could understand that... ( owner = nuts )

lion_bar · 04-01-2010 06:15PM

House hotel is nice.

I like the Meyrick (spelling?) on Eyre Square too, it's never busy when i've been there.

I'd also recomment the Living room 1.50 for a coffee & free apple, and nice staff too.

3-D Preacher · 05-01-2010 01:26AM

mike kelly wrote: »

Whatever happened to that place?

Cafe Du Journal became Rodeo, an "Old West" themed restaurant, which has recently been changed to Jalapeno, a spanish/mexican-themed place. Bah, Cafe Du Journal was my favorite cafe. Scribblers was also great (now Kappa-Ya on Middle Street). You could order a spanish omelette and wine and just chill out on the couch downstairs for hours on end.

Riordans on Quay Street is a nice place - I've never felt rushed by the staff and they offer regular top-ups if they notice your coffee is running low. Can be a bit noisy at times however.

I would also recommend the little Japanese cafe (near the docks and the House Hotel) mentioned previously and Coco on Eyre Street for their friendly and laid-back staff.

The Living Room sadly no longer exists. It is now a fakey new/old pub called Sallys, I think.

citycentre · 05-01-2010 03:13AM

3-D Preacher wrote: »

The Living Room sadly no longer exists. It is now a fakey new/old pub called Sallys, I think.

It's Kelly's and its a lot more pleasant and cosy than the dingey Living Room ever was.... Definitely a great place to sit and relax with a coffee and the paper...

WooPeeA · 05-01-2010 03:58AM

Kellys? Mm.. This place will always remind me too noisy music. Never been there during the day.

popo000 · 05-10-2013 08:38AM

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

Cafe Du Journal was the best cafe in Galway. It's a real shame that it closed up shop.

anyone mentioned that lovely place?

I was working in that place to be honest. Great craic:D
here is some very unique picture of that place :

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

05-10-2013 09:44AM

popo000 wrote: »

anyone mentioned that lovely place?

I was working in that place to be honest. Great craic:D
here is some very unique picture of that place :

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Hmm Zombie thread.

I wonder what the angle is here!

popo000 · 05-10-2013 09:48AM

rarnes1 wrote: »

Hmm Zombie thread.

I wonder what the angle is here!

I google "cafe du journal" and this forum came up. :pac:

Best cafes/coffee houses/places to sit & chill for a while

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