Galway, a port city in western Ireland, is an art city located on the Atlantic coast. It is not only famous for its festivals and folk songs, but also a paradise for food lovers. Especially when the sea breeze blows on your face and the sunset falls on the sparkling sea, sitting in a restaurant by the sea and savoring delicious food, this experience is no longer just a pleasure for the taste buds, but also an enjoyment of the eyes and the soul.
1. Ard Bia at Nimmos: An artistic and delicious journey after crossing the stone bridge
Restaurant history and background
Located next to the Spanish Arch in Galway, Ard Bia at Nimmos is an art restaurant that combines local ingredients with Mediterranean flavors. The restaurant is located in a century-old stone house, and the interior is warm and artistic.
Since it was founded by Aoibheann MacNamara in 2004, it has become a cultural gathering place for literati and artists, and each dish is like a work of art.
Food Features and Taste Analysis
The chef’s design is often based on local organic ingredients in Ireland, incorporating Nordic and Mediterranean cooking techniques.
Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with beetroot puree and wild herb sauce: The lamb shoulder is tender and tasty, with a delicate but not greasy taste, which contrasts sharply with the pureed beetroot. The herb sauce brings out a fresh aftertaste, and the whole dish is rich in layers.
Atlantic sea bass with fermented lemon and green bean puree: The fish skin is fried crispy, the fish meat retains moisture, and the slightly sour fermented lemon enhances the flavor, which is a typical “sea breeze taste” experience.
Spiced carrot cake with caramel sauce: The dessert is also very creative. The traditional carrot cake has been modified with spices such as nutmeg and cloves, which is fragrant.
Location and reservation method
The address is next to the Spanish Arch stone bridge, about 10 minutes walk from the center of Galway. It is recommended to make online reservations through OpenTable or ResDiary, especially during the peak tourist season, you need to make reservations more than a week in advance.
Cost
The average price of the main course is between €26-€35, and the three-course dinner with drinks is about €60-€75/person. Although the price is mid-to-high-end, the comprehensive experience of the environment and cuisine is definitely worth the money.
2. O’Grady’s on the Pier: A seafood legend from a fisherman’s village
Restaurant history and background
O’Grady’s on the Pier is located in the fishing village of Barna on the shore of Galway Bay, a quiet and rustic small port. Since its opening in 2000, this seafood restaurant has won a reputation for its extreme freshness principle of “from sea to plate”. The owner, Michael O’Grady, comes from a fishing family and has a keen sense of seafood. His father is one of the earliest seafood suppliers in the area.
The restaurant itself is located by the pier. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows are moored boats and the ebb and flow of the Atlantic Ocean. It is particularly charming at dusk and is one of the favorite dating spots for Galway residents on weekends.
Food Features and Taste Analysis
O’Grady’s focuses on traditional Irish seafood cuisine, with particular emphasis on preserving the flavor of the ingredients themselves.
Pan-fried scallops with celery root puree and olive oil foam: the scallops are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a strong aroma. The celery root puree is rich in milk but not overpowering, and the olive oil foam adds a texture change.
Seafood Chowder: This thick soup is a masterpiece of the restaurant, combining mussels, salmon, cod and shrimp. The rich cream has a hint of spice, and it is perfect with baked brown bread.
Fresh fried cod with double fried chips: This seemingly homely fish & chips dish is better than the cod in terms of freshness and frying technique. The crust is crispy and non-greasy, and the fish is sweet and juicy.
Location and reservation method
The restaurant is located at Barna Pier, a 15-minute drive from the center of Galway. It is recommended to use TablePath or call the restaurant directly for reservations. It is very popular during holidays and summer.
Cost
The average consumption per person is between €45-€60. If you choose lobster or a special seafood platter, the price will be slightly higher to €70+. But with its irreplaceable sea view and top-quality ingredients, the freshness is worth every penny.
3. The Galleon Restaurant: Warmth and persistence in tradition
Restaurant history and background
Located on the Salthill seaside in Galway, The Galleon Restaurant has a history of more than 50 years and is a family-run old restaurant. Founded in 1965, the restaurant’s name comes from the giant sailing ship “Galleon” in the Age of Discovery, which means adventure and voyage.
Food Features and Taste Analysis
Traditional Irish Beef & Guinness Stew: The beef is stewed for a long time and melts in the mouth. It blends with the bitter aroma of dark beer and is a warm dish suitable for autumn and winter.
Seafood Pie: Mussels, shrimps and fish pieces are wrapped in a rich creamy white sauce, covered with a layer of golden and crispy baked mashed potatoes, with a dense texture and full of aroma.
Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Sauce: The meat is firm, rich in fat but not smelly, and is served with a light mint sauce to neutralize the greasiness. It is a common delicacy on the locals’ festive tables.
Location and Booking Method
Galleon is located on Salthill Promenade, about 10 minutes’ drive from the center of Galway. Bookings can be made through Bookatable and ResDiary, and you can also wait in line on site.
Cost
The average cost per person is between €30-€45, which is very cost-effective and especially suitable for family gatherings or travelers with limited budgets.
4. Black Cat: A nighttime whisper of wine and small plates
Restaurant history and background
Black Cat is a modern-style small restaurant located in Salthill, focusing on tapas (Spanish snacks) and wine pairing. The atmosphere is quiet and the lighting is soft, making it an ideal choice for couples to date or private gatherings with friends. Since its opening in 2011, it has quickly gained a reputation locally for its high-quality wine list and creative cuisine.
Food Features and Taste Analysis
Black Cat focuses on the combination of modern European cuisine and Irish ingredients, paired with a variety of selected wines.
Fried squid rings with sweet and spicy sauce: Different from the British fried squid rings, Black Cat’s version is more Asian style, thin and crispy, with homemade sweet and spicy sauce, sweet and spicy, and a unique flavor.
Smoked duck breast with orange port wine sauce: The smoked flavor is strong, the duck meat is rich in fat, and it is enhanced by finely chopped orange peel and wine sauce. It is very suitable for light red wine.
Handmade cheese platter: A selection of three local cheeses, paired with walnut honey, dried figs and sour bread, is a good thing to go with wine.
Location and reservation method
The restaurant is located in the center of Salthill, just two minutes walk to the seaside. It supports online reservations through OpenTable and TheFork. Dinner time is often full and reservations are required in advance.
Cost
The price of tapas is €8-€14 per serving, and the average consumption per person ranges from €35-€50. If you add wine, it will increase by €15-€30 depending on the type of wine. Suitable for diners who like exquisite slow food style.
5. Moran’s Oyster Cottage: A century-old oyster legend
Restaurant history and background
Moran’s Oyster Cottage is located in Kilcolgan, south of Galway, near the Clarinbridge estuary. It has been in business since 1797 and is one of the oldest seafood cottages in Ireland. It is famous for its authentic Clarinbridge oysters.
Food characteristics and taste analysis
Oysters are naturally the soul of this restaurant:
Clarinbridge oysters (original/baked/smoked): The original oysters are served chilled, with a strong seawater flavor, fresh and smooth; the baked version is added with garlic butter and chopped herbs, with a warm flavor; the smoked version brings out a woody aroma, which is surprising.
Seafood platter: including mussels, crayfish, salmon fillet and crab meat, etc., served with lemon and special sauce, it can be called “Atlantic platter”.
Lobster cream pasta: lobster meat is firm and chewy, cream sauce is thick but not greasy, noodles are full of soup, and it is endless aftertaste.
Location and reservation method
Located in Kilcolgan village, about 25 minutes drive from Galway city center. It is recommended to use TablePath or call to make reservations, especially during the Oyster Festival (September) when seats are extremely tight.
Cost
Original oysters are about €16 (half a dozen), platter starts at €28, and a full seafood feast with drinks is about €75-€90/person. Although it is not in the city, its historical value and pure flavor are worth a special visit.
If the journey is compared to a long narrative, then a dinner shared in the sea breeze is the softest and most profound part of the journey. Galway tells the soul of a city with taste.
