I was in Galway in November for only 24 hours, and after having lunch in Ard Bia we liked it so much we not only went back for dinner, but had breakfast there the next morning as well! Needless to say, I would definitely recommend it – great food, friendly staff and a charming atmosphere.
I’m obviously a lone dissenting voice on this one, but I’m not a huge fan of Ard Bia. The food is gorgeous, it’s true – but I’ve been there with people who aren’t all THAT picky, and they didn’t like a single thing on the menu. It’s just got a lot of pigeon, blue cheese stuff going on, and while I know that’s very “foody”, it won’t get everyone going and sometimes I think simple might be better. It’s well done, but it’s definitely not going to please everyone (and last time I was there the service was atrocious).
Conversely, I’ve been to the Malt House twice, and while that’s quite foodie too, a lot of local produce, really interesting things going on, it has a much wider appeal in terms of its menu (in my opinion). I had the most amazing scallops of my life there recently, would DEFINITELY recommend.
Kappa Ya is an amazing Japanese Restaurant – I am still dreaming of the salad and sushi I had there in November
I found the Bridgestone Guides reccommendations really good for Galway city and county. If you need a hotel in Galway The Houe Hotel near the spanish parade is a gorgeous funky boutique hotel, I’d love to go back!
+1 for the Malt House.
We were in Galway for a week and it was by far the best food we had. Carpaccio for starters was smooth and creamy. The lamb main was juicy and flavorsome.
Would have no problem recommending them to anyone.
Okay so slighty outside Galway but it is such a fantastic restaurant that I have to mention it. O’ Grady’s on the Pier in Barna. Beautiful seafood, amazing service and so good that even though we were only in Galway for 2 days we went twice!
I would recommend Artisan on Quay Street, I’ve been a couple of times on visits to Galway and it has been consistently good, a great atmosphere and very attentive staff. The food is great the I think the menus cater for both the foodie and non foodie!!
To comment on SJ’s post on the House Hotel, I have heard great things about the hotle it’s self but I wouldnt recommend eating there, myself and two others had dinner there during the autum and we all left very dissapointed wiht the food and service!
Hi Niamh
We didn’t eat there (apart from breakfast) so i def can’t comment on the food.
Such a shame if the food is not good – still a great place to stay.
I have eaten out a lot in Galway. I like Ard Bia but its a bit hit and miss, and I havent always enjoyed my food there. I have always had a great meal in the malthouse & they do a great value menu. I also really like Martines on quay st, pork belly to die for! If I had to pick, Id probably say the malt house.
Having been in both Ard Bia and Martines, I would definitely go back to Martines Wine Bar. Ard Bia was expensive for what we got and the menu selection strange. I like my meat cooked medium to well and had to send it back as it was very rare.
As a galweigan I’d recommend O’Gradys on the Pier too. Fantastic fresh fish!
Nimmos/Ard Bia is nice too. Or Da Robertas in Salthill do great italian! There are plenty of nice places, it just depends what you want!
Also, as said above you cannot beat McDonaghs!
Not exactly Galway, but might be nice in combination with a B&B or something: O’Dowd’s in Roundstone is the only new entry to this year’s Bib Gourmand section of the Michelin guide. (That’s the “moderate prices” category). I haven’t eaten there though, just passing on the information!
Just a word of warning– make sure the restaurant you choose is solvent, and the recipient intends to eat there soon!
I recently made the very expensive mistake of buying a 100 euro restaurant gift voucher as a wedding gift for friends to The Locks in Dublin, only to have it close a month later. Egads!
McSwiggans has to be one of the best. Menu has something to suit everyone and there has always been a good atmosphere when I’ve eaten there and good value for money. On the other hand Tamarind is great for someone who likes something different as its a thai restaurant. Just depends on the taste of the people you are getting the voucher for. Ard bia is good but not for everyone. They serve veal vension froie gras…etc
Thursday 20 January, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Oscar’s on Dominick St. is top class. Expensive but highly recommended.
Thursday 20 January, 2011 at 1:19 pm
I would vouch for Ard Bia. I ate there once last year with some foodie friends and it was a real treat!
Thursday 20 January, 2011 at 1:21 pm
I was in Galway in November for only 24 hours, and after having lunch in Ard Bia we liked it so much we not only went back for dinner, but had breakfast there the next morning as well! Needless to say, I would definitely recommend it – great food, friendly staff and a charming atmosphere.
Thursday 20 January, 2011 at 1:39 pm
I’m obviously a lone dissenting voice on this one, but I’m not a huge fan of Ard Bia. The food is gorgeous, it’s true – but I’ve been there with people who aren’t all THAT picky, and they didn’t like a single thing on the menu. It’s just got a lot of pigeon, blue cheese stuff going on, and while I know that’s very “foody”, it won’t get everyone going and sometimes I think simple might be better. It’s well done, but it’s definitely not going to please everyone (and last time I was there the service was atrocious).
Conversely, I’ve been to the Malt House twice, and while that’s quite foodie too, a lot of local produce, really interesting things going on, it has a much wider appeal in terms of its menu (in my opinion). I had the most amazing scallops of my life there recently, would DEFINITELY recommend.
Thursday 20 January, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Tapas restaurant called Cava is very good.
McDonaghs for seafood and fish&chips
Kappa Ya is an amazing Japanese Restaurant – I am still dreaming of the salad and sushi I had there in November
I found the Bridgestone Guides reccommendations really good for Galway city and county. If you need a hotel in Galway The Houe Hotel near the spanish parade is a gorgeous funky boutique hotel, I’d love to go back!
Thursday 20 January, 2011 at 2:21 pm
+1 for the Malt House.
We were in Galway for a week and it was by far the best food we had. Carpaccio for starters was smooth and creamy. The lamb main was juicy and flavorsome.
Would have no problem recommending them to anyone.
Thursday 20 January, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Okay so slighty outside Galway but it is such a fantastic restaurant that I have to mention it. O’ Grady’s on the Pier in Barna. Beautiful seafood, amazing service and so good that even though we were only in Galway for 2 days we went twice!
Thursday 20 January, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I would recommend Artisan on Quay Street, I’ve been a couple of times on visits to Galway and it has been consistently good, a great atmosphere and very attentive staff. The food is great the I think the menus cater for both the foodie and non foodie!!
To comment on SJ’s post on the House Hotel, I have heard great things about the hotle it’s self but I wouldnt recommend eating there, myself and two others had dinner there during the autum and we all left very dissapointed wiht the food and service!
Thursday 20 January, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Hi Niamh
We didn’t eat there (apart from breakfast) so i def can’t comment on the food.
Such a shame if the food is not good – still a great place to stay.
Thursday 20 January, 2011 at 8:15 pm
I have eaten out a lot in Galway. I like Ard Bia but its a bit hit and miss, and I havent always enjoyed my food there. I have always had a great meal in the malthouse & they do a great value menu. I also really like Martines on quay st, pork belly to die for! If I had to pick, Id probably say the malt house.
Friday 21 January, 2011 at 11:54 am
Having been in both Ard Bia and Martines, I would definitely go back to Martines Wine Bar. Ard Bia was expensive for what we got and the menu selection strange. I like my meat cooked medium to well and had to send it back as it was very rare.
Saturday 22 January, 2011 at 11:46 am
As a galweigan I’d recommend O’Gradys on the Pier too. Fantastic fresh fish!
Nimmos/Ard Bia is nice too. Or Da Robertas in Salthill do great italian! There are plenty of nice places, it just depends what you want!
Also, as said above you cannot beat McDonaghs!
Saturday 22 January, 2011 at 11:54 am
Not exactly Galway, but might be nice in combination with a B&B or something: O’Dowd’s in Roundstone is the only new entry to this year’s Bib Gourmand section of the Michelin guide. (That’s the “moderate prices” category). I haven’t eaten there though, just passing on the information!
Monday 24 January, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Just a word of warning– make sure the restaurant you choose is solvent, and the recipient intends to eat there soon!
I recently made the very expensive mistake of buying a 100 euro restaurant gift voucher as a wedding gift for friends to The Locks in Dublin, only to have it close a month later. Egads!
Monday 24 January, 2011 at 2:00 pm
I was thinking the exact same thing Emily! Very frustrating for you that there’s no comeback in those circumstances.
Tuesday 25 January, 2011 at 11:28 am
McSwiggans has to be one of the best. Menu has something to suit everyone and there has always been a good atmosphere when I’ve eaten there and good value for money. On the other hand Tamarind is great for someone who likes something different as its a thai restaurant. Just depends on the taste of the people you are getting the voucher for. Ard bia is good but not for everyone. They serve veal vension froie gras…etc