Ireland Guide
Galway and Mayo
Cafés
1 
Ard Bia 2 Quay St 
091/539897 Opening time: Closed Sun & Mon eveLively, first-floor social and culinary hub, especially popular for weekend brunch, with plain, bright decor and windows perched above the action on the main street. During the day, it's a global café, serving salads, sandwiches, burgers and soup, as well as cakes and a wide choice of juices and teas; in the evening it reopens as a restaurant with dishes such as saddle of Wicklow venison.
2 Cobblestone Kirwan's Lane Traditional-style café decorated with old prints and subdued colours, with tables out on the quiet lane. Dishes include soups, salads and delicious wraps such as smoked salmon and cream cheese, with plenty of vegetarian options, as well as delicious cakes.
3 Delight 29 Upper Abbeygate St Opening time: Closed Sat & SunGreat coffee, juices and breakfasts, as well as some novel sandwiches, bagels and salads, to eat in on the few bar stools or take away.
4 Food For Thought Lower Abbeygate St Cheap wholefood and vegetarian snacks, sandwiches, salads, hot dishes, cakes and good coffee, to take away or eat in.
5 Goya's Kirwan's Lane Opening time: Closed SunElegant, modern café with tables out on the alley, serving excellent home-baked cakes and coffee, as well as soups, quiches, sandwiches and pies.
6 Java's Art of Coffee 17 Upper Abbeygate St Arty hangout that's open till 3 or 4 every morning, offering great coffee and cool sounds, as well as tapas, sandwiches, salads, a tempting variety of meat and cheese plates, cakes and breakfasts.
7 Olio e Farina Upper Abbeygate St Opening time: Closed SunMouthwatering Italian deli with a small café area at the back, offering fresh pasta dishes, gourmet ciabattas, salads and plates of cured meats from their own farm in Tuscany.