9 Of The Best Italian Restaurants In Galway In 2023

In search of the best Italian restaurants in Galway City and beyond? You’ve landed in the right spot!

This buzzy city is home to a huge number of amazing Italian restaurants that’ll tantalise the taste buds.

So, regardless of whether you’re looking for authentic pizza, indulgent lasagne, or the creamiest gelato, you’ve come to the right place.

The best Italian restaurants in Galway City and beyond

Galway is one of those places that we find ourselves returning to again and again. There’s incredible restaurants in Galway, regardless of what you have a hankering for.

Below, you’ll find out favourite spots for Italian in Galway, with a mix of popular spots and hidden gems.

1. OSTERIA da Simone

Osteria da Simone if you’ve a hankering for Italian in Galway City. An amalgam of Irish hospitality and Italian style, it offers a sleek and sophisticated dining experience with a mouth-watering menu to ponder.

Pizza lovers take note, they’ve cracked the ratio of crispy pizza base to gooey toppings, and there’s a delicious range to choose from.

Besides pizza, you can enjoy gorgeous sharing platters, sumptuous seafood, classic and modern pasta dishes, and much more.

Make sure you save room for dessert, their chocolate tiramisu is outstanding! In terms of drinks, you can peruse the extensive wine list for some Italian tipples or choose a local craft beer. 

If you’re looking for Italian restaurants in Galway to mark a special occasion, you won’t go wrong at OSTERIA da Simone.

2. La Collina

Located in the seaside resort of Salthill, just outside of Galway City, La Collina is an excellent choice for a tasty lunch or a terrific dinner.

Cosy and friendly, this bustling bistro is popular among locals and visitors alike, creating a fantastic buzz.

Catering to everyone, including vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diets, you’re sure to find something for all the family.

The menu boasts pizzas, a range of pasta dishes, and mains that make the most of local produce. The desserts are also out of this world, while the tasty coffee washes everything down nicely.

3. Zappi’s Restaurant

Zappi’s Restaurant is arguably one of the most popular Italian restaurants in Galway. You’ll find it in the centre of the city, a stone’s throw from some of the best bars in Galway.

A cosy, intimate Italian restaurant, they focus on giving the finest Irish ingredients an Italian twist, creating a mouth-watering dining experience.

If you fancy something fishy, try their popular seafood pizza. The house sharing platter showcases a wealth of cured meats, cheeses, and olives, all served with lovely garlic bread.

Meanwhile, you’ll find some classic pasta dishes, a host of pizzas, and, if you’re looking for something lighter, some tasty starters and salads.

The homemade brownies and tiramisu are an indulgent treat, while the gelato is not to be missed!

4. Pasta Factory

If you’re passionate about pasta, there’s no better place to get your fill than the Pasta Factory in the heart of Galway City. Tucked away down a small side street, it’s easy to miss but well worth seeking out.

The inside is cosy and oozes charm, and with welcoming staff, the entire place has a friendly vibe. As you can imagine, they hand-make all their pasta on-site, giving you the freshest pasta experience this side of Rome.

For mains, simply follow their three-step system; first, choose a portion size, then your favourite type of pasta, and finally, your sauce of choice.

There are also excellent sides, starters, and desserts to choose from, with vegetarian and vegan options for each course.

The frequently changing seasonal menu keeps things exciting and makes the most of the freshest local produce.

5. Capones Galway

This Chicago-style diner in Knocknacarra is a must if you’re in the area. American style meets Italian tradition and Irish hospitality, resulting in a brilliant night out.

With a focus on local Irish ingredients, they serve up an extensive menu that takes in Italian staples like pasta and pizza, as well as burgers and fish and chips.

They serve up gorgeous milkshakes and ice cream, as well as a tasty cup of coffee. With a well-stocked bar, you can easily enjoy the evening here, choosing from a range of local beers, cocktails, and an array of wines from across the world.

More Italian American than most of the other options in this guide, it’s certainly worth checking out.

If you’re looking for Italian restaurants in Galway to nip into with a group of friends or family, Capones is a great option.

6. Pizza & Pasta Napoli

Even though this authentic pizzeria is located in the centre of Galway City, it’s something of a hidden gem. Tucked off the main road, it’s well worth seeking out, especially if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat while you’re on the go.

They specialise in serving up gorgeous slices of Napoli-style pizza to go, with a huge range of toppings to choose from. You can, of course, sit in and enjoy the bustle — they have a few tables inside and more outside on the street.

They’ll serve up whole pizzas, as well as a selection of classic pasta dishes, garlic bread, and more. Simple and to the point, it’s not a fancy restaurant by any means, but for me, it’s one of the best places for great pasta and pizza without any fuss.

7. Mona Lisa Restaurant

For those of you looking for Italian restaurants in Galway for a date night, get yourselves to Mona Lisa Restaurant.

Intimate and cosy, this authentic Italian restaurant sits in the heart of the city and boasts tasteful decor, a welcoming atmosphere, and incredible food.

The menu takes in crispy, traditionally made pizzas and a host of classic pasta dishes, such as spaghetti allo Scoglio, tortellini, lasagne, and bolognese.

You’ll also discover a choice of mains, with several seasonal specials, including fish dishes and pork belly.

There are also some fantastic starters and sides, and the Italian meat and cheese platter is a great choice.

8. Da Roberta’s Ristorante & Pizzeria

This family-run restaurant on Salthill’s main street is a top choice if you’re visiting the seaside town. The Italian chefs import specific ingredients from their hometowns in Italy, including olives, cured meats, local cheeses, and more.

Otherwise, they use the finest locally sourced Irish seafood, meat, vegetables, and baked goods to create an incredible menu packed with fresh, authentic flavours.

Their pizzas are simply sumptuous, cooked using traditional methods, and with plenty of choice when it comes to toppings.

You can also enjoy a range of pasta classics, as well as mains that take in locally caught fish, chicken, and much more. As a starter, be sure to check out their minestrone soup or the fantastic steamed mussels!

9. Woozza Wood Fired Pizza

If you love authentic Italian pizza, the wood-fired offerings from Woozza are a must. Sitting in the heart of Galway City, this cosy Italian restaurant employs traditional methods to prepare and cook up some of the best thin-crust pizza in town.

They offer a range of toppings to adorn their huge pizza bases. Want to share? Just go half and half! Besides pizza, the menu boasts some superb sharing platters packed with cured meats, Italian cheeses, and olives.

There are also plenty of pasta dishes, such as cannelloni and lasagne, as well as various mains. For pudding, why not try one of their chocolate sweetzas?

Rounding off the menu is a range of Italian wines and beers. The restaurant can comfortably seat large groups and tables for two alike, providing a wonderful, bustling atmosphere with every visit.

Italian restaurants Galway: Where have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant Italians in Galway from the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

Or, nip into one of our many other Galway food guides:

• 10 Of The Best Places For Breakfast And Brunch In Galway
• 7 Of The Best Indian Restaurants In Galway In 2023
• 10 Places Pouring The Best Cocktails In Galway In 2023
• 10 Places Dishing Up The Best Pizza In Galway City And Beyond
• 10 Of The Best Seafood Restaurants In Galway In 2023
• The Best Lunch In Galway City: 12 Tasty Spots To Try
• 7 Best Places To Eat In Galway For Sushi

FAQs about the best Italian restaurants in Galway

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Which is the fanciest?’ to ‘Where does the best pasta?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.