8 Best Coffee Shops + Cafes In Galway In 2024

There’s an endless number of cafes in Galway.

Some are good, others are great and some… well, some coffee shops in Galway aren’t the ‘Mae West’.

In the guide below, we’ll show you what we think are the best places for coffee in Galway, with a mix of cozy spots to kick back with a book to great places to meet friends!

Our favourite cafes in Galway

Our Galway cafe guide is in no real order – we’ve sampled the wares in each of the places below, and would happily return to each of them.

Below, you’ll find everywhere from the brilliant Secret Garden and the very popular Urban Grind to some great coffee shops in Galway to chill with a good book.

1. The Secret Garden

You can sit in, or sit out, just pass through the little white door, and you’ll enter what’s arguably one of the most charming cafes in Halway where you can while away the hours. 

It’s not just coffee that they serve at the Secret Garden, you can also sample a wide range of teas to suit any mood or weather, or even a glorious hot chocolate to cheer you up.

If the weather’s fine, order up a slice of cake, a scrumptious slice, or one of their delicate pastries and head outside to the tranquil garden seating; there’s plenty of space.

This is, in our opinion, one of the best places for coffee in Galway for good reason!

2. Jungle Cafe Galway

You’ll find one of the most unique coffee shops in Galway tucked in just off Foster St.

Jungle Cafe is a pleasant break from the hustle and bustle of the busy Galway City centre.

With an array of wicker or wooden chairs and tables to sit around amidst the tall fronds of ferns and palms, you’ll be comfy and relaxed in no time at all!

Have a herbal tea, a cheering coffee, or a comforting chai or hot chocolate while you tuck into a tasty and healthy breakfast or lunch.

Full Irish breakfasts, overnight granola, or a smoked salmon baguette; they’re all delicious!

3. The Lane Cafe

Down in the heart of old Galway City is where you’ll find the charming Lane Cafe, with its friendly service and relaxed setting. 

There’s a covered area outside where you can enjoy a tea or coffee and a slice of cake or pull up a chair at one of the cafe-style tables inside if the weather’s not great.

Don’t worry, you’ll forget all about that when the food arrives!

Also known for its delicious cakes, slices, soups, hot or cold sandwiches, and delicious pizzas, it’s a one-stop cafe to satisfy every appetite.

4. Urban Grind

A bit urban and definitely chic with its snazzy timber-lined walls and intimate two-to-a-table seating, Urban Grind is one of the more popular cafes in Galway.

You can also step out the backdoor and feel like you’ve arrived at the Mediterranean on a good day. With lime-washed walls and spacious seating under an ivy-adorned pergola, it’s charming on a summer’s day.

Order your cappuccino or latte, or soothing herbal tea, and something from their food menu, maybe a sandwich or wrap, or delicious salad and soup, and enjoy the relaxed environment.

5. Coffeewerk + Press

Also down in the old town, Coffeewerk + Press is a chic and funky blend of cafe-come-coffee-shop with coffee-related paraphernalia for sale.

You can watch them make your coffee, espresso or filter, and if you really enjoy it, you can also purchase the beans whole or ground.

All about the coffee, the selection of edibles is smaller but perfectly balanced to complement your coffee; granola balls, truffles, muffins and cakes, and hot food to go.

There’s even a coffee subscription for dedicated caffeine aficionados who love boutique coffee brews. 

6. C’est la Vie Fabrique Boulangerie Café

In the north of Galway City, below the N6, is where you’ll find one of the most unique coffee shops in Galway – C’est la Vie, the finest authentic French bakery in this part of the country. 

With everything you’d expect from the best of Parisian boulangeries, this is where to come for your fresh baguettes, croissants and pain au chocolat, and of course, a perfect cafe au lait!

Inside, it’s a bit posh, with dark timber chairs at the highly polished wooden bar where you can watch your coffee being made or sit at one of the cafe-style tables and watch the bakers do their thing.

This is one of the best cafes in Galway if you’re after something a little bit different (along with a fine bit on indulgence!).

7. The Full Duck Cafe

A good option for those of you looking for coffee shops in Galway where you can also get a decent bit of grub is The Full Duck! 

Serving up hot cups of espresso coffee, herbal teas, fancy hot chocolates, and mineral waters or soft drinks, you won’t go thirsty!

There’s a wide selection of food options as well, with everything from Full Irish breakfasts that’ll keep you going all day, to burgers, salads, fun breakfast sundaes, tasty filled omelettes, and even the fluffiest mini serving of pancakes.

This is the perfect lunch spot. Grab a midday pick-me-up coffee and pair it with one of the options from their extensive sandwich menu. 

8. An Tobar Nua

At the southern end of Nuns Island, only a stone’s throw from the historic Claddagh is where you’ll discover An Tobar Nua.

A melding of Irish and American in design and approach to serving coffee, this cafe is a blend of cafe, Christian outreach, and bookshop.

Step inside, where it’s peaceful and quiet, find a table and order a toasted wrap with chips and a coffee, or maybe a hot chocolate and slice of triple-layer chocolate cake if the mood strikes.

If you are really feeling hungry, tuck in to their full Irish, we hear its delicious! 

What great coffee shops in Galway have we missed?

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

If you have a place that you think does the best coffee in Galway, let us know in the comments below and we’ll check it out!

FAQs about the best coffee in Galway

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What are the best cafes in Galway for a date?’ to ‘Which does the cheapest cup?’.

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.