When it comes to sushi Galway punches well above its weight.
Which is no surprise – finely positioned along the Wild Atlantic Way, Galway has access to some of the finest fish in the land (see our Galway seafood guide!).
And in recent years we’ve seen the arrival of a new wave of sushi restaurants in Galway, several of which have racked up rave reviews.
The best spots for sushi in Galway
Photos via WA SUSHI on FB
In this guide, you’ll find our favourite spots for sushi in Galway in 2024, from Kappa-ya and Umbrella Asian Tapas to WA SUSHI and plenty more.
The guide is in no particular order – each of the below sushi restaurants in Galway are well worth considering.
1. Kappa-ya
Photos via Kappa-ya on FB
Just back from the busy Galway harbour, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant is a cracking spot that’s packed with an authentic atmosphere, an impressively long menu and offers diners a truly memorable meal.
Sit down in the bamboo-coloured chairs, under the subtle lighting, and escape to Japan in the heart of Galway city.
You can order a variety of authentic Japanese drinks, including warmed sake and aged Masuizumi Van Gaihen.
There are all the usual favourites, like smoked salmon or crispy tempura prawn sushi rolls. But, if you’re after something else, there’s also the ever-familiar Teriyaki chicken, Miso soup, and tasty rice bowls like tofu Tamago.
This is the best spot for sushi in Galway, in our opinion, for good reason.
2. Umbrella Asian Tapas
Photos via Umbrella Asian Tapas on FB
As you might have guessed, there is an abundance of umbrellas, or parasols, in this sushi restaurant in Galway.
It definitely helps to create both colour and a playful feel, and you can’t help but feel cheerful as you sit down to bowls of Tom Yum or Shimeji mushroom and rice noodle soup.
It’s a relaxed place, with wooden-topped 44-gal drums and painted metal stools, exposed brickwork walls, and black subway tiling around the bar with the obligatory ‘Maneki-Neko’ or waving cat.
But it’s the sushi you want to come for. Try the ever-popular California rolls, salmon or Teriyaki chicken, and along with a great selection of hand-rolled sushi.
3. WA SUSHI (WA CAFE)
Photos via WA SUSHI on FB
With a prime location near popular museums and the mouth of the River Corrib, WA SUSHI is always popular with locals and visitors alike.
A bit more formal in feel than some other sushi spots, this is definitely a spot to take your time and savour your meal.
Plain timber tables and chairs, carefully selected authentic ceramics and glassware adorn the tables, and the vibe is one of cultured sophistication with a passion for tradition.
Order the Nigiri and be prepared to be wowed. The presentation is next-level, as is the sushi platter that’s ideal to share.
If you’re looking for sushi restaurant in Galway to try with pals, give WA SUSHI a whack!
4. Tomodachi Sushi Bar
Photos via Tomodachi Sushi Bar on FB
Just around the corner from Eyre Square, Tomodachi is a chic sushi bar that is a lot of fun, especially if you’ve never enjoyed dining from a sushi train before!
The vibe is definitely on the up-and-up, with a blend of light and dark timbers, red lampshades, and minimalist decorations.
It’s filled with contrasting golden-glowing lights and moody shadows for a more intimate feel.
Pull up a barstool and order from the conveyor belt with its tempting offerings of sushi, temaki, sashimi or nigiri.
You can also order platters to share, soups to warm you, or something heartier if you’re really hungry!
Take note – as this is one of the more popular sushi restaurant in Galway, it can get busy at the weekends.
5. Sakura Asian Street Food
Photos via Sakura on FB
Just down the road from Galway City, in Oranmore, and on Main St is Sakura, and it’s well worth the drive!
Probably not the spot to bring a date you want to wow, but it’s perfect for friends and family to enjoy a tasty and visually stunning meal out.
Filled with light timber chairs and melamine tables for two, light multi-shaded exposed-brick walls, and bright down-lighting, this super relaxed and cheerful restaurant is a nice change of pace.
Get stuck into some sake-salmon sushi nigiri or some crabstick hosomaki and a side of tuna sashimi. It all tastes as good as it looks!
What Galway sushi spots have we missed?
I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant Galway sushi restaurants 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 2024
- 10 Places Pouring The Best Cocktails In Galway In 2024
- 10 Places Dishing Up The Best Pizza In Galway City And Beyond
- 10 Of The Best Seafood Restaurants In Galway In 2024
- The Best Lunch In Galway City: 12 Tasty Spots To Try
- 9 Of The Best Italian Restaurants In Galway In 2024
FAQs about where to try sushi in Galway
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where’s good for a date?’ to ‘Which is the cheapest?’.
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.
Where does the best sushi in Galway?
In our opinion, the best Galway sushi spots are WA SUSHI (WA CAFE), Umbrella Asian Tapas and the brilliant Kappa-ya.
What are some good sushi restaurant in Galway City?
Tomodachi Sushi Bar, Kappa-ya, Umbrella Asian Tapas and WA SUSHI are all located in Galway City and each is worth looking into.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.