by Garrett Fox
Galway, the cultural capital of Ireland, is known for its ‘ceol agus craic‘. A visit will surely not disappoint those looking to partake in the city’s famous and vibrant nightlife scene. Indeed, the two words, ‘Galway’ and ‘nightlife’, are virtually synonymous.
This city of just roughly eighty thousand people has close to five hundred pubs! That is more pubs per-capita than any of the other major cities in Ireland, more than Cork, Limerick, and Dublin! Though Galway City is lovingly referred to by some as a ‘large village’, it’s easy to see that it certainly does have big city energy. But the question remains: Where is all that energy coming from?! Here’s a hot take: COFFEE!
The main event may be the nightlife, sure. But, Galway does not discriminate in its kaleidoscope of cultural expression, and while the ubiquitous pubs serve pints, music, and good vibes late into the night, another equally world class beverage scene operates by day flying humbly under the radar, yet all the while bestowing the brew that that lights Galway’s fire.
If you’re looking to do some café hopping here in Galway, look no further because we at Woodquay Hostel have combed the streets to curate the finest coffee shop itinerary in the city.
Our first stop takes us to Coffeewerk + Press in the heart of the Latin Quarter. This buzzing shop introduced specialty coffee to Galway in 2015 and remains a cornerstone of quality today.
Always featuring coffee freshly roasted by April, a Copenhagen based company, the high-volume café consistently puts out some seriously tasty espresso. With the busy location it can be tempting to grab your coffee and go, but in keeping with the Danish connection, Coffeewerk + Press‘ mission is not only to provide great coffee but also to share some hygge, a Danish term pertaining to elements of cozy mindfulness, by stocking a unique selection of handmade crafts, gifts, and local art.
So, be sure to visit the two upper levels, check out the merch, and relax in the windowsill to sip on your mocha and watch the buskers from up above.
Heading across the river to the West End, the next stop is Plámás. ‘Plámás’ is an Irish word that roughly translates to ‘schmooze’ in English, and we will be the first to say that after excellent coffee, schmoozing is what they do best. Gab is expected as soon as you open the door! Ordering in Irish will get you a small discount, and there are even instructions above the counter for beginners. Doubling as the office for This is Galway, a local magazine and collective of small locally owned businesses, the coffee shop also serves as a sort of concierge counter for the city. Whichever language you prefer, the staff at Plámás are endlessly knowledgeable, and love giving recommendations for things to see and do. So, sit a while and have the chats while enjoying some stellar coffee by Geometry, a local Galway based roaster, and baked goods from Kai, a fantastic restaurant and bakery, delivered from just down the road. Tell Ciarán we said hi!
Third and finally, continuing west, we have Kali Coffee Bar. The small and unassuming storefront at the top of the seaside Salthill neighbourhood boasts a tranquil and friendly welcome once inside. Though they serve some fantastic espresso-based drinks here, the real delight are their rotating filter coffees that you can order from all over the world!
These coffees usually have diverse flavour profiles that taste amazing, even just black! In fact, Enda, the owner of Kali, is the Irish champion and won 16th best brewer in the world during the 2023 World Brewers Cup Championship in Athens, Greece for his filter brewing method!
So, if you have never tried filter coffee before, award winning Kali is a perfect place to start. Along with amazing coffee, their best kept secret is their own private, expansive garden space that opens out the back. It is a perfect spot to have your coffee and visit with friends in the sun before heading to the wild Atlantic for a swim! Why not join us for Woodquay Wet Wednesday and treat yourself to a warming cuppa afterwards?
With a city like Galway, it’s impossible to sum up any scene in a simple list of three. Naturally, there are many more great places to get a caffeine fix. For instance, Little Lane café on Abbeygate Street is a centrally located spot with snug digs and great patio seating serving Calendar, another locally roasted coffee. Being close to Galway’s many bookshops, it is the ideal spot to settle in on the way back to Woodquay Hostel with a warm beverage to read.
Or, if tea is more your speed, the Secret Garden in the West End is an absolute classic that specializes in teas, pastries, and coffee in a cozy sit-on-the-floor style setting complete with candles, board games, a live-in cat named West, and no Wi-Fi (on purpose! Talk to people!).
At any rate, no matter which you choose, the cafés featured here are sure to indulge you in some of the best coffee in Galway, and keep you fuelled up for all the nightlife and sightseeing that the west of Ireland has to offer!