Flat whites, vanilla lattes, frothy cappuccinos, and iced cold brews. Coffee keeps Galway buzzing from morning ‘til night. Luckily, the city is packed with community-focused cafés and speciality coffee shops that go the extra mile, serving everything from locally roasted blends to innovative signature drinks. Whether you’re after oat, almond, soy, coconut, or classic dairy milk (decaf or double-shot) Galway has a spot that will brew it just the way you like. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best coffee in Galway right here…
above: Súil Eile Space | photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Súil Eile Space
Best for: Dog-friendly, wellness (adjacent yoga/Pilates studio), retail space, Irish-speaking, & book swap shelf.
Tucked along the Wild Atlantic Way, Súil Eile Space blends speciality coffee, wellness, and retail under one roof. Serving Galway-roasted Calendar Coffee alongside irresistible baked goods, this café also doubles as a curated retail hub, showcasing local flowers, ceramics, prints, and more. A wholesome stop in Barna village that feels very wholesome.
Location: Unit 4, An Coirnéal, Seapoint, Bearna.
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Top Shelf Coffee Bar
Best for: ideal for those travelling into/from the Galway Coach Station, lunch, & coffee enthusiasts.
Enjoy your perfect cup of coffee at Top Shelf Coffee Bar. Here, they take their coffee seriously and their dedication is reflected in the taste (they even do their own coffee roasting). Known for their stellar range of filter coffees and expertly brewed slow pours, this café guarantees top-class flavour every time. Pair your cup with one of their famous sandwiches (seriously, don’t skip them!) and you’ll see why locals keep coming back.
Location: Fairgreen Road, Galway City.
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above: Cutthroat Coffee | photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Cutthroat Coffee
Best for: early risers, & those looking to get a ‘cut and coffee.
Sharp fades meet flat whites at Cutthroat Coffee and Barbers, a unique Latin Quarter destination that combines speciality coffee with old-school barbering. Open from 8am six days a week, they serve rich Geometry Coffee blends with fresh pastries. From a smooth latte to an extra-strong Americano, every cup is crafted with care.
Location: Cross Street Lower, The Cornstore, Galway City.
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An Tobar Nua
Best for: coffee with a view, lunch/breakfast, & students.
Overlooking the canal in Galway’s Westend, An Tobar Nua is equal parts café and speciality bookshop. Their house coffee, Badger & Dodo, pairs perfectly with indulgent bakes like cookies, brownies, and cakes (with gluten-free options). For something heartier, their menu spans fresh soups, salads, wraps, and bagels, making this a go-to spot for coffee lovers with a sweet tooth or an appetite.
Location: 25/27 Dominick Street Lower, Galway City.
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above: Tal Vez Coffee | photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Tal Vez Coffee
Best for: retail space, coffee enthusiasts, early-risers.
A short trip to Gort is rewarded with Tal Vez Coffee, a vibrant spot that fuses Galway’s heritage with bold Mexican flavours. Offering a bold coffee menu that goes beyond the classics, signature drinks like the Mexican Mocha or refreshing Coffee Lemonade mocktail set it apart. Pair your brew with desserts from The Lán Kitchen or authentic Mexican snacks for a flavoursome coffee experience that’s unlike any other.
Location: Bridge Street, Gort.
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Plámás
Best for: Irish-speaking ( enjoy a 10c discount when you order through Irish), retail space, pet-friendly, & early-risers.
When you need that morning caffeine kick, Plámás is a reliable favourite. Their house blend from Geometry Coffee Roasters (Tuam) delivers a refreshing punch of flavour, best enjoyed with baked treats from The Lán Kitchen and Sunstreet Food and fresh focaccia from Pastascrisciut. Don’t miss their shelves of retail coffee and brewing gear while you wait.
Location: 6 Dominick Street Upper, Galway City.
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above: Kindf_olk. | photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Kindf_olk
Best for: retail space, & coffee on the go.
Chic and stylish, Kindf_olk is both a speciality café and a lifestyle store. While sipping your favourite brew, browse their shelves filled with eco-friendly clothing, accessories, homeware, and premium coffee gear. Situated on the intersection of Middle Street and Cross Street, this is your one-stop spot for caffeine and eco-conscious shopping.
Location: Unit 10, The Cornstore, Middle Street, Galway City.
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Espresso 44
Best for: early-risers, dog-friendly & coffee on the go.
With its vibrant orange exterior, Espresso 44 is hard to miss. Inside, you’ll find exclusive Fixx Coffee, fresh sandwiches, soups, and irresistible sweet treats. Grab a bag of their beans to enjoy a taste of Espresso 44 at home. Calling into Espresso 44 is perfect for busy days in the city when you need coffee fast, but never want to compromise on quality.
Locations: 44 William Street in the City Centre, in Galway's Westend, and in Oranmore.
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above: Enda from Kali Coffee Bar | photo by Ciarán MacChocarriage
Kali Coffee Bar
Best for: dog-friendly, coffee enthusiasts, & coffee on the go.
Run by passionate coffee pros, Kali Coffee Bar is as much about the experience as the brew. Known for experimenting with new blends, their baristas (including Edna, Irish Brewers Cup Champion 2023) are at the top of their game. With a cosy back garden oasis and a dog-friendly policy, it’s the perfect Salthill coffee escape.
Location: 133 Upper Salthill Rd, Salthill.
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Coffeewerk + Press
Best for: coffee enthusiasts, coffee on the go, dog-friendly & retail space.
From its iconic yellow door to its artistic takeaway cups, Coffeewerk + Press is one of Galway’s most celebrated cafés, recently named among the Top 100 Coffee Shops in the World by Char - Irish Food & Drink Guide. Having already worked with over 30 roasters worldwide, they’re constantly introducing new and exciting flavours. You’ll also find coffee gear, art, and design items both in-store and online.
Location: 4 Quay Street, Galway City.
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above: Little Collins CBD Dispensary | photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Little Collins CBD Dispensary
Best for: students, lunch, retail space, vegan & vegetarians.
If you like your coffee to help you relax, Little Collins CBD Dispensary is your spot. They serve Melbourne-style coffee, CBD hemp teas, and vegan-friendly food, all with a plant-based twist on Galway coffee culture. Beans come from Anam Coffee Roasters in County Clare, reflecting the team’s passion for craft brewing. You can enhance your cup with a coconut-based hemp CBD shot or their new mushroom maple infusion, made with Irish-grown Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps. Little Collins delivers functional, feel-good coffee without sacrificing quality, and every Friday, you can enjoy €2 black coffees and €3 whites, with CBD or Mushroom Maple shots for just 50c extra. Check out our recent chat with the Little Collins team here.
Location: 25 Abbeygate Street Upper, City Centre
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Ré Coffee + Design
Best for: retail space, coffee on the go, & early-risers.
Home to all the things we love most rolled into one, Ré has all the speciality coffee, natural wine and unique design pieces that you could hope for. At Ré Coffee + Design, great coffee meets great taste in every sense. Serving speciality coffee from Bell Lane Roastery (Mullingar) with direct-trade beans from Brazil, this Salthill gem also showcases natural wines and carefully curated design pieces. Their sister café Fairhill in Galway city centre is equally worth a visit.
Location: 137 Upper Salthill, Galway
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Main image of Ré | photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
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