You heard right, Galway is the European Region of Gastronomy for 2018, and while it now has a title, the region has been famous for its food for years thanks to exciting artisan producers, pure ingredients, great restaurants and incredible natural landscapes from the Atlantic Ocean to the rugged hills.
The first thing to do is head to
Galway city, an urban hotbed of creative culinary skills that has made it a go-to for foodies. Nab a table at
Aniar or
Loam and you’ll be treated to innovative Michelin-starred cooking with a focus on beautiful, fresh, local ingredients. The cool, colourful and quirky interior of
Kai makes a perfect backdrop for wonderful dishes created using produce from local farmers, fishmongers and cheesemakers, while
Ard Bia serves up seasonal, gourmet food on the very edge of the River Corrib.
And when it comes to street food this city has it made: try pizza Irish-style at
Dough Bros, fish and chips at
McDonagh’s and local, on-the-go treats at the
Galway Farmers Market on Saturdays and Sundays. Stuck for time? A
Galway Food Tour is a great way to walk through Galway’s culinary hotspots.
To get a full sense of gastronomic Galway, branch out beyond the city and into a landscape defined by crashing waves, rugged tobacco-coloured hills and deep blue lakes. It’s this environment that creates the incredible seafood, beef, mountain lamb and artisan cheese that the county has become so famous for.
Take a tour of the waterside
Connemara Smokehouse and sample its award-winning smoked salmon, trout and tuna; get to know Galway’s incredible natural ingredients up close with a unique foraging experience with
Wild Food Mary; or relax with some Killary prawns, organic venison or woodcock at the delightful
Fisherman’s pub at Ballynahinch Castle within the wilds of Connemara.
But getting back to 2018 and seeing Galway enjoy the title of European Region of Gastronomy. There are loads of food events taking place throughout the city and county, from festivals to fairs such as the
Connemara Mussel Festival (4-6 May),
Bia Lover – Festival of Food (16-17 June) and Seafest (29 June-1 July). Check out
galwaygastronomy.ie for a full list of events. Enjoy! ]
Any other community members got more suggestions about Galway – European Region of Gastronomy for 2018?
