Best Specialty Coffee in Galway
Country: Ireland (6 cafés)
Updated February 2026
Galway is a city where coffee culture centers on small, independent shops tucked into historic streets. You can find quality espresso and filter coffee at Coffeewerk + Press, Plámás, and Urban Grind. For a different pace, look for Kali Coffee bar, The Pear Tree Café & Wine Bar, or Barista Bus @ Murray’s.
Many locals prefer to grab a cup while walking through the narrow lanes of the Latin Quarter. Shops often focus on multi-roaster selections and emphasize a relaxed atmosphere for visitors and residents alike.
Cafés
Of 6 cafés, 5 are dog-friendly and 4 serve filter coffee.
Top rated Plámás
6 Dominick Street Upper, H91 A2TT Galway, Ireland
Plámás is a small coffee shop located on Dominick Street Upper in Galway. The cafe serves espresso and filter coffee, and it is dog-friendly. Visitors often mention the friendly staff and the welcoming atmosphere. You can find vegan options and baked goods from Kai on the menu. Seating is limited, so it is well-suited for a quick stop or takeaway.
The Pear Tree Café & Wine Bar
Grattan Road, Salthill, inside GCI Building, H91CDW4 Galway, Ireland
The Pear Tree Cafe is located in Salthill and serves a variety of breakfast dishes. Visitors frequently mention the friendly staff and the large portions of avocado toast. The space offers both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a comfortable spot to work or read. Guests often pair their meals with lattes or other espresso drinks. The cafe is dog friendly and provides vegan options for those interested.
Coffeewerk + Press
4 Quay St Galway, Ireland
Coffeewerk + Press is a three-story cafe located on Quay Street in Galway. The ground floor serves as a coffee bar and retail space, while the upper floors function as a design shop and art gallery. Visitors can choose from a rotating selection of international roasters for pour-over coffee or enjoy espresso made with beans from The Coffee Collective. The space offers limited seating on benches and window ledges, and guests often mention the staff is friendly. Please note that drinks are served in takeaway cups.
Urban Grind
8 William Street West, H91 YA6X Galway, Ireland
Urban Grind is a specialty coffee shop located on William Street West in Galway. They serve coffee roasted by 3fe and offer single origin options brewed with an AeroPress. The menu features a variety of brunch items, with regulars often recommending the ricotta pancakes and breakfast rolls. The space is popular and can get busy, but visitors frequently note that the staff is friendly and service remains efficient.
Barista Bus @ Murray’s
4 Salthill Road Lower, H91 ET6W Galway, Ireland
Barista Bus is a coffee van located in Galway. Visitors often mention the friendly staff and the quality of the espresso. The menu includes vegan milk options and in-house pastries. You can find outdoor seating available for customers. The space is laptop-friendly and welcomes dogs.
Kali Coffee bar
133 Upper Salthill Road, H91 N9XH Galway, Ireland
Kali Coffee bar is a small shop on Upper Salthill Road serving espresso and filter coffee. The owners source beans from Calendar Coffee and rotate their selection regularly. Visitors often mention the friendly atmosphere and the knowledgeable staff who are happy to chat about the brewing process. The space includes outdoor seating in the Kali Oasis, and the shop is dog friendly.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I go for a good cup of coffee in Galway?
You have several options depending on your location. Coffeewerk + Press, Plámás, and Urban Grind are popular spots that offer a variety of brewing styles.
Are there any roasters in the city?
Some shops operate as multi-roaster cafes, meaning they source beans from various partners rather than roasting on-site. Coffeewerk + Press, for instance, collaborates with international roasters to provide a rotating selection.
Is it easy to find coffee while walking around the city center?
Yes, many cafes are concentrated within walking distance of the main shopping streets. You will often find locals grabbing a takeaway cup before heading toward the Spanish Arch or the waterfront.
Do cafes in Galway offer anything besides coffee?
Many shops integrate other interests into their space. For example, Coffeewerk + Press functions as both a cafe and a gallery that showcases art and design prints.
Are these cafes open early in the morning?
Most cafes in the city follow standard business hours, though it is helpful to check individual shop times as they can vary on weekends. You can usually find a place to sit down or grab a quick drink by mid-morning.