Kai Restaurant

My expectation was so much more from Kai. But our experience was not great. All the dishes were missing taste, a bit bland. Service wasn't great either they didn't even explain dishes much. Oysters were disappointing didn't like the sauce much. Venison tartare wasn't great either it felt like something missing in it. Monkfish wasn't bad but chowder was tasteless. Scallops served with broccoli it didnt look good at first place. Desserts were good but we had french cheese and chocolate mousse which you can't go wrong with those I suppose. So overall it was't worth the money we paid.

This may be the best restaurant in all of Ireland. The service is friendly and laid-back, the menu is interesting and varied, and the drinks list does not disappoint. A few weeks ago I asked ChatGPT for a restaurant recommendation in Galway, and it immediately pointed me to Kai. Thank you to our new robot overlords for the suggestion, and thank you to the team for a truly wonderful lunch experience. We had the hake fish finger feature and some gorgeous little fritters, each served with a flirty little salad and fresh-baked bread. They also have a cheeky selection of local bottled zero-proof drinks including some cute lemonades and sodas (try the Irish apple juice—or as the Irish call it, “Apple juice”). 10/10 would go back.

The best meal we had our entire visit to Ireland. I would come back across the ocean just for the crab salad. All of our mains were exceptionally good. The beef cheek and polenta were tender and flavorful, the pork chop was cooked perfectly, and the pannisse was addictive.

Hands down the best meal in Galway. Fresh ingredients, lovely staff, and a beautiful inside. The detailed menu is written on a chalk board above the kitchen and it may be small but it's mighty. Every dish is wonderful and the desserts are a must. We had the most divine Key Lime Pie. Can't wait to come back and enjoy another meal. Wish I could give it 10 stars!

The food was absolutely amazing and beautifully presented! I am still thinking about the goat cheese stuffed artichoke meal I had and the crab starter. 🤤

Disappointing. Given the many positive reviews, we had high expectations. We should have read through the reviews more carefully, as our experience was similar to that shared in about 1/5 of the reviews by others below. Atmosphere is really nice. Service is good, but nothing special given the price and reputation -- perfunctory comes to mind. The real disappointment was the food. The parma appetizer was great. The rest of the dishes, however, while cooked really well, were either remarkably bland, as if missing key ingredients, or plain off with mismatched ingredients. There are numerous better restaurants for this price across Ireland, including within a few blocks away in Galway.

Absolutely perfect👌 fresh dishes, great value, nice prices. If you don't drink alcohol, restaurants could be very cheap😁 restaurant is busy- take a reservation before going ✅

Not sure if the lunch menu is much better? The dinner experience was just alright.. but over price for sure. beef cheek €38and Pork chop €36 plus tiny bits of roast potato was just warm enough €7… no much Vegs and presentation come with the main course for this price. Could do much matter

Kai Cafe is one of my favorites from my trip to Galway. This place is super popular so instead of trying to snag a table for dinner, I popped in for brunch. The inside is beautiful - like a converted greenhouse/cottage with stone walls and lots of natural light. One of the first things I noticed was the pastry counter. It was absolutely stunning with gorgeous cakes and other sweet treats available by the slice. The menu is written on a large chalkboard at the far end of the cafe, which can be hard to read depending on where you're seated. I asked for the staff's recommendation and she said I should try the fried fish. It came served with slaw, salad, brown soda bread, beautiful yellow butter and the most perfect fried pieces of cod I think I've ever had. This was not your typical "fish and chips" style fish but instead, was seasoned to perfection with a bit of a crunchier, thicker batter. Wow, it was incredible. I was also so grateful for the side of slaw and salad as I think that was the first leafy green I had had in over a week since arriving in Ireland. The latte I ordered was also delicious and well made. Staff was friendly and helpful throughout my visit - all working together to efficiently service the lunch rush. I would totally come back here next time I'm in Galway. It is highly recommended for good reason so go see for yourself!

Kai is an incredible restaurant with a lot of options that has a fine dining type of appeal! All the food items, we'd get again! The scallops were well made and flavorful! The eggplant was very unique! The turnips were good! We shared a bottle of wine that paired well with the meal. The dessert was also nice Service: good service Ambience; best part about Kai was the fancy vibes!!

Amazing food. Especially the bread was heavenly and the best I have ever had in my life. Funny enough the table next to mine said their fish main dishes were the best they have had in their lives. If I ever come back to Galway, it would be at least 80% because I want to come back to dine again at this restaurant. The service was fantastic as well. Thank you for the great memory.

This will be a meal I often dream about! From the beginning we were met with a wholehearted welcome and sat at lovely table overlooking the cozy well run dining room. The bread was to die for and I thoroughly enjoyed my monkfish, prepared with a golden raisins and cauliflower. My husband's beef loin received rave reviews as well. The Strawberry Etan Mess OMG! The staff were so friendly and attentive. We enjoyed our chat with the owner who shared the history of this lovely establishment. I can't wait to travel back to Galway in the near future and this will be our #1 dining destination!

BEST MEAL OF MY LIFE! Hands down the top of the list. Of all the places I've traveled all over the world this has topped the list. It requires a more well versed palate and open taste buds. Everything is fresh and local. The menu changes everyday depending on what comes from the locals farms. The food is high class but with such an inviting feeling. I would come back everyday to try something new. I will also make another trip to Ireland just for this food!

Best meal in Ireland. They have two seatings for dinner, 6:15 and 8:15. Be sure to make a reservation in advance. Great service too!

Food was great. Although I don't think ideal for solo diners. I noticed other tables gotten checked on more freq then me. Sat with dirty plates and had to ask for the check

The food here is so amazing. Everything is made from scratch. Their gluten free options are amazing if your in search of that thing. Their breads are so good and fresh. Our entrees were all amazing as well as deserts. Their cocktails are on point as well.

Definitely one of the best meals I had in Ireland, maybe even the best. I had the tofu nugs, which tasted like buffalo wings. All the flavors come together like an explosion in your mouth. I've never tasted anything like it. My friend also ordered the fish sticks, which were great as well. You have to give this place a try.

You must make a reservation for this little gem of a restaurant. They have two seatings each evening. Cute place just off the beaten path yet close to everything.

This place blew me away. I work in the food industry and I've had a long life of eating great food. I would count this as one of my top five dining experiences. I stopped in for lunch and had the lamb kofta. It was absolutely fantastic. Dominick, our server, was top notch and he gave me boatloads of recommendations for other places to see during my time in Ireland. I cannot wait for my next trip to Ireland so I can dine here again. Absolutely amazing.

Outstanding food here at Kai. This restaurant came highly recommended and I can see why. The atmosphere and decor was super cute and both the food and service was immaculate. We didn't wait too long for anything. We got off to a great start with the burrata, white peach, and gremolata appetizer. Literally beautiful. And somehow it tasted better than looked. For entrees, we both had the steak. Best. Decision. EVER. Cooked perfectly, with so much flavor. I'm usually wary about ordering steak outside of a reputable NYC steakhouse, but this was easily one of the best that I've had. Even the bread and butter that's given at the beginning of the meal was better than it needed to be... It's like this restaurant can do no wrong. I wanted to try dessert but was simply too full. Next time I'm in Galway, I will definitely be back. Highly, highly recommended.

We had such high expectations after reading previous reviews and left feeling annoyed that we spent our time at Kai. Wait staff was curt, not friendly and seemed unhappy to be there. There seemed to be no pride in what they were serving or help in making suggestions. We ordered a variety of dishes and were underwhelmed with all but the bread, which was amazing. Scallops were seasoned and cooked to perfection, however they were paired with a lot of heavy cabbage and way to much sauce. Seemed like a strange pairing. Hopefully an off night, but would not recommend.

Well we did a food tour on Shop street. The young lady that gave us the tour recommended we change the reservation we had to Kai. Well possibly one of the best decisions I've ever made. Let Me start by saying the front of house was in order in every way. The waitstaff were great And very efficient. I told our server to order for me as I like most All things except truffle oil. She ordered my entire meal and it was great!!!! I don't know the name of everything so ill describe them. 1st. Blistered red bell Pepper with cream cheese and nut ***** Monkfish with Aioli and cauliflower ***** ( one of two best fish dishes in My life / no joke!). Banana sorbet ***** Average of 5 stars and I'll brag on this meal forever. Way to be the best Kai!

I came here with friends last weekend and the food was terrific. The service was very efficient and I would highly recommend it

Kai is a wonderful spot. When I have friends visiting from out of town I always bring them here for brunch on a Sunday. Theres a great vibe at Kai and the food is always amazing.

Food: Different Flavors with every bite Service: attentive and helpful Atmosphere: super chill cafe vibe with great decor Price: $$ We stumbled upon this hidden gem during our quick stop in Gallway. The place was about to close to end lunch service but they sat us with a smile. The food was a wild mix of Asian inspired dishes with lots of flavors. The available menu changed as the kitchen ran out of things and the dishes came off the chalk board. We had a fish sticks dish, a buffalo cauliflower and a pork noodle bowl. All were really good in different ways. Fish stick plain simple and good. The buffalo cauliflower was probably my favorite since it had a good kick to accompany the delicious flavors. The pork noodle bowl was okay - it almost had too many different flavors that took away from the dish. All in all a great lunch experience!

Most interesting combination of flavors and textures I've experienced here in Ireland. Lovely service-- recommendation for dessert was on point. Decor and the atmosphere are just grand. Definitely worth a visit and a stroll through the west end if you're in Galway.

Food and service was top notch. I got the monkfish and would get it again! Everything was perfect and taste was wonderful. I can't drink and they made me a lavender sparkling something with lime that was great and off menu. For dessert (of I course I did!) I got the chocolate mousse, just insane. Great texture and flavor. It's actually quite big and worth sharing. No wonder this restaurant has the best chef in Ireland. They proved it for sure!

I had a ridiculously good crab salad here - every bite burst with full, fresh flavour and texture - crispy leaves, apple, poppy seeds. Honestly a meal I will remember for a long time. Service is pretty efficient and you can pay out the counter (where you can also pick up sweet treats like coconut macaroons) so it's a good place for relatively quick lunch. I also loved the setting, particularly the glass roof.

This restaurant was very comfortable and excellent service. But the food is the best we had in our whole trip over all South Ireland. You can see and taste the difference.

Went here for dinner with a group of five (GET RESERVATIONS!) after touring Galway city for the day. This is basically my dream restaurant: cute and cozy, excellent service, innovative and delicious food. Looking around the joint, everyone was having a nice time with their companions and enjoying the food. We had the burnt bread dip starter, which was fantastic, along with some interesting and yummy cocktails. One of the group had lamb prosciutto which was also great. For the main, my husband had steak (perfectly done) and I had the pork katsu, a generous portion perfectly cooked, seasoned, and juicy. For dessert, we split the pav which had delicious lemon curd on it. Kai is one of the reasons I'd return to Galway (we are visiting from California).

There is a reason every review is 5 stars. THIS PLACE IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL OF PHENOMENAL-NESS. Best meal in Ireland - hands down (sorry Winding Stair). Got a bottle of white wine to start. Cannot remember what it was but it was really good and light. Appetizers: Something with crab and cucumber. Yum. And the burrata, tomato, and chanterelle mushrooms. Amazing. Main courses: I had the monkfish with pumpkin and chick peas. It had a sort of Moroccan flavor profile and it was beyond amazing. I'd never had monkfish before but it is my new favorite fish. It's an UGLY MOFO but dang, they taste amazing. Had an almost lobster-like meatiness. The flavors were so perfect. I'd probably cut off one of my fingers if it meant I got to eat this again. Still in awe of this dish. I kept shoving bites of it in my boyfriends mouth so he could understand why I was ranting & raving while eating it. My BF had stuffed zucchini flowers with a tabouli salad thing. It was very good. But not as good as my monkfish. For dessert, we shared wine poached figs with chocolate mousse and something. Very yummy but we were too stuffed to really appreciate it. We also had shots of some kind of digestif with black cherry bourbon and something, IDK, it was good. I was already drunk. The interior is very cute too with wood beams on the ceilings and jars of preserved things all around. It is really abundantly clear that the owners of this place care about quality of ingredients and immaculate execution. Please, guys, never stop doing what you're doing. Should be noted: getting a reservation was a bit difficult. Had to wait 2 days to eat here but it was worth the wait. Be sure to plan ahead while in Galway. I'll always love you, Kai. I'll come back to Galway just for you.

Phenomenal food, exceptionally friendly staff. The atmosphere is comfortable and charming. Huge asset for Galway.

I'm not sure how I could forget to review this restaurant, but it's been almost a year since my visit and I can easily say that I've had one of the best meals of my entire life at Kai. The quality of the food and the amalgamation of flavors is simply divine. Do your best to get a reservation - This place is rather cozy and stays busy.

What an adorable restaurant!!! It is so quaint and charming and the service is impeccable. I love that although the menu is small, it changes daily in order to keep it fresh and exciting. While every option looked tempting, I was really in the mood for soup since I had just driven for a while after sightseeing at the Cliffs of Moher and I was chilled to the bone from the wind. The turnip soup was divine and exactly what I needed. The soup was topped with toasted seeds and a cloud of yogurt. Yum. Obviously beef is life in Ireland, so I expected nothing less than being able to order a locally brewed Galway beer and the Galway Hooker Beer was outstanding. The smartest thing is to have people pay at the register which is at the end of the bar covered in mouthwatering deserts...of course I had to get some. Later, I will be sharing two with my friend: Mississippi Pie which is a chocolate custard with meringue on top and a vanilla carrot cake with dollops of cream cheese frosting that look like little pillows of heaven. This restaurant sports Michelin rating and rightfully so and well deserved. So far Galway is my favorite location in Ireland.

A gem on Galway's trendy west end. Reservations suggested. We walked by at 5 an hour before they opened and reserved a table for two. Daily menu posted on window. Had a pint while we waited down the street at Universal, a new restaurant/pub. The Dory was perfect. The lamb chops were exceptionally seasoned. The bread was delicious, fresh and thoughtfully made.

So my meal here had a couple bumps, but I have to round up from 4.5 stars. First of all, although they were completely booked for dinner, they let me sit outside in the miraculously nice weather (it stopped raining for exactly the time I had my meal- not in Kai cafe's control, of course, but this definitely put me in a positive mood). Second of all- the lamb that I had for the main course was AMAZING. But let me not get ahead of myself. I started with the Connemara crab with salted cucumber and roe. (Their menu seems to change frequently). The quality of the crab was, unsurprisingly, great. (If there's anything I've learned in Ireland- trust in their amazing local ingredients). The crab salad, however, could have used more flavor variation. It was a little unremarkable and slightly disappointing given the quality of the crab. The dish was creamy and spicy, but the green apple bits didn't add enough acid or sweetness. It kind of reminded me of a standard crab salad that happened to be made of top-notch crab. I won't go on too much more because I don't know how long this will stay on the menu. They served brown bread and white bread (focaccia in this case) like pretty much every Irish restaurant I've been to. BUT. Their brown bread was FREAKING DELICIOUS- moist, hearty, a little sweet with a faint soda taste. "So, THIS is brown bread", I thought. Kai does a damn good bread. And then their butter sends it over the top. I'm starting to salivate just remembering. Every previous iteration of brown bread I've had so far had been... frankly not good. I've taken a few nibbles every time previously, trying to understand/appreciate the oddly dry and yet not dry, thick, unpleasant creation. "No, brown bread is not for me", I thought. Kai's changed everything, and single-handedly showed me what brown bread could and should be. Another reason for rounding up the stars. The main- the lamb chop. Holy wow this was great. The lamb itself was phenomenal (again, great quality ingredients, Ireland!). Enhancing the natural beauty of the lamb was a delicious cumin, black sesame, and fennel rub. Peaches, feta, olives, and herbs perfectly balanced the lamb. I was in heaven. I think all mains come with mashed potatoes (maybe mashed roots are just expected with entrees here..?). I thought this was unecessary, but almost ate all of mine anyways. It was probably because they were super buttery, and I needed to console myself after the lamb was gine. As far as mashed potatoes go- fine but not out of the ordinary. Although I was pretty full (the portion sizes are large and it would've been nice to split the starter with another person), I got dessert because dessert always. I ordered the pistachio, orange blossom, and raspberry pavlova. This was also quite large and would've been nice to split. It happened to be loaded with whipped cream. Ireland is single handedly having my max out on my annual whip cream quota (this wasn't a thig until I came here). I want dessert to be amazing and special. This was just fine- nothing awe-inspiring. And sadly two of the raspberries were moldy, which was thoroughly off-putting. But I was still on a high from the lamb, so I forgave this. I wonder if I should only order desserts when I know there is a pastry chef on board. I don't want to sound snooty, but a non-amazing dessert is such a waste of hopes and dreams. Almost forgot to mention that the service is ridiculously friendly and great. The staff really gave me the warm fuzzies. Probably the friendliest service I have ever had in my life. Not the perfect meal, but the highs were pretty freaking high. The lows (moldy raspberries, somewhat meh starter) were ultimately not enough to knock off that last star.

The Pretty Pollock fish fingers was better than any fish and chips I've ever had! This restaurant has amazing veggie filled dishes that leave you perfectly full, and ready for dessert!

I can't say enough good things about this place!! I was in Ireland for my wedding in June and we traveled to Galway with some family and friends after. My husband and I had been to Kai previously and really enjoyed our meal so we were dying to go back. I booked the private room upstairs and was so glad I did! Galway in the summer is extremely packed as was the restaurant. Our server was great and very knowledgeable of the menu. Everything I had was delicious but the crab salad appetizer was my favorite! The flavors were so unique and fresh. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal and we all agreed we would go back next time we were in Galway. You will not be disappointed in this place!!

Fabulous find! They don't skimp on the portions or flavors! We had a large table of eight but service was swift and friendly. The atrium area makes you feel like you're dining al fresco.

By far, the best meal we had in Ireland! Delicious and healthy. It was a nice change from meat and potatoes. Come here! I am still dreaming on how I can recreate the salad I ate.

Unbelievable. That's all you can say. Heart of Galway. You will struggle to beat this place. Class act on every aspect.

A truly dazzling dinner meal. If you are in Galway, get yourself on over to Kai. No excuses. My husband picked up this recommendation from a local he works with, and I am so pleased he did. The Yelp reviews backed up the praise and we called to make a reservation (their last of the evening!) for 8pm. If you are planning on making a stop in, do be careful and make a reservation. The dining space is small and in high demand! We opted to perch outside at one of their sidewalk tables as we were dining with le bebe. He was perfectly quiet the entire time, of course. Had we been inside I'm sure not. Law of babies. They brought a blanket to warm our legs, offered a high chair and were so very friendly. The service overall from start to finish was wonderful. The FOOD! The food. Absolute perfection. We started with a few glasses of full-bodied red (plummy and delicious, warmed me right up), and the heirloom tomato and mozzarella salad, which was a revelation. Beautiful combination, perfectly dressed, we scraped the plate clean and could've easily devoured another. A great start. For mains I had the Monkfish with lentils and asparagus (divine) and my husband the rib rack of lamb. Gorgeous. Everything bursting with flavor, beautifully presented and much appreciated by us. Not a flaw to be found, truly. We ended the meal with a homemade dessert: passionfruit panna cotta with their twist on an oreo topping. Not even something I'd ever imagined ordering/pairing together but by now, of course you know, it worked. The end being as good as the beginning! Highly recommended. I hear they have a stellar brunch as well, which I have no doubt. I'll be back on ANY return trips to beautiful Galway. Total = 100+ euro, dinner for 2. It's not cheap, but it IS worth it.

Wow!! Incredible food, service and ambiance. Arrived in Galway looking for food options and could not believe how good Kai was. Nondescript building gives way to an amazing food experience. Do not miss Kai if you are in town

Kai came recommended to us by John Coffey the chef/owner of Thyme in Athlone. We had lunch here and the place is cute as a button and filled with locals not tourists since it's a tad outside the tourist district but well worth a short walk. I had a delicious carrot, celery soup with cumin and toasted sunflower seeds. Hubby chose the fish fingers which were so incredibly fresh and lightly fried to a crispy perfection and accompanied by a fresh side salad which he loved. The staff are friendly and very welcoming. They are also clearly proud of the food they serve - as they should be. Kieran the manager is from London but moved to be with family in Gallway explained to me the owner is a New Zealand lady who I assume is called Kai. Her goal was to open a restaurant that would serve food a mother would put in the table. They indeed do in spades. Only two negatives - 1) we ate too much and didn't save room for the cakes and pies and 2) we were heading back to Athlone and could not return for dinner which looks just as good if not more amazing. This place is a must visit if you are in Gallway.

Lovely place! We got there with less than an hour before 4pm, so we had something quick and moved on to another place. The ambience was lovely and the staff was so nice. I'd come back for dinner next time.

I love this place, food excellent a bit left field, take it as it is but high standards all round and original.

The food was very good. There is no disputing this. However the entire experience was ruined by the incredibly rude American waitress who repeatedly made us feel uncomfortable, and at times was flat out rude and disrespectful. You are charging a premium price for a premium product, it baffles the mind that it has not occurred to this person that dining is as much an experience as it is about anything you can offer gastronomically. We are paying for service and ambience. Perhaps you don't have a naturally sunny disposition, however at the very least you can be professional and courteous. Clearly, not everybody has the personality to work in the service industry. It's a shame that such excellent food was completely and utterly overshadowed by this grotesque sideshow.

Wonderful meal. The Hake and mussels casserole was so fresh and the fish was buttery. The sauce was brothy and so delicious. Lamb chop was perfectly seared and seasoned and every component of the dish was well thought out and compliments each other. Chocolate mouse and cherry Gelato dessert capped a perfect meal. Nice setting and attentive staff

Cute location. Had a delicious fresh creative lunch. The fresh crab salad from west coast of Ireland was delicious and very herbaceous and crispy fresh lettuces were added welcome after too much heavy pub foods in previous days. Soup of kolorabi and fresh kale and miso was so tasty and great combination. Their brown bread with seeds was perfect and hearty. Service was excellent. Treacle pie was divine. Highly recommend this fun little restaurant.

My husband and I had two starters and shared a main meal. We really agreed on it almost to the exact wording so much of my review is like his. Ceviche was very good and I LOVE ceviche. We also had the lamb with pecorino sardo and grilled nectarines. Very thin slices of lamb with good flavor. The main meal was the swordfish. They have a very light mayonnaise like sauce. Very well done, taste wise. Really very rare from a grilled stand point as is the custom now. We both liked it prepared this way - and had asked to have it as the chef recommends. Desert was lemon pudding with black berries. Wow. Very good. The pudding reminded me of limoncello. The service was excellent from start to finish. We had to wait over an hour - but spent that time walking around Galway so it was ok. I'd recommend reservations.

Came here for a quick lunch and it was so good! I got the crab salad and my boyfriend got the beef stew. The interior is beautiful and the service was quick. We spent 35 euro on our lunch which included the meals above and two beers. Everything was so fresh, and the desserts looked amazing!

Totally delicious pastries! Fantastic atmosphere and friendly staff. We had five different pastries and one was better than the rest. Big portions. Free wifi. Friendly staff. Don't miss it if you don't have to.

Excellent meal in Galway. It is able to balance modern decor with the cozy feel of a cottage. Our meals were outstanding. Highly recommended.

We stopped in for lunch and were so glad we did. The waiter was extremely friendly and helpful. My husband got the lamb stew and said it was the best he's had. I got a seafood picnic/platter dish and also really enjoyed it. We were stuffed so we got a couple of pieces of cake to go. Don't dare skip on the dessert!

The first time I came it was great but the next few times it kind of disappointed. Since they change their menu all the time it just depends on what you like. Service has also been very inconsistent, sometimes great, sometimes not so great. So it's just very middle of the road for me

Book early and bring your credit card! This is one of the most popular ( and priciest) restaurants in Galway. Quite a succinct dinner menu but guaranteed all locally source fresh produce and variety of craft beer and home made lemonade :) 3 course fine for 2 with 2 beers came to €120 so just special occasions really inked your minted ! Have yet to try Sunday brunch- which there was a queue for the last time I attempted to get in!

This restaurant was awesome! The food was great and the service was excellent. I had the lamb meatloaf and my wife had the fish fingers. We both throughly enjoyed our meals. I would definitely recommend this place and would certainly visit again!