McDonagh's

We stopped by this much-hyped Galway restaurant for a quick bite, with only two hours to spare. Sadly, the fish and chips didn’t deliver. The chips were thick, bland, and flavorless, and the fish was nothing special. Far from the best—wouldn’t even place it in the middle tier of spots we’ve tried.

Was told by many this was one of the best seafood spots in terms of freshness in all of Galway. Arrived on a Monday afternoon and the place was packed. Order from the counter and retrieve your food, seat yourself at one of the tables inside or out. The food lives up to the expectations. Nothing creative, no unique flavors, but the freshness is incomparable. Oysters still taste like the sea, fried cod tastes like each piece was plucked out of the ocean only hours before hitting the plate. Accompaniments were above average with 10/10 coleslaw and a house made garlic sauce that make you jump for joy even at the most average of chips. The service, or lack there of, is fine. The slightly (or not so much) group of condescending order takers are promptly ready to take your order. Just be ready to know what you want before hand. Overall a good experience and can’t beat the prices for the freshest seafood around.

The food here was tasty with ample portion sizes, but warning: the fries were huge! The fish was fresh, the tartar was good and the oysters were the best my wife has ever had. Staff moved people into seats as they opened up. It was busy and not very relaxing, but an above average eating experience.

Friendly and kind staffs and fast service. Just an ordinary restaurant. Deep fried food (seafood, fries, and onion rings, etc.) is too oily and unhealthy for customers. It would be great if they add the options of salads on their menu to balance the taste of the food.

This place is absolutely fantastic and the fish and chips was perfect. I had the cod and it was perfectly cooked and flaky. My wife had the chicken and it was so good the it was comparable to the recipe at K*C. I would definitely recommend when your in Galway.

Stopped into McDonough’s just looking for a quiet moment with a cod and chips. But instead, I walked straight into what felt like the Irish remake of Taken. Just as I’m shaking vinegar onto my fries, this tourist in a bright yellow poncho storms in screaming about how someone “stole his seat outside.” People freeze. An old man drops his mushy peas. Before anyone can move, one of the fry cooks calmly steps out from behind the counter, wipes his hands on a towel, and says in the steadiest voice I’ve ever heard: “There are no reserved seats in Galway, lad.” The tourist lunges. Big mistake. The cook sidesteps, spins the guy with a ladle like he’s Riverdancing with a hurl, and gently deposits him out the door like a puff of steam from the fryer. Crowd erupts in polite Irish clapping. I ask him, “Are you alright?” He nods, takes off his apron, and says, “We serve fresh fish and swift justice. Next.” Five stars. The hake was crispy. Will absolutely return.

Tasty Fish, Friendly Service Stopped in at McDonagh’s while in Galway — super glad I did! The staff were really friendly and quick, even with the place being busy. The fish was absolutely delicious — fresh, flaky, and fried just right. The chips were okay, not super crispy, but the fish more than made up for it. Great spot if you’re craving classic fish and chips while exploring the city. I’d definitely come back for the fish!

Lived up to the hype! Excellent fish and chips. Not oily or greasy tasting batter like in the states You order first at the counter then grab a seat - mix of tables, bar seats, and some outdoor picnic tables in the front.

Great spot for some fresh fish and chips while walking around main st. Very straightforward and unassuming, with quick service and decent food. You order at the counter and pay, then bring your food to a table. There's a variety of local options for your fried fish, but we went with Cod (maybe a little safe?). Paired it with a large serving of chips, and a side of mushy peas. Cod was glistening, but felt perhaps a touch overcooked? Regardless, decent meal after walking around the Cliffs of Moher for a couple of hours. Conveniently located a the very beginning (or end?) of main street, you can get your fix, and walk around the area to explore.

First thing to know: my husband has the patience of a saint. I mean he'd have to, obviously. Through at least three trips to Galway, he has said to whichever group we were traveling with at the time,"we should go to McDonagh's if you want really good fish and chips." Did any of us ever listen? Not really. "But Bobby Flay said this place was the best he had ever had!" I pitched. We went and all agreed - it was gross. "Ooooh, meat pies!" said my dad and stepmother. We enjoyed them, but we may have been alone in that since they have already closed. Finally on our third trip, just me and the fella with no other outside influences, he could really stick his heels in. "We are GOING to McDonagh's this time." And so of course we did. He had been so very patient after all. And so very right as he so often is. I went rogue here, but bear with me. These folks are SLANGING the fish. It's flying out fast and furious from this well oiled machine. It's one of those magical, "yes the place is packed but by the time your food is up a table will have (probably) opened" joints. The process is fairly simple (unless you are indecisive or English is not your first language) but you do need to move quickly to avoid the ire of those around you. Step one - pick a fish. There are several. After experiences elsewhere I know I do not want smoked fish or ray. I hate salmon. This helps to narrow things down. Cod it is. But wait - what's this? They have chicken? Fried chicken? (this is where I went rogue, but my husband and I are professional plate sharers so I knew this way we could both try chicken AND fish). Step two - order chips (unofficial requirement). Step three - order any other sides - I suggest curry for the mandatory chips from step two. Step four - order Guinness. Not as mandatory as chips, but strongly recommended. Step five - pay. Look around and panic a little bit because all the tables are full. Step six - rejoice as seats open up moments before your food is ready for pick up. Step seven - nirvana. Swap a piece of fish for a piece of chicken and toast your wise and patient husband.

In a seaside town, one must have fish and chips. I asked my host at my hotel for a list of recommendations. My friend asked her host at her hotel for a list of recommendations. And I checked Yelp. All three contained McDonagh's. This is absolutely not a fancy place. Order at the counter and you'll find a seat. They do not want you taking a seat before you order as they desperately need the turnover here. After waiting in the queue, I ordered the fish and chips (I chose hake for an extra €1) and my friend the baked fish. With a tin of beer and a tin of wine, it was not at all expensive. It did not take too long for our food to be ready - both very big portions with enough fries (chips) to share. The fish was hot, light and flaky. Absolutely delicious and worth the wait. This place moves fast and if you're paying attention, there are people waiting for seats. Be kind and head on when your meal is done. [Review 1930 of 2024 - 112 in Republic of Ireland - 22952 overall]

A classic and worth the trip. We made the day trip out to Galway and looking for some lunch and we found this place. It's a super simple establishment where you order at the counter and seat yourself. I got the fish and shared some chips with a friend. The tartare sauce was delish and the fish was fresh and I thought it was well priced. Nothing crazy but still hits the spot! Definitely was busy on a Sunday but we managed to get a table outside. Worth the stop if you're in town!

To die for GIGA Oysters! Delicious fish and chips. Came here because it was highly recommended and I ended up eating here two days in a row. Giga Oysters were fresh, fish and chips were made to order. Although this place is busy, employees here are extremely fast and efficient. Loved it! Highly recommend this place.

Ate here for lunch 12:03 PM. Friendly service great recommendations from personnel. The Cod is popular and that's what we ordered. Shared a large platter of fries that feeds 4 or 6 individuals, we were 3 people. My husband wanted the mackerel and it was fried sardines, very fishy. Be careful when ordering the Mackerel. I had curry sauce (dairy-free); it was good - my husband had the coleslaw, VERY mayonnaise based, he did not like the coleslaw (we are from Texas and know coleslaw, this was not it) loved the ambiance, great locations too. Not bad except everything is FRIED. If you want greasy food this is the place. I've had England Fish & Chips, this was better.

McDonagh's is a classic (and probably the most famous) fish and chips shop in Galway city. It seems to be packed with a long line at all hours of the day. Its location is smack in the middle of the city and the options are very limited - several types of fish, chicken, chips, and some other sides. I am from the states and so I do not get to have a good fish and chips often so I was looking forward to this meal very much on my trip to Galway. I decided to go with the most standard meal: cod and chips. Also made it 1 step up with a side order of curry. The fish was very good - nice crispy exterior with a soft interior. I would have preferred the fish be seasoned a bit more, but it was still very delicious. The chips were good, but much better when paired with the curry. Overall, a delicious fish and chips shop that I would highly recommend to all!

A fun, divey fish and chips spot along the main strip in Galway. Going anywhere near dinner time (at least in August), the lines are out the door. Don't worry. They keep them moving fast. They offer a variety of types of fish and some shellfish (all fried, I think, except oysters can be ordered raw). The fish is top notch. Great fish to start with, and then it's battered and fried perfectly. The chips are fine. Nothing special. Mine probably would have benefited from being salted right out of the fryer to give them a little more flavor and crisp. But... They're chips and they get the job done. You have to pay for any sauces you want with them, but they have options beyond tartar sauce. I got a curry sauce that was pretty good. The vibe inside is very street food dive, but not in a bad way. McDonagh's executed on what it is very well. They deliver fantastic, traditional fried fish in a straightforward way.

Authentic and very popular fish and chips spot. Food was heavy but a great splurge meal, and the sauces paired well with the fish. Service was pretty quick despite long lines, and the place has a fun family vibe.

Outstanding oysters. And our tour guide said they have the best fish and chips in Ireland. Perhaps? I thought the traditional fish and chips were great and the oysters were so good that I had to get another half dozen. This place is a perfect example of "less is more". Have a simple menu and focus on doing a handful of things REALLY well. They know how to move the line along quickly and are super efficient whilst still being friendly. Walk up to the counter, get your order in and they'll bring it to your table in a jiffy. Super casual-you might sit at a table with strangers. Make some friends and enjoy your meal.

Good food but if you are with a large party limited seating and it's a very busy area on weekends ..you order and pay for your food before getting a table and the server said she would wait to bring us our food until We were able to sit down and that was very Helpful .

Solid.... Chippy? Kinda? Either way the food is 10/10 if you want fish and chips or whatever in fried delicious goodness. You can sit and eat in or to go. If you have never had proper fish and chips from a chippy, do it here.

My husband really enjoyed this place. Was recommended to us for the best fish and chips to be had in Galway. He also said it was a lively place and the staff was fun. He wants to return.

My friend highly recommended eating here and even wanted me to check whether they sold sweaters (note - they don't but they have tshirts). You order at the counter first and then they'll bring out the food. My friend and I each got the cod and a large plate of chips to share. There are condiments at each table and you can also purchase sauces for the fish. They have a variety of seafood options that they fry up right then and there, so it comes piping hot. Indoor seating only and takeout available. Credit cards accepted. We were in and out in under an hour.

Delicious fish and chips- 100-% recco. One of the only places to be open past 9pm during the week. The ambiance and service is amazing. They offer multiple fish and/or oysters. I got the cod with a side of tartare and curry. Delicious.

The cod was great, fried but not "too fried", and rivaled fish we got at more upscale establishments across Ireland and London. The chips were surprisingly bad and soggy; we chose not to eat them and would not order again. Service was super fast, and we got our food right at the counter when ordering. Pricing was also fair, at €8.20 for the cod.

This place specializes in fish and chips and they really perfected it. The batter that was used had a doughy flavor that felt hearty and flavorful. The cod was fresh tasting and the chips were freshly made. The service was amazing considering they were extremely busy. We got our plates before we even finished paying. The establishment itself was crowded but had such a great vibe I can't be mad. It felt like a gem.

After walking about a bit in Galway, lunch beckoned. Being in a tourist area, finding a venue for lunch didn't seem to be a hard task. McDonagh's was recommended by the tour guide. When we found ourselves outside the store front, we decided to give it a try. I got the traditional fish and chips. Seemed safe enough. SO was more adventurous and got the "ray." Chips could have been crisper, but was satisfactory. Ray was a fish I most likely won't ever get in any further travels. Lot of cartilage to eat around and the taste remains in your mouth after you swallow it. and no, not a taste you want repeating after you eat it. Inside the staff were quite pleasant, something I found in Ireland in general. Decor was quite kitschy with lobster traps, shells on the walls and ceiling. Enjoy the fish and chips, skip the ray.

A no-frills spot with a convenient location. Bland fish. Bland chips. Put me off from ordering fish and chips again for the rest of the trip.

Not too shabby for fast food here in Galway. We popped in looking for oysters and we found them. No frills, but fresh and did the job. The oysters tasted like they were just caught and left the best possible aftertaste. I can't explain it, but they tasted like the ocean but not fishy or gross. We also grabbed some fish and chips, beer and added Tartar sauce on the side. The fries were undercooked for our liking, but decent. Service was fast and friendly enough.

There is nothing wrong with stopping here and having lunch. What was disappointing was we are grown ups and weren't smart enough to avoid it. We don't eat fried foods, but we let the tour guide and our fellow travelers convince us that you can't come to Ireland and not experience fish and chips. Peer pressure won on this day. So, we did and while they weren't awful, they weren't great either. It was especially disappointing to see all the other restaurants we could have tried, but we learned that you can come to Ireland and not have fish and chips. You will survive just fine, especially if you don't eat deep fried, greasy stuff at home.

Definitely a spot for fish/chips of the old school variety. They have a limited menu - but if you like it old-fashioned you will not be disappointed. Galway City was a great lil' village town with a fishing village feel, lots of great lil shops.

This place was recommended by our tour guide of the day and it exceeded our expectations. The portions were huge, it was delicious, amazing customer service, and all of the decorations were fun to look at. This is an award winning spot and it deserves all of them and more. Prices were very budget friendly and great portions. The cod fish and chips was very good and the oysters were good (as good as oysters can be) and fresh from that morning! Definitely will go again!

Everything was great! We were here 15 years ago and wanted to come back for the fantastic fish, many choices, but we chose the house fav of cod. The oysters were delicious and tasted fresh from the water! I agree with other reviews that the chips were just ok.... Maybe it's the American taste buds because the newspaper reviews claim they win year after year! Take time to read the framed prints on the wall because it's very interesting to learn the history off over 100 years. We stopped in with a party of 8 right at noon and didn't have a problem finding seats.

My husband and I had lunch at McDonagh's. The fish (cod) and chips were very good. It's not a fancy place, but if you are looking for good fish and chips, this place is great.

Really great fish, high quality and crispy. A bit pricy for what it is and the chips and tartar need to be ordered separately so don't forget to do that. Fast casual sort of joint. Yum!

Food was mediocre. I had the scampi and chips and the oysters. Not sure how to mess up chips but they did. The bigger issue is the staff and seating. They are quite rude and come up and rearrange people to different tables. I sat opposite a stranger while my brother sat opposite another stranger. Think Seinfeld's The Soup Nazi. Not worth it at all. There are other oyster options in Galway.

Heard this was the best fish in town (and was told to skip the chips). After tasting I think I would have to agree - the code was excellent! I gambled on some onion rings since they were ~€2 and I wanted to follow the reco on chips - not bad. Fish is the hero for sure

Excellent and fresh. We did a to go order of oysters and fish and chips. So good! Highly recommended

TLDR: no frills fish and chips Love seeing a place like this. Service was fast with your standard fixings. The place is casual, perfect for a quick delicious bite.

All three suggested. We were introduced to McDonaghs years ago by your former employee May Knight, a great friend of my mother. They are both gone now but we still visit McDonaghs when we visit Ireland. Wouldn't miss it.

Delicious fish and oysters. Would definitely recommend! The whole ambience was wonderful as well.

Delicious fish and chips and fried shrimp. We were visiting from California and The Latin Quarter was on our list of places to visit after Cliffs of Moher. This place is casual and you line up to order your food. Staff bring the food to your table. The staff is efficient and quick. The ambience is simple, but cute. We enjoyed our meal here.

Had to try the infamous McDonagh's! Super cute place, we had the fish, chips, onion rings. Folks were super nice and the service was quick.

Best fish & chips in all of Ireland!!! Had read reviews on travel blogs and they were completely accurate. Amazing fish & chips! Cute place. Easy counter service ordering with friendly staff.

2 hours at Galway is not enough. It's a lovely town and quite crowded on weekends as there's also a farmer's market. Since it's a coastal town,. I wanted to get some seafood and this is apparently an institution with the locals. Oysters were freshly shucked and so yummy. I should have gone for half dozen. I had to have the fish soup as recommended by the tour guide although Ola didn't specify where to have it. The chips were really good and I had cod. The batter was crisp and the fish flaky and tasty. Lots of ketchup on the table and I sat there watching the world go by. An Irish man sat next to me and struck up a conversation which was really nice.

We waited in line to order at this Galway favorite. It was good - but not amazing. The people were awesome though and found a spot for us to eat when it was crowded.

I have no idea why so many hotels, taxi drivers, bus drivers, etc...SWEAR that this is the best fish & chips. First the place is so tiny that you can't even move when seated at one of tables. Second, if you're ordering cod and chips please be aware that it's like fast food: the cod and chips are already cooked and just sitting under warmers and aren't cooked fresh. Same with the onion rings. Our onion rings were lukewarm and I took them back. Also, they CHARGE 2.10EUROS for tartare sauce! Absolutely unacceptable for a fish & chips place to charge extra for sauce that most people use. And a 6-ounce glass of soda is $2 EUROS! ABSOLUTE RIP OFF AND MUCH BETTER FISH AND CHIPS ELSEWHERE. Please, heed my advice and steer clear of this dump

One of the best fish and chips ever had. You get to choose the type of fish you want from 8 different types of fish. And you can choose the chip or others, I had the onion rings, they are very thick. I had the Hake fish, because I like the hake fishiness, the batter is thin and crispy, the fish is hot and juicy inside. Their chowder is also very good with big pieces of fish inside. It's more like a fast food joint, order from the counter then go find the seat. They will bring the food over if they don't have it right away. Line can be long and it might be tough to find seat. But people move in and out fast. This place is filled with locals. Also one reason is the price is really reasonable.

Was not the greatest quality food but a solid stop nonetheless. Quick service was the highlight but not a standout meal by any stretch. Still good though

The best fish and chips in Galway, if not all of Ireland! Belly up to the food bar to order and then take this fresh from the ocean, lightly battered fish and chips to your table and devour! Better get there early (6ish) to avoid the long lines! This gem in the heart of the city is a must for fish aficionados. My empty plate is my testament to the deliciousness of the food!

The food is great, if you want to have fish and chips, and you want it fast. The service is also good. The only reason that it doesn't get the full 5 stars is the environment. Due to its location, it's too busy all the time and you may need to share your table with others. So if you are looking for a calm place, you should not go there. But if you want fish and chips and want it fast, this is your place.

This place was recommended to me by my AirBnB host as a "classic" for fish and chips so I knew I needed to go. I had also made it my mission to try oysters while in Galway and you can't get more fresh than this- oysters from Galway bay caught that morning. I tried the oysters first and while they were DEFINITELY fresh, the texture is not for me and I only ended up eating two. The fish & chips, though, was very good. You order the fish and chips separately so you pick your fish (which you can get by itself) and then if you want chips, add them separately; which of course I did. I would not recommend mackerel unless you know you like it. It was HUGE and definitely enough for one person but isn't your typical fish used in a "fish and chips" dish. I would recommend cod or another white fish. Nonetheless, it was very good. Their tartar sauce is great and ketchup is at all of the tables. This place gets BUSY so if you have a large group, you might need to wait awhile as the inside is all seat yourself. Overall, the food was good so I rate it highly, but not the choices I would make if I were to go back.

Ok, unpopular opinion, I didn't love it. My partner's family who live in the Galway area swear by it and we just had to give it a try. Like any chipper, they are divey and greasy and a bit dirty. I didn't have a problem with that. In fact, I think it gives it an authenticity. I did like that it had ample seating and the service was quick and nonfussed. However, they DO NOT SALT THEIR FISH! I bit into the fish of my fish and chips and it was so bland. I was told that one is expected to salt it themselves but there was no salt on the table and I do not like tartar sauce. so it was super bland and the best part were the fries. I'm sure many people will like it and I do not discourage others from trying it themselves but I will not come back

I wanted to save my first Fish N Chips experience for somewhere special.. So i took to what our guide had suggested and stopped here. Wow, the hype is very real. My plate was absolutely delicious! If im ever in Galway again, im going to be sure to stop here. Beware the hordes of seagulls, they also know how good the chips are!

Not worth the wait. Food was really bland. Chips/ fries did not taste like potatoes Stopped by from bus tour. Ambiance decorations were nice.

Someone highly recommended this to us as the best fish and chips in Galway so we had to check it out. After everything I was told, I was actually a little disappointed. We were also recommended the fried haggis, so we got a order of that which I loved. We also got the fish skewer with chips which I wasn't that impressed by. We had better fish and chips elsewhere in Ireland. We went to the side where you order at the counter, find a seat, and they bring your food to you. The service was fast and the food was very cheap. All in all, I did enjoy my food, it just didn't quite live up to my expectations.

I wanted oysters, boy did I want oysters. I read so many reviews looking for somewhere that had fresh oysters on the menu, and McDonagh's kept coming up. I was a little surprised that after finding it (really not that hard it's in the most touristy part of Galway) discovered it was basically a fish and chip place! Oh well. As they say when in Rome (or Galway). I ordered 2 doz oysters and the Hake. Fresh fish, fries that were as good as any I have had anywhere! I have eaten oysters all over the world I live on the east coast USA and can honestly say never have I tasted oysters as fresh and tasty as these. How good came back the next day for more! Yes it's a tourist dive, yes it's busy, yes you share a table with other travelers from all four corners of the globe, but I say it again, the oysters that have been touched by the hand of god are to die for!

Stopped here for some oysters after hearing that Galway was known for them..1 dozen turned into 2 dozen, and then into 3 dozen. If i wasn't strapped for time, it would've been 4. Can't speak for the other fish here but the local oysters were top notch