The Kings Head

It had the feel of a traditional Irish pub—cozy, lively, and welcoming. We were seated right away, and the service was quick without feeling rushed. The food came out fast and was really good, with plenty of classic Irish options to choose from. Everything we tried was tasty, and the whole experience was smooth and pleasant from start to finish.

We stopped in on a Thursday afternoon. We absolutely couldn't pass up a pub that's more than 800 years old. The atmosphere and vibe definitely didn't disappoint. Love the ancient winding architectural nooks and crannies, the fireplace. This place was pretty darn busy on a mid-week afternoon. There were servers to come to your tables and they were flying. We loved it so much that I bought a t-shirt ... I thought I bought a black t-shirt but when we got into normal lighting, found out it's blue. haha. Cool pub.

Lunch at The King’s Head is like eating inside a history book that smells of Guinness and grilled meat. Crab legs, bruschetta, ribs, oysters ...they all came out bold and unapologetic, like Galway itself. The seafood was briny perfection, the desserts sinful enough to make you stay longer. The place has centuries of stories soaked into its walls, and you can feel every one of them while you eat. Loud, a little chaotic, but that’s exactly the point.

Went here to check out the space of this historical building/place in Galway. (Since 1649.) The King's Head - Blood Red Ale - was on our radar. Cool interior space. And had some very old walls. The ambient red lighting, upstairs, was very cool. And the beers were very good - and on Nitro if I remember right. The staff was just okay. Not real interested in making eye contact, and having to pour a pint or two, it seemed. We didn't eat here, so I'm not sure on the food. Seeing some of the other reviews, it looks like it could be hit or miss.

What a great Bar & Restaurant. Deceptively huge on the inside. Several floors, bar, restaurant and upper floor over looking the stage. Great food and service. Perfectly decorated in period style with just the right lightning and atmosphere. Steeped in history, and great live music, you can lose hours in here. Will always go back when in Galway

A wonderful atmosphere for a pint. The inside has so much space — a great opportunity to sit for a bit before continuing to explore Galway.

The food service and pub are wonderful. The only knock is that the apps are small but they were so good it didn’t matter. We went with the goat cheese croquettes, ribs and crab claws for apps. We went with the fish and chips and Guinness stews for mains. All were delicious and hit the spot and one of our favorites pubs in Ireland.

Heard this place was good, but unfortunately found it to be just an over priced poorly serviced gimmicky tourist trap. Waited 20mins for an old fashioned on a Monday evening around 7pm not even incredibly busy, and received a watery mess of ice cubes and barely discernible whiskey taste. The food was incredibly over priced for amount and subpar quality. Fish and chips especially was disappointing the fish was soggy, the vinegar was white not malt, and the chips seriously had a microwaved texture. Plus service was so slow even to get the check. Fried crab claws were good simply for the sauce it was served with but again skimpy amount for the price and quality of crab. Definitely would not recommend not even for a tourist photo.

We landed here shortly after arriving so my memory was mostly one of relief at being able to sit down and get food and a pint. The service was great and the food good. I wouldn't confuse it for gourmet but it was solid. My one regret? Not buying on of their shirts. Trust me, get one.

We wanted to love The King's Head, and the service and ambiance were both promising, even though there was a constant sense of hustle and bustle. And the pre-meal cocktails were lovely. But the food was sadly uneven. The Chilled Seafood Platter was delicious. The Crab Claws starter was Ok, but the garilc-butter sauce was a bit too garlic-forward and included chili spice not mentioned in the menu and almost too hot to enjoy. The biggest disappointment was the Lobster and Chips. The chips were tasty and grease less. The lobster, however, was mushy in texture and provided very little meat. My wife and I were sufficiently hungry shared a slice of pizza after dinner -- and found it more satisfying than our experience at The King's Head. Sigh

I know this review is mainly going to be seen by Americans and not by Irish people but this restaurant was not good. It's such a shame because they are transparent about their sourcing which is really cool and unusual. Also the history of the building is interesting. But the food was shite. We got oysters because they're supposed to be a specialty of Galway. Shucked so badly. I had to keep spitting out bits because there was so much shell fragment in. I spat out at least 5-6 pieces across 3 oysters. They were also shucked badly enough that the some oysters were a bit cut up and not intact. The Guinness & beef stew was tasty, but the meat was tough. Not sure if that's typical or not. The dahl was drowning in black cardamom. Not toasted as far as I could tell and definitely not ground. That one was probably my bad for ordering dahl at a pub but I was desperately in need of some veg. Ambiance is classic pub. Bathroom smelt of mildew but the rest of the restaurant was fine. Not terrible, maybe average to subpar. Wouldn't return, wasn't worth the money.

If you want the quintessential tourist Ireland pub experience, this is one place you can have it at. This place is crowded, has live music and has their bar pumping out drinks quickly. We had a bit of a wait for dinner service, but once we were in the food was good! I ordered the seafood platter and it did not disappoint! So much variety of seafood presented. For dessert I tried the fresh strawberry, cream on meringue. It was so light, it was the perfect closing. Service was not so great, but sort of to be expected with a new server at such a busy place.

I have an acquaintance I have known for many years. He is a musician and spends considerable time in Galway. It was only natural to ask him his favorite eateries. I was taking a tour while in Ireland and we would be spending a few hours in Galway. It was just after lunch hour so the place was relatively quiet. I ordered a Guinness and the fish and chips. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The portions were huge and well priced. My only regret is that I wouldn't be there during a busy time. That may sound odd but, I believe it would be a raucous good time. Thanks Jay Pinto for the tip

Such a cool spot, with an interesting history! I tried the Guinness stew, boxty, and soda bread. Everything was delicious! The servers were friendly and service was prompt. They are very allergy-friendly and will ensure your food allergies are known by the kitchen.

What a cool spot. Be sure to read up on the history of the building. We missed out on the live music since we got here for lunch but I'm guessing it's a great time. The seafood chowder was excellent, lots of chunks of seafood and a nice touch of dill. The wife got the schnitzel, which was tasty though she skipped out on the slaw Daughter had the fish and chips, which were crispy and crunchy and flavorful. Son had the boneless ribs and he loved it. Service was prompt, friendly and efficient. Highly recommend this spot.

So much cool history about this place! I came here on the recommendation of a nearby shop owner. The front is a proper pub where folks were really into a game that was on the tvs. In the back to the side is the restaurant that is much more calm. I got a table there and ordered a quick meal so that I could get back to my tour group. The seafood chowder was solid and had good flavor, just needed a bit more salt. The chips, aka french fries, were so good! I contemplated taking the rest of them with me lol. The servers had on the cutest Kings Head Christmas shirts and I was able to purchase one as a souvenir! The girl who waited on me was great as well. Very attentive and friendly!

The service was slow. We did not get our drinks until we were done with our food so we thought they had forgotten about our drinks. The burger was not good and cold. The fries were also cold. The stew was the best thing we ordered and it had coarsely chopped vegetables. Luckily it wasn't crowded and multiple families with children were eating in.

Great spot in The Latin Quarters of Galway! We stopped for a quick snack before our Whiskey tour at 4:00; my travel mate had the seafood chowder (I believe was the special) and she said it was really good and creamy. I had the Irish Crisps (French fries) and those were really good. I love my fries with mustard instead of catsup because of the sugars. Our waitperson was cordial & quick. She engaged with us as needed with a pretty smile. Go early because it does become crowded quickly. Clean and inviting atmosphere. I give my recommendation to try out The King's Head while in town!

Excellent seafood chowder - would definitely recommend. Great and friendly service. Service was also fast as I was in a time crunch trying to make it back to the bus!

We stopped here very briefly for a snack. We had the seafood chowder which was creamy and flavorful. Almost everything that we had in Ireland was served with what they call Guinness Brown Bread. It's fantastic. If this pub could talk, it would have some stories. It's over 800 years old. I had to stop and check it out.

I don't get the low reviews--honestly one of the best meals we had in Ireland! Crazy good scallops, fish and chips were classic, and outstanding cocktails.

During our short stop in Galway, our tour guide named The Kings Head as one of the recommendations. From the outside already, the restaurant takes you a bit back into time as you go inside. The fireplace is the first thing that welcomes you in this pub with lots of old decor. We got seated fairly quick and were quick to order as we were starving. We started off with the Rock Oysters (€17.50) and Crispy Chicken Wings (€11.45). Even though the oysters were recommended as Galway is close to the ocean, these were sadly disappointing. The oysters were so skimpy and totally not worth it. On the other hand, the wings were pretty unique in flavor and had a nice crispy to it. For the main courses, we ordered the Beef and Guinness (€18.95) and Fish and Chips (€21.00). The fish was a thick piece, which almost got a bit overwhelming. The tartar sauce helped balance this a lot though. But the favorite dish was definitely the beef stew. It was super flavorful with a creamy mashed potato. We had multiple stews during our trip in Ireland and this one was our favorite! This was a great spot in the town of Galway for some good ol' Irish food.

The food and service were great. I had the chowder and fish chips were excellent. Guinness pint was also great.

Delicious food. Lively ambience (busy because everyone was trying to get away from the rain), nice staff. My family had the Guinness stew with creamy rich mashed potatoes, fish and chips, onion rings. Best onion rings-- light crispy coating, sweet tender onion. Same coating as the fish in the fish and chips plate.

Me and all 12 of my companions dined at this establishment expecting a great meal! Little did we know, we would be getting sick all night long. I believe we all received food poisoning from the meals here. Awful food quality!!!! The glasses and silverware were disgusting!! My friend received cheap pours in her drinks, and also got foggy vodka?!?!?!?? Do not come here!!!!!!!!! P.S. I asked for mustard and they gave me horse radish!!!!

Food was very mediocre, clearly cooked in advance and heated, slow and inconsistent service. Definitely better options.

800 years of history but still innovating cool cocktails. Try the Executioner's Old Fashioned! Also, the mussels were good, and the Seafood Chowder has a very unique POV that we enjoyed. Just avoid sitting upstairs if you are dining. It's a huge, rambling place, and when we came, the staff were very kind but spread a little too thin to cover all corners of this gem.

A wonderful Irish pub/restaurant! Our group had a short wait and had drinks by the coffee little fire while we waited. I loved the ambiance and Halloween decorations! Food was a little pricey, but very good. I had the vegetable Dahl and found it flavorful and delicious. The bread that came with it was a little tough, but softened when dipped into the Dahl and added a nice crunch. Great place in Galway!

Great bar considering the history surrounding it. You feel the history as you enter. It's a very large bar with multiple floors, don't be fooled by the look on the outside . Multiple bars on each level and a bistro area that serves food and drinks as well. Service was good , definitely a nice bar to hang out.

Cozy and historic pub in Galway; while seemingly a tourist stop, the food looked delicious, the service was fast, and the ambiance was interesting!

Great beer. Food was very good. Story with this several hundred year old bar also good. Nice place to visit in Galway.

Outstanding food, cider, Blood Red Ale, service, and ambiance!!! Outstanding beef stew, fish and chips, seafood chowder, and monkfish seafood!!!

Delicious food and great great service. We sat outside which was charming Get there early before the place fills in

The Kings Head is what every tourist wants in an Irish pub and restaurant. Staff are courteous and helpful and the atmosphere is authentic. We met some cousins from Ireland here and of course the Guinness was flowing and 1 Carlsberg. Isn't that they way. Great reviews by members who ate the burgers and beef stew and muscles. They could have thrown in some bread instead of chips since they seemed out of place. ( even in Ireland) The fish and chips came within the 3 star range which wasn't a let down since there are great fish and chip specialist within a short walk. It is also difficult to rate pizza in NYC type situation worst is better than most. Our experience with the service, food and music was just grand!

Great place for a touch of Irish food and seafood. Traditional Irish pub with great food and ambiance. The service was exceptional and the food was great.

Good food. Appreciated the heart of Lauren who served me Jameson Black Label, Guinness, half dozen oysters and fish & chips! Cheers.

As a tourist from California, we loved this Pub! The live music was great and the service was super friendly. We ordered two Guinness drinks and had a fun time!

Old, cozy pub in the middle of it all. Came here based on a couple recommendations. We ended up sitting in the newer/renovated section on the right. Would have preferred the older more authentic section. But the food was very good. Scallops, creamy soup, steak included. Galway Girl was a delicious cocktail. Friendly, attentive staff.

Ambiance and service were great, the drinks and food were just okay. The spice on my Dahl was off and our Beef stew was not very flavorful, didn't have much meat and was denser from a thickening agent.

You can beat the history of this 800 year old building. Grab a brochure to read all about about the building and just behind the name when you enter. Waitstaff will escort you to a seat in an area of your choosingStarted meal with a pint and a Connemara pony. While I did enjoy it, it could have used something to balance the tartness. The Rib eye steak and fish were delicious!

Stopped here for a bite to eat on our bus trip from Dublin. We had a limited amount of time in Galway and the staff was super helpful in getting us in and closed out so we could make it back to our bus in time. I had the burger which was yummy but wish I had the muscles like my husband chose. They were so good. Thanks so much for a good time!

The cutest place you can stop by in downtown Galway. They have live music and the Guinness beer is tasty. The staff is nice with lots of tables you can sit at. At the end of the night you can easily catch a cab ride home.

My fiancé and I came here after visiting the Cliffs of Moher! Galway is a beautiful place and The Kings Head was such a cool spot! We sat outside and enjoyed the street life, but their indoor seating was very nice as well. We both had the Beef & Guinness Stew, it was so good! It is their most popular dish for a reason! Of course we had a pint of Guinness with it. The service was impeccable too. No matter where you are in Ireland, it would definitely be worth it to make your way to The Kings Head! 10/10

What I liked: - They are a large place, so they had capacity for groups of 5+ when others did not. - very quick service once seated. What's to improve? - food and drink are pricey for the area, and the food menu is modest.

A nice cozy spot that we used to get out of the rain. Service was delightful. So very helpful. Food was delicious. Highly recommend the Guinness and Beef stew or the muscles (which was a hefty serving).

I was told this was some of the best seafood in Galway and I wasn't lied too. Food was great, service was great. Very comfy cozy atmosphere that you don't often find in the states. I'm a fan.

Such a fun pub for music on a Sunday night. Our tour guide recommended it to us. It definitely had a lot of tourists, but the music was awesome and drinks were reasonably priced. The servers were friendly.

Waited a while for anyone to acknowledge and seat us. Once seated the service was very good. The absolute best seafood chowder I've had anywhere! Fantastic cocktail as well.

The food was very good so I want to say that right away. It's the service that was terrible. They seated us at one table and then moved us within 5 minutes to accommodate another group. We then waited 15 minutes before the server stopped by our table. Order was then taken for food and drink. Food came fast and was tasty as I said before. The server who brought the food was a different person and barely got the plates out of her hands before she turned away and left. She didn't ask if we were good or needed anything else. And of course we did, because we had no salt/pepper or condiments (vinegar, ketchup) for our chips. And we would have ordered another drink if anyone had bothered to ask. About halfway through eating my husband was able to flag down a different server and asked for ketchup. She said of course but it never came. We finished our meal (without ketchup or a second drink) and finally our original server came by to clear our plates and see if we wanted anything else. We just asked for the check which didn't come for another 15 minutes. And then she had the gall to ask for a tip! One observation: having multiple servers for one table eliminates any accountability for the guest experience. Do better.

Must have hit a bad day. Service invisible but food wonderful. Place empty. Staff on cell phones

The bar part was great. We had a pint and looked around and headed up to the bistro for a bite to eat. The bistro is .... well, how do I say, not great. The food is way over priced & not very good. The ambiance is great which is why I gave a three star, the wait staff was okay. My recommendation is to get the pint at the bar and head elsewhere to eat.

Food sloppy and without any soul. It's more like seasoning also missed mash, souce and protein. Highly recommend come for kind staff, great atmosphere and horrible meal.

By far the best meal we had in Ireland . The Kings Head is one of the oldest pubs in Galway. We ordered the muscles with chips and mushy peas . The portion was huge . The broth was so good and the muscles were very meaty . We even shared a little with our neighbors at the table and we still could not finish all them . YUM!! I highly recommend .

The executioner old fashioned was absolutely amazing. Their house beer was also super tasty. Highly recommend!

The waiter forgot one item and got one completely wrong which caused us to wait for the to prepare it but all-in-all the food was good. I had the Steak & Guinness Stew. It was a great portion and delicious. My wife had the Sea Scallops, she loved it. My daughter had the Lobster and Chips. There were roe sacks attached which was a new one on us. She enjoyed it nonetheless. The Chips were perfection.

You can never go wrong with a bowl of seafood chowder when in Galway! The servings are filling and loaded with thick chunks of salmon and potatoes. It's the perfect meal for a rainy day. Even though I loved their signature cocktail menu, I kept it simple with a yummy bailey's coffee to finish off my meal.

This restaurant was recommended to us for the best fish and chips in Gallway. We walked in, and were immediately served. Delicious cocktail and hot whiskey that hit the spot. I got the pork rib appetizer that was very tasty. Mr B gave his fish and chips a solid "B." We liked the ambiance, and the service was excellent.