The Kings Head

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.

Staff are fantastic and the pub is incredibly charming! Definitely one of the best looking “proper pubs” in Galway! Relax and enjoy! Foods pretty good too.

We had dinner at The Kings Head in Galway and ordered Kings Head Ale, a half pint of Guinness, Beef & Guinness Stew, Goat’s Cheese Croquettes, and Pork Ribs. Honestly, the food was just… meh. Nothing terrible, but nothing memorable either, so I wouldn’t recommend it for the restaurant experience. That said, the bar area is a completely different story, the atmosphere is lively, the drinks are great, and it’s exactly the kind of place you want to be for a fun night out in Galway. If you’re visiting, I’d say skip the food and head straight for the pints and the vibes. 🍺

We didn’t eat so I can’t comment there, however the atmosphere, music and bar service was top notch. Saw an amazing band perform who were very engaging with the crowd and incredibly talented. Loads of fun!

Not the first time we have been in the King's head and won't be the last. We were there on a wet bank holiday whilst Galway races was on, the place was busy but the service was still fab. We didn't have a table booking for food, and it was near the end of the evening when a young man working in the bistro managed to find us a table. Wow! The food was delicious and have already tried to replicate it at home. The service was knowledgeable, friendly and prompt. The atmosphere in the pub was lively, which is to be expected. Looking forward to going back. My only slight moan, I did think the starter of smoked salmon and mackerel was slightly overpriced.

The food was tasty. I had a salad and soup both delicious. My husband had the fish and chips. The reason the service wasn't 5 star was they forgot my salad and I had to ask for it twice but when it arrived it was beautiful and delicious.

Great food and service! They provided so much food we couldn't eat in one seating! Food was seasoned very well. Only complaint was not being able to remove any liquor in a cocktail.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!!!!

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fun pub felt safe and great service for solo travelers! Went for live music and sat at the bar

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.

The Kings Head is a great Galway pub. Food was good, but not great. Traditional pub food.

What drew me in was the date of establishment. I know 1649 isn't considered that old, but I wanted to try it anyhow. We were pressed for time so I had to make a quick decision. I'm glad I got to try this place. What we had: - (not picture) beer - Kelly's native Galway Oysters - half dozen freshly shucked oysters on the half shell with shallot & red wine vinegar - Roast breast of "friendly farmer" chicken - free-range chicken breast, fondant potato, homey roasted root vegetables, pancetta & tarragon cream - King Charles I burger - homemade prime Irish angus burger with Kylemore swiss style cheese & Andarl farm suckling pig, tomato, iceberg lettuce, cornichon, homemade red onion relish in an Artisan Brioche bun with homemade chips Food and service was very good. That roast chicken was exceptional and to die for! Try this place out -- you'll be glad you did!

Undercooked scallops. Bad oysters. Poorly cooked steak. Positives - good service and cool location. Don't recommend at all.