The Universal in Galway

Finally a bar in Galway that serves neck oil IPA!

4 of us shared a few mains at the counter in here. Superb food & service. Great wines and cocktails. They recently celebrated their 10th birthday and hopefully it will be here for another 10 years.

I noticed this place had a high rating so I decided to book for me and my four friends. I had high hopes because the reviews had mentioned how tasty the food was, while this was true the portion size was tiny. I had the monk fish for €37 not including a side and it was the size of two fish fingers. The menu is very limited. There are only two choices of sides, baby potatoes and salad so only really one. I had the potatoes which were nice but paying €42 for side and a main I was very disappointed. I ended up getting a large bag of chips from Giovannis two hours later. The place was busy and the outdoor seating really added a great atmosphere to it. I wont be back but it's better to go just for drinks.

We visited The Universal for dinner during the Bank Holiday weekend in Galway after reading so many great reviews. Looking at the menu beforehand, I wasn't entirely convinced—it wasn't the sort of menu we'd normally choose on a random Tuesday. I'm very glad we ignored our instincts! We started with a couple of cocktails, which were a great way to kick off the evening. They were beautifully made, well balanced, and set the tone for what turned out to be a fantastic meal. The real stars of the evening were the starters. We had the Iona Farm Baby Beets and the Organic Spinach Salad. On paper they sound almost too simple, but whoever is in that kitchen clearly knows how to work magic. The combinations of flavours, textures and dressings turned humble vegetables into dishes that had us wondering why salads at home never taste remotely like this. For mains, we chose the Roast Kinvara Lamb and the Castletownbere Monkfish. They were both very good—beautifully cooked and full of flavour—but after those spectacular starters they had some very big shoes to fill. It's the culinary equivalent of opening for Beyoncé. The atmosphere was lovely, the service was friendly, and it's easy to see why this place has such a loyal following. If you're in Galway and fancy something a little different from the usual pub fare, The Universal is absolutely worth a visit. Just don't make the mistake we did and underestimate the salads—they might just steal the whole show. And if you enjoy a good cocktail, be sure to try one or two—they're the perfect start to the experience.

Quaint and friendly. Great choice of Vino...

If you are looking for an upscale bar instead of a traditional Irish pub, this is the place. Nice interior vibe, cocktails, and great decor.

Excellent food that all tasted amazing, very attentive service and finished the meal off with a cocktail, highly recommended.

Really good food, a bit expensive but quality is there ! Nice ambiance and decoration.

Best restaurant in Galway, in fact best restaurant in Ireland hands down. Has been consistently brilliant since it opened thanks to Conor the owner. Atmosphere is buzzy and great people watching. I would highly recommend.

Nice bar and unique to Galway. Good craft beer and cocktails on offer.