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Kirwan's Lane Restaurant

A stylish modern restaurant in common ownership with O’Grady’s of Barna (see entry), Kirwan’s Lane is a little oasis just off one of Galway’s main shopping thoroughfares - on a fine day you can sit outside, and take time to breathe in the salt air away from the bustle of the city.

Indoors, the airy two-storey restaurant is presented stylishly, with Georgia O’Keeffe-influenced oil paintings on white walls and quiet jazz hanging in the air.

This Galway restaurants smartly appointed tables have their white damask covered with paper tablecloths at lunchtime, when specials may include seafood risotto and fried fillets of plaice, or salads and other lighter dishes. Or you can choose from a well-judged à la carte that is not over-extensive, but takes on board the tastes of vegetarians and meat-eaters as well as having a strong showing of fish and shellfish.

Outstanding breads set the tone for the smart cooking that is to come: a crispy julienne of ox tongue & pancetta, partnered with an orange & fennel cream to start perhaps, or flash fried spicy prawns & bok choi – maybe followed by honey glazed roast half duck with golden fried polenta and fresh figs.

Finish with a tempting pudding (fresh raspberry meringue roulade, with mango coulis perhaps?) and really good coffee.

With good cooking backed up by a relaxed ambience, attentive service, and an interesting wine list with well-chosen house wines, this is a pleasant place to eat.

Seats 90 (private room 60, outdoor seating 20); children welcome; air conditioning. L& D daily: L12.30-2.30, D 6-10. Set D about €42.50, also á la carte. House wine €19.50. No parking (multi-storey carpark nearby). Closed 24-29 Dec. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Just off Cross Street and Quay Street.