Galway has an abundance of coffee shops, but only a handful of them stay open til late. There’s something special about them — they’re slower, quieter, more thoughtful. Though not a traditionally Irish idea, they are a very important part of our city. These are three of the best.
To start with, we have Caffe Nero. A hotspot for students who want to fuel a last-minute essay with enough caffeine to kill a small horse, you can grab a hot drink and relax upstairs by the window overlooking Eyre Square until late evening. Make sure to bring your laptop or a good book and you can’t go wrong. A word to the wise, though: the coffee is good, but far from cheap.
For something a little more unorthodox, take a trip to the West End and settle into a Galwegian institution: the Secret Garden. Inside, you’ll have your choice of about three-dozen teas and all the usual coffees. Get yourself a pastry and sit on a cushion on the ground. If the weather picks up, head out back to the garden itself, where you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d left the city behind. If you’re lucky, you may even have a chance encounter with West, the resident (and slightly overweight) cat. Make sure to rub his ears, and your visit is complete.
The third and closest to my heart is Java’s Creperie of Abbeygate Street Upper. This is the real thing: shadowy corners, wallpaper, a rickety stairs, and the best crepes this side of the Shannon — possibly even this side of the Garonne. Head straight for the first floor and make yourself comfortable on the couch or in a corner, with a friend or without one. Have food or just a drink. Stay until closing, at 11pm, but don’t leave before you’ve had a glass, maybe two, of their beautiful French cider. Leave a tip and come back the following week. You’ll most likely see me there.
