An Gabhar Órga - Vegetarian
Lower Newcastle, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Near the university campus, but from the city centre this is about a 15-20 minute walk. It's beyond worthwhile, though. Feast on daily specials (pastas, Thai dishes, etc), all imaginative, healthy, delicious and cheap. Smaller bites - such as potatoes and sandwiches - are available. Be sure to check out the featured art as well.

Da Tang Noodle House - Chinese
Middle Street, 12-3 (except Sunday) and 5-10 (11 on weekends).
Serves up some of the best damn Chinese food I've ever had. If it isn't a Galway institution, then Galway should bloody well hurry up and make it one, the fact that it's Chinese instead of Irish notwithstanding. Takeaway and delivery available. Dessert is extensive; wine costs only IR£6.50 a bottle, and a pot of green tea is a pound. It's possible to feast at the Da Tang for under a tenner, but if you go all-out expect to spend closer to 15 quid. Don't worry though: it'll be worth it.

Couch Potatas - Potatoes
Upper Abbeygate Street. Small, student friendly, and wizards when it comes to transforming potatoes into good eats. Open 12-9:30 p.m.

Govinda's - Indian vegetarian takeaway
Top of Eyre Square (Mon & Wed) and Saturday Market, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
There aren't many selections, but what Govinda's does, they do divinely. Samosas (75p, big and divine) and kitchri (a IR£2 stew so packed with veggies and pulses that it can even keep my appetite sated all afternoon); also daily specials. Stick around a while and talk to the owners, the Tohaks, or pick up a book on Hinduism to read while you enjoy your lunch (they keep around a few texts, such as the Bhagavad-Gita, for interested souls who want to feed more than their stomachs).

The Kitchen Fayre - Veg, continental
Sun-Wed, 9 a.m.-10 p.m., and Thurs-Sat, 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
A little bit of everything: veg, seafood, pasta, chicken; good food and prices. Student ID gets you 15% discount.

Mama's - Asian
Middle Street. When I first heard of Mama's, I didn't expect an Asian restaurant, but Mama's excels at exceeding expectations. Fare spans all of south and southeast Asia, from India to the Phillippines. Expect to spend IR£10-15, but you'll enjoy every bite.

McDonagh's Fish House - Fish 'n' chips
Quay Street. A Galway institution - as well it should be. The Fish House is open for dinner but is especially good for lunch; a huge piece of battered cod, a large order of chips and a drink should keep you going for the rest of the day - and for about a fiver. In addition to the takeaway, you can also eat in-house.

Scotty's Casual Gourmet - American
Middle Street, Mon-Sat, 12-8 p.m.
A bar and grill specializing in all those classical, trademarks dishes of American cuisine: burgers, sandwiches, chicken dishes, and also good soups, salads and desserts. Expect to spend around a tenner, but the portions are huge, so you're definitely getting your money's worth.

Snack Box - Grease!
Shop and Market streets, every day until 3 a.m.
So much more than just a run-of-the-mill chippie. Cheap, with great specials and tons of variety in the menu, from kebabs to chicken nuggets to fish. You can eat well, knock back a soda and listen your arteries harden, while your wallet stays as full as your stomach. Great for that late-night fry-up, but also good for daytime meals, and on nice days there's outside seating.

Spike's
High Street (just up from Cross Street), Mon-Sat, 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 6-9:30 p.m.
I'd detail the fare, but it would take too long, because Spike's does everything from curry to crabcakes - and they do it all well. A good sit-down restaurant with nice staff and good decor, Spike's is a great place to treat yourself or have a special occasion that will set you back only IR£10-15.

Questions?
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