I would come back here for the waitress/bartender alone, but the food was great as were the happy hour specials. We started with the fried pickles and meatballs from the HH menu and then ordered the fish and chips and shepherds pie mac and cheese. I'd order all of it again and again. The place itself reminded me of the bars I went to in Ireland- they have plenty of seating too. Update: Our server was brunette with bangs, I can't remember her name. Hope that helps! read more

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub - Irish Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

We went with out of town guests but didn't realize it was a very busy Saturday in Annapolis. That didn't detract from the experience at all. We tried a sample of Irish specialties chased by a few Guinness. The service was a little slow, but we didn't care. Galway Bay has been recognized as one of the best, authentic Irish pubs in the US and doesn't disappoint. Next time we will go when they have a local musician jam session! read more

What a lovely Irish pub tucked in old town Annapolis within quick walking distance of the Annapolis State House. The bar was vibrant and lively on a Friday evening around 8. The pub is split into two sections; the restaurant with sit down tables in the right room and bar area with high tops on the left. The food and drink were great. We each enjoyed a pub burger which was seasoned to perfection - one of the best quick bar burgers I 've had in a while! We also enjoyed some rail whiskeys for $6 and the black whiskey mule cocktail for $14. Everything was very tasty - would easily get the burger and rail whiskeys again. The bartenders and other patrons at the bar were very friendly - had some nice bar chatter while enjoying our meals. The barstaff was quick and attentive too; got to love it when the staff anticipates your next need. Easy 5 star experience and looking forward to returning. read more

We had a great night! Wonderful friendly bar staff! The food was delicious! I highly recommend!!

This place has deteriorated over the last decade and is now coasting on the reputation it earned back when Fintan Galway provided actual adult supervision. Today, the bartenders appear to have seized control of the building and are running it like a failed island republic. During my visit, the bartender was so offended by the tip he received for providing virtually no service that he told us not to come back. Apparently, this is not an exclusive honor--I heard him deliver the same farewell to other customers over the past month. Business must be spectacular, because management seems confident it can survive with rude bartenders, indifferent service, and a customer-retention strategy built around banishment. At this point, the place is either a prime takeover target for Atlas, the newest leveraged-buyout firm in town, or an ideal candidate for Bar Rescue. Guy Fieri should stay away; there is nothing here worth taking to Flavortown. Unless something changes, the customer base may soon consist entirely of St. John's students who wandered in while debating whether hospitality is merely a social construct. read more

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub - Some of the heavily laden sugar food - Irish Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Charming Irish pub in a quaint street of Annapolis. We opted for this place because it's not in a touristy area. But when you walk into the restaurant, they had a good number of guest in there. The portion of the food here is generous. Server was able to answer some questions and give recommendation. They have good selection of beers. read more

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A nice hidden gem in downtown annapolis! Love the ambiance and vibe of this place. Beers and cocktails are great. The food is all nicely sized portions. The fried pickles were spears which was cool-- never had that before! I enjoyed my espresso martinis. All the men loved the guinness beer in an Irish Bar. Recommend! read more

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub - Irish Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Great Irish pub in Annapolis! Love their egg nog! Love coming here at Christmas time the decorations are fantastic!! read more

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Galway Bay was recommended to us by an alumni of the Naval Academy, and I am so glad we went! We ordered the Shepherd's Pie (beef, not lamb), lamb cheesesteak sandwich and fish and chips. All of it was really fantastic! The service was great, and the hosts were so nice. All around awesome place! read more

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub - Shepherd's Pie - Irish Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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Awesome Irish pub in Annapolis. Bangers and mash were delicious. Sat at the bar and our server was excellent. Great decor. A must if you are in Annapolis read more

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub - Bangers and Mash - Irish Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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I had lunch at Galway Bay last week when I was in Annapolis for a meeting. It's cozy and warm - especially on a winter day - and the service is warm, too. I had their Irish Breakfast (served all day), which I loved. Good thing I was hungry, because it's a classically and comically large breakfast (protein on protein on protein). Irish food is so great on a chilly day - stews and pies and all those dishes that are so warming. Between their warming food, their warm service, and their warm atmosphere (no TVs in this pub, Galway Bay is for conversations), it's a great place to head right now while the weather is chilly! read more

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub - Irish Breakfast - Irish Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Great place with good service. Largest whisky collection in MD (they say). Solid food but really nice atmosphere.

Great local pub with tons of character imported straight from Ireland - perfect if you want a burger or cottage pie in an easy going but fun place. Not to mention the most gorgeous plants outside during the summer! read more

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub - Irish Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

When the waitress took our order, not sure if she was trying to impress us by not writing anything down or what, but my order came out wrong. The kids were almost done eating when she came back and I told her about the error. I chose to just call it a wash and not eat here. They then had the nerve to leave the order they messed up on my check and only corrected when I called it out as I don't think I should be paying for a meal they got wrong and no one ate. My kids weren't thrilled with the food either and considering they like McDonald's that's saying a lot. This place used to be good on all fronts. I would go back for drinks but we aren't eating here again. read more

Very accommodating service on a last-minute Friday night reservation before seeing a play. The server took care of us attentively, plus the food was delish. Would have given 5 stars except a couple bites of the calf liver was sinewy and tough, tho otherwise flavorful. We also got the shepherds pie, which was fine; Jameson's steak tips, which was outstanding; and a special--chicken Lorraine, which was flavorful but parts were unexpectedly crisp & chewy at the edges. Everything tasted good, and we got our check quickly. Excellent service. read more

Festive and lively spot to grab a drink and enjoy a meal! I haven't eaten here yet but purely off of drinks it's one of my favorite spots in town during the holidays! read more

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Never got the food. Admittedly had a semi-big party (5) and no reservation but we went at 430pm and we were told wait would be 30-45 minutes, we decided to wait. We waited. And waited. During this time we heard another group (3) come in, hear the wait and decide against it saying "I really need to remember to get a reservation its like this every time I try" and another group who checked in with the hostess (and decided to leave) after having waited 40 minutes and being told it would be another 40. Overhearing this we decided to check in with the hostess too, she hadnt written our names down! (Not sure if this is also what happened to the other group too). We were told it was now a 1.5 hr wait. What she thought we had been standing around (in her view) for for 45 minutes is beyond me. The live music was nice, holiday decor was nice. TLDR: Never got to the food/drinks. If you want to go, make a reservation. Hostess needs job training. read more

Nice roach coffee! Manager was annoyed and did not even apologize. Server did not offer to take the coffee off my bill. Place is only safe for drinks. read more

Try the lamb cheese steak! It was great. Quaint pub. Kind of loud because of the way it's set up, but nice atmosphere. It's right across the way from the state capital, so expect it to be busy if they are in session. read more

A classic Irish bar in Annapolis in the shadow of the Statehouse. It's one of two larger bars on this side of town. Certainly worth visiting if you're nearby. read more

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub - Irish Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Reliably excellent food, atmosphere and service. We've tried just about everything on the menu from cheeseburgers to salmon and Guinness chocolate cake and we've been pleasantly surprised every time. Staff is always wonderful and welcoming. Be sure to patronize this wonderful business. read more

Met up with friends on a snowy midweek evening. Great food and caring staff! Loved the stuffed cabbage rolls ... total comfort food!

Absolutely lovely little pub and restaurant. Spectacular food and great service. Corned beef poppers and mushy peas- amazing. Everything all 6 of us ordered - sensational !!!! read more

Ambience - The usual American-tries-to-Irish, you know what I mean. Not bad necessarily. As someone born and raised in the UK I've been sorely disappointed in most fish and chips in the US, but this one was surprisingly good. Not UK-good, but good by US standards. Now the bad. The French Onion Soup. I'm always a sucker for French Onion soup so I've had more times than I can count. This was as far from real French Onion as you can possibly get. It was lukewarm, should be served piping hot with freshly grated real cheese bubbling atop some crispy baguette slice. No, this was lukewarm broth, onions weren't simmered done enough they were still crispy. Instead of fresh toasted baguette we got fresh out of the bag croutons like you'd find at the grocery store, and of course they were soggy. And as for the "cheese" it too was freshly out of the bag of pre-grated cheese from the store and looked like they had never seen heat. just floating there like sad little worms. Just awful. read more

Great atmosphere and very friendly staff. Potato and leak soup was delicious. Will be back

What a welcoming place. Our host greeted us so warmly. He graciously took us to the bar area to find us seating. Our bartender was pleasant, patient and attentive. She was very busy ust had time for each of her guests. Great drink specials...Smashed peas (first time), highly recommend and potato bites. Next time visiting, we will have dinner. my advice to you, definitely stop here. read more

Atmosphere is very nice, service is adequate, food sounds incredible on the menu but results were mediocre, prices are a bit high but probably in line with Annapolis tourist areas. Overall a nice place but not one I intend to go back to given all the choices in the area. read more

For nearly 25 years, Galway Bay has been serving up traditional Irish fare in Annapolis. One of the more underrated restaurants in Maryland's capital city, when I'm in town and want to take a break from eating crab cakes or other seafood specialties, I like to stop here. There are two distinct sections to Galway Bay when you enter, specifically the bar section to the left, and then the larger general dining room to the right of the building. I usually opt for the bar section, which also has small intimate booths along the wall, since I find this area has a bit more character. The decor is mostly wood and darker color tones, with Irish themed memorabilia on the walls. We opted for two of the classics of Irish cuisine, the bangers and mash and the Shepard's pie. The sausages for the bangers and mash plate were amazing. They are from a local MD purveyor and were cooked through and finished with a nice sear on the skin which gave it a subtle snap when bit into. Mashed potatoes for both dishes were definitely home made and not from powdered box mix. The mashed potato layers on my shepherd's pie had a char on top which provided a crunchy textural contrast. And let me tell you, it was LOADED with plenty of delicious filling consisting of seasoned ground beer, potatoes, peas, carrots, in a savory brown gravy. There is nothing fancy or pretentious about a place like Galway Bay. It's solid hearty food, served in a homey atmosphere, with good service to match. read more

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This was my first time visiting this pub and whew, the COZY VIBES!!! Coming in here on a chilly November day and walking into a warm lit, cozy place, you feel right at home. I suppose that might be the natural beautiful effect of Irish pubs :) They have a unique menus for their Irish whisky, they do Irish whiskey flights! I did not try it because I had to drive, but I'll be back again to try it! I did try a Guineas Draut 0% and it was delicious! We ordered burgers and they were yummmmy. I absolutely appreciate the quick service and the staff are so friendly and warm. Street parking is predominantly available. There are restrooms inside the eatery and plenty of seating options accommodating to 4-6 people or more. read more

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub - Veggie Burger and Pub Burger - Irish Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

We came here after a quick courthouse wedding and enjoyed delicious food, wonderful service, and a cozy, homey atmosphere. Highly recommend Galway Bay for any event or come for an enjoyable meal! read more

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub - Irish Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Fantastic local Irish restaurant. They have put great attention into the details. Small row house restaurant with dark walls and brick facade. They have live Irish music on Sundays with their bar serving a wide variety of whisky and Irish beer. The menu is simple but effective, they really have perfected the items they offer. I have come here multiple times as a local and will continue to come. The lamb cheesesteak was amazing, but surprisingly the tomato whisky soup was to die for! The wait staff and host were very kind! This is a perfect restaurant for a casual date or a group of friends. read more

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Good food, pleasant ambiance. And I had corned beef and cabbage (of course!) was very satisfied. And very full!

Great atmosphere. There was music in the front room, Irish beer flowing like wine, and excellent food on the table. Cod fish and chips, cabbage wraps, and corned beef and cabbage were all very, very tasty. read more

We stopped in at the end of a busy day. We were immediately welcomed by a very friendly host who was very welcoming. It was trivia night and it was halfway over but he gave us the sheet so we could follow along. We asked a question about a whiskey and the bartender came over immediately with two bottles for my husband to taste. The bartender had a lot of knowledge and was very gracious. We had Silkie and I had a hot toddy. A wonderful experience. read more

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This is one of my favorite restaurants in Annapolis. The Wexford Potato cakes are my favorite appetizer. You can't go wrong with their fish and chips. The fish are pipping hot and the batter is crispy and crunchy. My go-to sandwich was the Pub Turkey Bacon Club, but I don't believe it's on the menu anymore. If you like soup, their Irish Whisky and Tomato is delicious. They offer small plates, salads, a variety of sandwiches, burgers, and the typical Irish faire. The service has been great whenever we've stopped in. Just a tip: all to-go orders have to be placed and paid for online. Parking on the street can be a bit tight, but it's worth the hassle! read more

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A favorite while in downtown Annapolis. Legit Irish pub. 2 bars - one whisky bar on right side. Other larger bar with beer etc on the left side (pub side). Super good Black and Tans available. Professional pour. Food is legit Irish. Boxty is a fave. Highest recommendation! read more

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Having visited twice in the past week, this is a composite review. On the first occasion I sat at the bar, chatting with a very amenable barman who guided me through the whiskey flights ahead of a very 'home cooked' style Shepherd's Pie that did the trick. Returning for an impromptu Easter brunch, I surprisingly opted for the all day Irish breakfast, and left feeling I had not missed out on a traditional paschal lunch: the back bacon and the roasted tomatoes were both outstanding and the black and white puddings as expected. The only improvement would be to source some proper Irish bangers rather than the spicy, dense, chipolata kind that were on offer. The brown sauce was an unexpected bonus. The quality of this dish was confirmed by the sheer number of plates that were being served around me. A steady, reliable spot for a pint and a bite. read more

Hello from Annapolis! My heroic hubby and I have just arrived here from Austin for the United States Sailboat Show, and we're BEYOND excited because it was cancelled last year, and we love it so! One of the places here that we've been waxing poetic about since we first came in 2019 is Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub! This pub has such a great vibe, and it just feels so cozy, homey, date-nighty, and legit! On this trip, we started with a much-needed-after-the-travel-day Guinness for him, and a Pinot Noir for me, natch! For our appies, we went with the Cabbage Wraps and Potato Cakes! The wraps were delicious! It was three large cabbage rolls packed with everything that you'd get on a corned beef and cabbage plate atop a bed of bistro sauce, which tasted mustardy and horseradishy, and dang tasty! The potato cakes were SO my jam! They were four dense, blue cheesy, oniony, and just unctuous discs of goodness! They're served with ranch, which may seem weird, but it worked for me! I actually ended up making these my meal! In terms of the main entrees, hubby opted to try both the Corned Beef and Cabbage and the Irish Beef Stew! The Corned Beef and Cabbage was, according to hubby, incredible! It's traditional and belly warming! I found the meat itself a bit too salty, but he found it all perfect! He especially loved the carrots and parsnips and the mashers that accompanied it! The Irish Beef Stew was exactly what you want on a cold night! A hearty bowl of yum with a generous scoop of mashers on top! The carrots were cut chunky, just like I like them! Chris and I were both fans, and we'd def order it again! We also added a side of the smashed peas, and we were shocked and delighted by these! They were minty, creamy, peppery, and buttery, and I could easily dive headfirst into them! I almost did! We finished with the Bread Pudding (not pictured), and this was the least favorite part of our meal! First of all, it was en fuego, like it had just been microwaved for far too long! To be fair to the pub, it was close to closing time on a Wednesday, but it just wasn't great. The sauce was meh. Really, all of it was unfortunately meh! That was okay, though, because we were stuffed to the gills, so we rolled out of there with big, satisfied smiles! All told, we'll absolutely be back during every sailboat show from here on out, and we heartily recommend it! Thanks, Galway Bay Irish Pub and Restaurant! Sláinte! read more

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This is a great authentic irish pub with really good food, attentive service and a lovely atmosphere.

We went there for the ambiance and the happy hour. Staff are friendly and attentive. HH applies throughout the restaurant and not limited to the bar; which we appreciated because the seats on the restaurant side are cushioned. Mac and cheese shepherds pie was just ok. It was very heavy -- really more like a big bowl of cheese! Liver and onions were delicious. Corned beef poppers were crunchy and warm! The bummer of the night was that we were overcharged for our food and drinks. Regular prices were applied to our bill instead of the HH pricing. While we did catch some of those and asked the waitress to correct the bill, she only did it for the rail drinks, and NOT for our food. Bottom line, we might go back sometime, but will definitely CHECK EVERY ITEM ON THE BILL. It's a shame because it was otherwise a nice outing to a restaurant we don't have at home. read more