Cava Bodega, Spanish restaurant in Galway, Ireland
Cava Bodega is a Spanish restaurant on Middle Street in Galway, a short walk from Eyre Square. It occupies a two-floor building with seating for around 60 people, serving tapas alongside a drinks list focused on Spanish wines, sherries, and cavas.
The restaurant was opened in 2008 by JP McMahon and Drigín Gaffey, who wanted to bring Spanish food to Galway in a relaxed setting. It grew out of an earlier venue called Cava Restaurant, carrying the same spirit into a more informal format.
The word "bodega" means cellar or wine store in Spanish, which reflects the restaurant's focus on wine and shared plates. Dishes are passed around the table rather than ordered individually, which mirrors the way people eat in Spain.
The restaurant is on Middle Street, across from Charlie Byrne's bookshop, which makes it easy to spot when exploring the city center. Booking ahead is a good idea, especially on weekends when it opens earlier in the afternoon.
One of the founders, JP McMahon, also runs Aniar, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Galway. That background explains why the kitchen here puts so much care into sourcing fish, meat, and vegetables from local Irish producers, even in a casual tapas setting.
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