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Hours
Sun
10:00 - 22:00
Mon
12:00 - 22:00
Tue
12:00 - 22:00
Wed
12:00 - 22:00
Thu
12:00 - 22:00
Fri
12:00 - 22:30
Sat
12:00 - 22:30
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
€6.00 – €29.00
CUISINES
Irish, International, European
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
meals, features
Can a vegan person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
Gemelle's Restauarant is a family run restauarant situated on Quay Street, in the heart of Galway's Latin Quarter. Serving food 7 days a week, both lunch and dinner, and brunch on Sundays - Gemelle's restaurant is a must. Serving a mix of European styled cuisines Restaurant Gemelle's opens daily serving local food at great affordable prices with daily changing specials. Paulie Donnellan, the owner and head chef of Gemelles is a local Galway businessman who opened his first restaurant in Middle Street. To celebrate the birth of his twin daughters Paulie moved to Quay Street in 1998 and renamed the restaurant Gemelles – Italian for twins. Born and reared in Galway, Paulie has seen many changes in the city, however, community spirit has always loomed large in his business ethics. Paulie has vowed to support small local businesses in the food and drink industry.
PRICE RANGE
€6.00 – €29.00
CUISINES
Irish, International, European
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.0
632 reviews
Excellent
331
Very good
167
Average
50
Poor
43
Terrible
41
Eanna C
2 contributions
Oct 2022 • none
Mussels x 2, Bruschetta & Black pudding bon bons for starters. All were tasty. Mussels served in an open wide bowl so they just cooled far too quickly. The pot lids were delivered for the shells so the bowl was just for presentation. Both of us commented that they were going cold as soon as they hit the table. Should have served in individual pots and lifted the lid at the table
Veg Curry, Seafood Pasta, Duck breast & Beef burger for mains. Veg curry was very mild but tasty. Seafood pasta was nice and well presented. Pasta al dente. Burger was a good size and tasty. I had the duck breast. At 26euro the portion was absolutely tiny ,(maybe the size of 1.5/2 chicken tenders for scale). It was cooked exactly as i ordered it in fairness. The cointreau sauce with the duck was fantastic. By far the highlight of the meal. Just wish i had enough duck to go with it.
Wine, Beer & dessert were all good and well priced. Server was nice and friendly.
Written 27 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emwhitnall
Sydney534 contributions
Dec 2023 • family
The soup of the day was fresh and delicious, and the overall experience was nice. I was a little confused by the decor as the wall and menu had imagery of cows with the different meat cuts overlayed, which gave the impression it was a steak restaurant but there was only one steak on the menu. It was a very good steak regardless, served on a lava stone which was kinda cool.
Written 9 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buskers
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
We visited Gemelles for a couples dinner . I was struck by the beautiful decor outside . On arrival , we were greeted by a very friendly waitress and shown to our table , a beautiful window seat looking out onto Quay street . The decor is so inviting and seating was extremely comfortable , a beautiful candle lit atmosphere inside . For starters we had the patata bravas , really delicious, will be having these again ! The soup was so tasty , accompanied by wholesome homemade brown bread . For our mains we had the fish and chips and the steak , both cooked to perfection and presented beautifully . The best steak in town ! We shared a dessert and each course was 10/10 . Would highly recommend a visit if in Galway . Excellent staff and service , we will be back !
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niall H
Galway15 contributions
Aug 2023 • friends
Friends booked us in for a table of 5 at 8pm, we 3 duly arrive 4 minutes early only to be told by the owner rudely that we were early and would have to wait outside, luckily a very nice waiter interrupted and told us our table was ready upstairs. We made our way, the décor was lovely as is outside, and we were seated with no offer of a drink we sat for 10 minutes. The owner approached the table and apologised which I thought was at least a good step on their part. 15 minutes after being seated we asked if we could get a drink and the waiter prompted that he would be with us shortly. We saw our friends arrive outside. We waited and then waited some more for a further 10 minutes when I managed to grab a waiter again and tell him that we saw our friends arrive 10 minutes ago and they must have been seated downstairs by mistake. Moments later they arrived up the stairs only to tell us that the owner told them that they could not be seated and they had to wait outside!! They were furious and rightly so. We ordered our drinks and got lovely warm glasses with the ice swimming in the melted water so they got sent back. One of the glasses that arrived had a film of chemically slick on the top of the liquid when poured, sent back.
The food pricing was obscene and the quality was very poor. For starters we had a goats cheese parcel which was edible, mussels were very poor in both quality and taste(worst we have had in Galway), the potato bravas were barely cooked and not tasty oh and 9 euro for essentially a potato and no taste. For mains we ordered 4 burgers as we were unimpressed so far and didn't feel we would get any value in ordering the 30/40 euro fillet steak so opted for the 20 euro burger (most expensive burger I have ever ordered in a restaurant) . I was told that I couldn’t have my burger medium as it was against the law. Their “rib eye” burger was tasteless and the chips with soggy not crispy at all. One of the Burgers was breaking the law as it was very medium... Unfortunately it was served to my friend and not me. We asked for some ketchup and that cheapest ketchup that you would only get in really bad chippers came forth orange in colour. The ONLY plus was that the fish and chips were good except for the degraded salad leaves, I suspect it came from McDonaghs across the road! I will also say that our waiters were very nice and polite, I really pity the waiters having to deliver that food at that price and have the owner setting a very bad atmosphere from the moment you walk in the door, if your allowed in at all! I would guess they don’t make much in tips and guessing by the owner, lets just say she doesnt look like a generous boss...
You would think from the outside that it is going to be a fantastic restaurant bu this “Restaurant” is a complete TOURIST TRAP. The owner is hostile at a minimum, the food quality is very low, the price is actually just robbery designed to extract as much money as possible in one sitting because I guarantee you that if you go you will never return!
Written 19 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul Donnellan
Thank you for your review it’s important for us to hear feedback . On this occasion I as the owner would like to give our side of the events on Saturday night . We were extremely busy that evening and when you approached we didn’t have a table ready due to the previous guests leaving later . We were simply asking you to wait so we could serve you on time and give you our full attention . The waiter in question actually seated you too early a genuine mistake . Your friends would not go to the table as they decided to smoke outside at a table that was for other guests and were rude to me . Yes the drinks were returned and replaced and we apologise . We take serious offence to the remarks about our food . Our salad is from a reputable supplier from the burren . All our fish and meat is sourced locally . Our prices are in line with every other restaurant on Quay St . I passed your table several times and not once did you complain about the food which we would have been happy to replace . We want every person to enjoy their meal and have a good experience . What I actually take most offence is this that my staff don’t get good tips they get excellent tips and every penny Is given to them . I’m known for my outgoing personality and friendly nature I’m never hostile toward s customers or staff . After 25 years in business we are defintely SIR not A Tourist TRAP !!! Kindest regards Audrey
Written 21 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
businessals07
Oswestry29 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
I booked an outside table on the afternoon of the 24-7-2023 for my daughter and I to dine at 8pm. No tables were available outside when we arrived. we were told 10minutes, then after 15 minutes the manager on the night explained that the waiter shouldn't have taken the booking, as they never booked outside tables. We ended up waiting an hour to be seated. We were offered free wine as a compensation, so we ordered a bottle of prosecco. The muscles that arrived were small and tasteless and the apple crumbles were cold.
When it came to paying the bill, my daughter noticed that no deduction had been made for the complimentary wine. She was told that it was just two glasses of wine thay were offered. She pointed out that this had not been explained when the offer was made, or when the processo was served. She was repeatedly told, " it didn’t matter, it didn't matter, " and pressurised to pay. She attempted to suggest that if he wasn't going to honour the complimentary drinks, then maybe he could discount the deserts, the lady behind the bar said, “No, we only offer two glasses of wine, that’s it but if you want them now, you can have them! ” Pretty shocking customer service. We paid the bill and left with a very bad taste in our mouths, the evening ruined by poor management, untrained staff, and poor-quality food
Written 31 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geraldine H
Dublin11 contributions
Jun 2023 • friends
Cannot believe this place is still in business, don’t call Tapas served on Indian Nan bread, tapas. Servers need personality training. Over priced and not worth it.
Written 27 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronnie Carroll
3 contributions
Jul 2022 • couples
Lived in Galway most my life 1st visit tonight, never again. Ordered starters no problem very nice in fact. Girlfriend ordered the duck again no issues. I on the other hand ordered steak and I like mine rare but there was an option to come out on an iron plate to "cook to your liking". It came out looked great only problem is you can't take it off the iron plate as there was nowhere to put the steak. I asked for a plate and by the time I received it the steak was medium well. I complained to the very nice waiting staff but there was no offer to compensate me except to offer me a drink however I asked for the steak to be taken off the bill or at the least be reduced. Turns out the chef is the owner and the staff where getting the answers from him. When the bill arrived it came with the steak priced in full at €30 and the drink taken off. I spoke to the waiter again after I had paid in full and said that I was extremely disappointed that the steak was priced in full even though I sent 2/3 of it back he went back to the owner/chef and said he was not willing to compromise. I left never to return due to an incompetent owner. Avoid.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mannion_marie
7 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
Nice setting however everything was average. Fillet steak €35 and extra €5/€6 for the chips or potatoes to accompany the steak. Wine is served from a tap, even the bottle is a plastic bottle which is filled from a tap, that was our biggest issue. Unfortunately won’t be returning.
Written 28 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mossy W
Dublin6 contributions
Apr 2022 • family
Me and my family of four went on a night out to gemelle’s we enjoyed it thoroughly. When we walked in the door we were greeted and shown to our tables and nearly immediately asked if food or drink was needed. They came immediately with water to our table. The food was served after about ten minutes the prawns were terrific they were cooked perfectly and served with a lovely portion of breadcrumbs covering them. For my main course I had the steak on the stone it was really really extravagant it was brought out on a piping hot stone where we cooked it to our liking. If your looking for a good night out I would suggest. I must give a shoutout to my two waitresses Sarah and Kate they were serving us and so kind all night I will be dining again.
Written 3 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas
5 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
Myself and my girlfriend were looking forward to a lovely evening in this establishment. The menu looked great, the ambience was lovely.
Starters were nice: fish taco and black pudding bon Bons with apple and manchego (although we couldn’t taste the latter ingredient).
Burgers weren’t great.
Main issues:
1. Room was quite cold, my girlfriend had to put on her jacket
2. No cutlery provided and had to wait quite a while before it was
3. We were asked if we would like to see the dessert menu - we said yes. We waited 15 minutes at least and we were never given a menu. We tried to grab one of the several servers attention but were ignored. They seemed more interested in getting out early on a Saturday rather than serve their customers.
To make matters worse when we gave up waiting and I asked for the bill it came straight away (unlike our dessert menu)…. And first question from the service Staff was would you like to add a tip……..
Ultimately VERY disappointing experience and soured what was a nice evening for us. A pity
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glenn P
34 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
Called in on Monday evening and was warmly welcomed and seated next to the fire, which was a pleasant relief from the cold weather outside. Had black pudding bon bons, fish tacos, dirty fries and calamari. All cooked great. Only downside was the dessert that was a bit stale and very sugary. But this was removed off the bill without prompting. Will definitely return
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JanetSmith95
Nantwich246 contributions
Oct 2022 • none
Ate here on our last night in Galway. Absolutely beautiful food. They only had mussels on the menu as a starter, I asked if I could have a main course of them, was told there are plenty in the starter and he was right. I had some garlic and thyme roast potatoes with them, one of the best meals I had during our 2 weeks in Ireland.
Written 10 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolineWR
282 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
Nice decor, welcoming & friendly and right on Quay street at the heart of Galway Saturday night action! Very "studenty" staff, not always communicating with each other or the customer - friendly but not in control. Great atmosphere. Limited menu; good crab claws to start, but their gimmicky use of hot stones to deliver already cooked meats (sirloin steak & duck) definitely does not work. In the Alps, menu items on hot stones are delivered to the table RAW, guys! Our steak & duck was already cooked over the level of pinkness we like when it arrived, so we spent a lot of time scraping it off the stone and trying to eat it off a side plate. Would recommend, but steer clear of hot stone dishes unless you enjoy overcooked meats.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denis F
Montreal130 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
Finding good restaurants is never easy when travelling. Of course, I am using Trip Advisor, getting recommendations from the clients I am visiting, but also, I trust my 6th sense.
I was going to another restaurant, that was recommended to me, but it was closed when I arrived. I started to walk around and found this place. For some reason, it was talking to me.
I was well greeted as soon as I entered. I was a bit disappointed when I was told that what I had in mind was not available. It is sadly a new reality with the pandemic. I almost walked out, but again; something was telling me to stay. I saw some duck on the menu and decided to go with that. What a GREAT idea!!
I am allergic to fish and seafood and had asked to replace the fries by something else as I was afraid of cross contamination (fries are often fried in the same oil as fish), the waitress took note of it, and came back from the kitchen telling me it was fried in a different oil. Those details are very important, and appreciated, when you have allergies.
My duck arrived on the stone; it was amazing. I completed my meal with an apple crumble and an espresso, they were excellent also.
Great food, great service, definitively a place to go.
I will be back in Ireland in August, on holiday this time. I will have dinner there for sure when I will stop in Galway.
Written 28 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill M
Dublin9 contributions
Sept 2022 • none
My boyfriend and I visited Galway on a city break from Dublin. We spent 3 nights, 4 days in Galway City and our dinner in Gemelles was 10/10 and our favourite meal by far. We did not have a reservation and were looked after straight away despite the restaurant being so busy. The lady who greeted us (possibly a manager or owner) was so warm and welcoming. Our server had excellent wine knowledge and looked after us so well. The food and wine was excellent. My boyfriend's steak was one of the best he had ever had. 5 star service and would highly recommend.
Written 6 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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