Including a very exciting opening for the Shopping Centre
09:07, 10 Dec 2025Updated 09:53, 10 Dec 2025
Smashbird’s new digs are every bit as distinctive as their iconic Dominick Street(Image: Smashbird – Instagram)
Galway has seen many novel new businesses open in 2025, only adding to the vibrancy of the city and offering more from locals and visitors alike.
However, the last few weeks have seen a flurry of particularly exciting businesses opening their doors, including convenience stores, local food legends and international eateries.
Here are five businesses that opened their doors in the last fortnight or so.
Smashbird, Cross Street
Smashbird bid farewell to their Dominick Street location with a bang in November, offering €2 burgers. Despite anticipating a crowd, owners Fraser and Orla were taken aback by the ensuing frenzy, selling a staggering 400 burgers in just 90 minutes.
The brand then celebrated the grand opening of their stunning new Cross Street outlet, located at the heart of the city’s casual dining scene, with a massive party at the end of November.
Smashbird’s new digs are every bit as distinctive as their iconic Dominick Street(Image: Smashbird – Instagram)
The new venue continues to offer all the favourites that made the Dominick Street branch iconic, including the vibrant pink livery and their range of sauces.
Branch and Caffe, Cross Street
Branch and Caffe, a family-run independent coffee shop in Galway city, welcomed its first customers on 5 December 2025.
Situated on Cross Street, the location is fondly remembered as the original home of The Pie Man and more recently, the 18CTea Bubble Teashop. Following a refurbishment, the cosy spot now boasts three indoor tables and serves a variety of coffee options made with Puro organic beans.
Branch and Caffe on Cross Street
In addition to their coffee offerings, they also serve a selection of hot chocolates including white and mint, and Dubai, black, matcha and herbal teas. Their food menu features a small assortment of sandwiches/wraps and an array of interesting cakes/pastries, always ensuring at least one gluten-free option is available.
Mettle and Bloom, Corbett Court Shopping Centre
Mettle & Bloom unveiled their first standalone brick-and-mortar jewellery store as a pop-up Christmas shop in Galway in the first week of December 2025. The Irish brand, based in Galway, has set up shop on the 1st floor of the Corbett Court shopping centre, next to ‘Name It’.
The unit, previously occupied by GameIT, has undergone a complete transformation into a charming retail store that exudes the aura of a long-term establishment.
Mettle and Bloom in Corbett Court(Image: Mettle and Bloom)
Their product range includes necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, sterling silver pieces, jewellery sets and necklaces accompanied by story cards. Particularly popular is their water-resistant Resistance Range, which offers durable, low-maintenance, long-lasting jewellery pieces.
Tesco Express, Salthill
The supermarket giant has unveiled a new store in Salthill, nestled within the Bailey Park development and just a stone’s throw from the renowned Salthill promenade. This addition brings twelve new jobs to the local community.
Pictured cutting the ribbon at the official opening of the new Tesco store in Salthill with Tesco colleagues were (back row) Tesco Area Manager Andrew Ahern and (front row l-r) Stylist Mandy Maher; Councillor Clodagh Higgins; Deputy Manager Cansu Tuncel; Store Manager Seán Cleary; Scoil Einde Primary School Principal Neasa McDonagh, and Councillor Dónal Lyons(Image: Andrew Downes, xposure)
Tesco now boasts 14 stores scattered across County Galway, providing employment for over 800 locals. The locations span Galway City Shopping Centre, Fr Griffin Road, Doughiska, Oughterard, Ballybane, Indreabhán, Tuam, Knocknacarra, Athenry, Headford, Ballinfoyle, Ballinasloe, Oranmore, and the freshly inaugurated Salthill outlet.
Subway, Salthill
Subway has also made its mark on Salthill village, opening a new branch in the final week of November, 2025. The outlet offers Subway’s signature vast array of fresh sandwich choices, not forgetting their famed cookies.
The new branch occupies the space that once housed Roberta’s fish and chips, nestled between da Roberta’s Ristorante & Pizzeria and Davitt Photo Centre, and situated beneath Osaka Salthill.
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