La Collina Restaurant

01 The Arrival

Feels like a little Italian town restaurant rather than one on a busy Salthill road — cosy, colourful and unapologetically homely rather than trying to be ultra-modern.

02 The Food

Bruschetta to start, then homemade pasta and pizza, with dessert shared at the end — the pasta was the standout, properly homemade rather than out of a packet, and the pizza was crispy-edged and generously topped.

03 The Experience

Warm, personal service that makes it clear staff genuinely care whether you're enjoying yourself.

04 Was It Worth It?

Excellent — generous portions of properly prepared food without the prices some city-centre Italians charge.

05 The Verdict

A safe bet for comforting, authentic Italian food rather than a trendy reinterpretation — book ahead, as it's small and popular.

Location — 169 Upper Salthill Road, Galway, H91 F443, Ireland