Since opening her Home Ground Café in 2006, Caitriona Dolan has had a loyal following in this north-east Galway town and the reason is simple: she has always insisted on providing home-style food cooked from scratch every day.
An atttractive spot with good signage and ample parking beside Heneghans SuperValu, everything is well maintained and there's an area with an awning cordoned off for outdoor tables. Inside, it has recent;ly been refurbished in creams and beige with soft lighting, and it is very comfortable and well ventilated, with two doors allowing plenty of fresh air.
The first thing you notice is how friendly they all are here and the staff know the menus very well. There are lots of regulars and anyone visiting for the first time gets a warm welcome --tlhis place is popular with all ages and for good reason.
In-house baking is a speciality, the coffee is excellent and the menu is modern, offering great versions of favourites like Eggs Benedict, Superfood Salad, or Halloumi and Cherry Tomato sandwich on sourdough with pesto, local organic leaves and balsamic dressing. Millbrook Farm Organics, Jeremiche Sourdough and Corrib Free Range Eggs are just some of the local suppliers featured. Children are well-catered for with half portions of everything available as well as local chicken goujons made from scratch.
The in-house bakes are excellent, as are homely desserts like Eve’s Pudding (just out of the oven if you are lucky) and Blue Moon coffee from Tuam - and special mention must go to the coffee-making, as the machine is properly maintained and the lovely crema layer on top will be perfect...
Home Ground is highly recommended for brunch, when you might have a delicious breakfast bagel with fried egg white which comes with sautéed mushrooms, local bacon and Ballymaloe relish, or the full Irish which is grilled and of excellent quality and with smaller versions available for children.Portions are generous and they ask if you would like more toast/in-house brown bread with your breakfast.
Proper food cooked with love and a lovely atmosphere really does make this café feel like you are on Home Ground. A very useful place to know about when travelling and good value - all round well worth visiting.
