Eating in Ferrol

What to eat in Ferrol

The gastronomy is very similar to that of other Galician cities. If you want to know what to eat in Ferrol, you have to take into account their flavorful seafood (crabs, scallops, shrimp, mussels…) and fish like rape, robadallo, parrochas, jurelos, all fundamental to Galician cuisine. There are also ‘meigas’, a kind of fish known as ‘gallo’ or ‘rooster’ in the rest of the Peninsula. And, of course, there are barnacles!

In terms of meat, the Galician veal has a very good reputation and having it roasted is a great choice. Also typical is the ‘raxo’, fresh pork loin, cut into cubes (3cm x 3cm), and cooked without artifice in the traditional pan. It’s typically paired with french fries and padrón peppers. You can also have the famous Lacón con grelos, with I.G.P.

Something you cannot miss when eating in Ferrol is the octopus a feira, prepared with paprika and served with cachelos (boiled potatoes). If you are interested in this dish, the nearby town of Mugardos is famous for preparing it better than anywhere else.

For snacking, we recommend the queso de Arzúa-Ulloa or the quesode Tetilla, two kinds of cheese with D.O.P.. There’s also the empanada de bonito, a classic in Ferrol.

To accompany your food in Ferrol, we recommend the Albariño wine, and to finish the meal a shot of the town’s famous coffee liquor or Orujo cream.

Tapas

Holy Week or summer, when they close the streets to traffic so bars can offer their terraces to customers. You’ll find the best places wandering the streets of María, Sol, and Magdalena. From there we recommend the following places:

The restaurant Sidrería O Lagar has a terrace in front of the market where you can enjoy their famed cider or a glass of wine or beer, any of which comes with a tapa. Their tapas are rich and abundant. You can have empanada, queso, raxo, parrochas…

There is also Zahara, in front of the Cantón de Molins park, where they offer you an appetizer of tortilla de patatas when you order a drink. It’s said that they serve the best tortilla de patatas in Ferrol…

On María street, you will find Mesón O Faro, a typical Ferrol tapas bar, although you can also order from their more substantial menu. They give you a tapa with your drink, and it’s guaranteed to be typically Galician and of great quality.

A la carte

If you want to eat cheap and plentiful food in Ferrol, you could try Mesón O Bo Padal. Just 7 minutes from the center of town by car, they have a terrace with beautiful views where they serve typical Galician products like grilled sardines, raxo, tortilla de patatas, fried cuttlefish…

There’s also Mesón O Sexto Pino, in the area of Malata, 6 minutes away by car. From the outside, its far-removed appearance may be deceptive, but on the inside it is the perfect place to enjoy a meal with family in Ferrol. They also have swings for children outside. They serve traditional, high-quality Galician cuisine.

Finally, if you want to enjoy the coastal environment in a beautiful location, go to O Emigrante in Fene. We highly recommend their roast veal.

Eating in Pontedeume

What to eat in Pontedeume

Typical pastries of the Eume region are the tarta de Pontedeume (similar to one made in Santiago with almonds and lot of egg yolk), the melindres and almendrados (soaked in syrup), the prolla (also spelled proia) and the manguito eumés.

Tapas

La Taberna Zas, next to the seafront, serves authentically Galician products: raxo, octopus, clams, parrochas (young sardines)…

It’s said that the best octopus in Pontedeume can be eaten at Pulpería Os Cen Pasos, which is close to the waterfront.

On the other hand, at the confectionary Obradoiro, you can find the distinct specialties of Pontedeume: empanada, costrada, pastelón, orella, filloas, etc…

In general, at the center of the city there are a lot of tapas bars where you can, as the Galicians well know, “tomar un vino” (“drink some wine”). Sit on one of their terraces, enjoy the medieval appearance of Pontedeume and its gastronomy.

A la carte

La Cantina Río Coves is a restaurant with a rustic appearance located in a beautiful stone house. It has a great terrace to enjoy your meal in the fresh air. Very rich are their croquettes, arroz con marisco and salads.

Restaurante la Ría is perfect for eating a parradilla de pescados y mariscos in Pontedeume. There is a large menu with meats and wines, and they also make meals that you can take to-go.

In Nogueirosa, 2 km away, the restaurant Los Molinos has gardens and ample rooms, and is specialized in celebrations and all types of events.

Eating in Santiago de Compostela

What to eat in Santiago de Compostela

If you want to know what to eat in Santiago de Compostela, take a stroll through the Mercado de Abastos, currently the second-most visited place in the city after the cathedral, where you will see its star products: fish, seafood, their famous scallops (a symbol of the traveller), Galician veal with I.G.P, pimientos de Padrón, grelos, and their Queso Tetilla with I.G.P., amongst other things. You can also buy directly from the “paisanas” (agricultural women), who still put up their products for sale in the Plaza.

Tapas

The Camino de Santiago ends in Santiago de Compostela, but another one also begins…The Ruta París-Dakar! What is it? A tradition with strong university routes that’s only apt for brave travelers. It consists in leaving from the Bar O Paris (Rúa dos Bautizados, 11) and going until arriving at Bar Dakar (Rúa do Franco, 13), passing through all the establishments on the street to drink some wine. There are about 20 people who have successfully completed the journey. We encourage to you to at least stop at those bars to have some tapas, since eating Santiago de Compostela will never disappoint you. And, if you’re interested…We’ll see you at el Dakar!

Another place to eat tapas in Santiago de Compostela is O Negreira O Patata, a classic tavern in the Plaza where your drink is accompanied by some patatas guisadas. If you visit the Mercardo de Abastos, have a snack or order from a menu at 2.0 Abastos.

A la carte

There is also Carta Enxebre, which serves traditional Galician cuisine and the option of smaller snacks. They serve dishes like: arzúa and tetilla cheeses with quince, empanada of the Parador’s own cook, Galician soup, octopus a feira…

If you want to try creative Galician-Japanese fusion cuisine, make a reservation at Casa Marcelo, a restaurant with just one table and a view of the kitchen. At the hotel Pazo de Altamira, a 6-minute walk from Plaza del Obradoiro, you can eat market food that competes with more famous tasting menus in the area.

Eating in Noia

What to eat in Noia

Tapas

The old town is a great place to sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere of the street. Tasca Típica offers a relaxed environment for eating in Noia and a varied menu of tapas to beneath the old arches.

Parrillada A Marina, close to City Hall, is a cheap place with good tapas that come free when you order a drink.

Our final recommendation is La Parra, a bar with typical Galician tapas. Their navajas are particularly good.

A la carte

At Elisardo they serve homemade food with meat, seafood, and in-season ingredients. Try their original dessert, and apple empanada.

At the restaurant Asador Tío Manolo, they specialize in Galician grilled meats and also serve fish from the estuary.

El Restaurante Forno is perfect if you want to eat good seafood at an affordable price in Noia. They also have a varied menu: meat, fish, seafood…

Eating in Cedeira

What to eat in Cedeira

For dessert, a brazo de gitano, which is a cake made with different fillings (chocolate, nougat, strawberry, pineapple…). With your coffee you can have an ‘ese’, an artisanal Cedeira cookie with a touch of anise.

Tapas

At the Mesón Muiño Kilowatio, located at Cedeira’s seafront, they serve tapas with marajo, which is in the same family as sharks. They also offer squid that is said to be spectacular.

If you’d prefer to eat some grilled scallops in Cedeira, the Mesón Tía María is your place. If you’re more into meat, they also have chicken raxo with queso de tetilla, a dish typical to the Galician region.

A la carte

At Badulaque, in the bottom floor of Casa del Mar with a view of the estuary, they have their own fish tank. In addition to the option of good shellfish, you can also order fish stew, pastelón (a thin-crusted empanada), and bonita en rollo, amongst other specialties.

El Naútico is a classic, and perhaps the oldest restaurant. They specialize in seafood and have big windows with views of the ocean.

Finally, to eat in Cediera we recommend el Mesón Marieta, a central location where you can taste mussels, cockles, sea barnacles, and octopus. Delicious!

Eating in Betanzos

What to eat in Betanzos

Tapas

A la carte

Eating in Samos

What to eat in Samos

The monks from the monastery are finishing restoring the old distillery and cheese shop and are going to begin to produce their new liquors (Pax Liquor, Café Liquor) and handmade cheese Cebreiro and Tetilla (both with D.O.P.). In addition to the almond cake, they sell macaroons, chocolate (dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate), honey and a wide variety of marmalades in the monastery’s store.

Tapas

A la carte

Eating in A Coruña

What to eat in A Coruña

Tapas

A la carte

Eating in O Cebreiro

The majority of the small pallozas (stone houses with thatched roofs) that make up the village offer services to those traveling the Camino de Santiago. Taking into account how few registered inhabitants there are, the two available restaurants in O Cebreiro are sufficient: Carolo and the one at the hotel O Cebreiro. That’s our recommendation for where to eat in O Cebreiro.

What to eat in O Cebreiro

Tapas

A la carte

Eating in Lugo

What to eat in Lugo

Tapas

Las Cinco Vigas is the perfect place for tapas: with never ending beer and skewers. Everything from the veal to the wine is delicious. You will leave satisfied.

In the bar Via Láctea you will find original tapas at a good price. They are normally very busy, so we suggest going with a lot of time.

In the restaurant Campos, that has won many awards throughout their history, you will also find good tapas, similar to A Nosa Terra

A la carte

If you want to eat Lugo’s specials, in the restaurant Paprica, which is also a bar, the chef Álvaro Villasante offers a creative cuisine that changes with seasonal products. Our travel community highlights the scallop maki as a great choice.

Eating in Verin

What to eat in Verin

Regarding meat, the roasted lamb and goat are typical. Additionally, veal and dishes made with pork, like chorizo, oreja, lomo or lacón con grelos are typical here. You can also eat botelo, made from a pig’s stomach and stuffed with meat.

The restaurant menus offer fish from the river (eel or trout) and game meat in season. Of course, they also serve empanadas with meat, cod, eel etc.

For pastries in Verin you will find its famous custard cake, one of the popular items at its carnival, almond cake and the lenguas de obispo. Don’t forget to order a shot of coffee liquor at the end.

Tapas

If you want to eat octopus in Verin, we recommend Casa de Pulpo, a local place with good reviews located on Avenida de Portugal.

At O Souto Das Candeas, you can try their buckets of beer along with some of their delicious toast.

In the Plaza García Borbón is Tapería Gandeiras with a terrace in the plaza to enjoy great tapas in Verin.

A la carte

The restaurant Zapatillas has been a classic in Verin since 1967. Order the daily special with two first courses, two second courses, dessert, coffee and a drink. In addition to its extensive menu, the roasted veal, lacón trufado and flan de queso Zapatillas are also noteworthy.

Another option to eat in Verin is the restaurant Brasil where you can try dishes like roasted goat or seafood cocktail.

On the outskirts of Verin, the restaurant O Candil serves traditional food and specializes in grilled meats.

Eating in Ribadavia

What to eat in Ribadavia

Tapas

At O Morto, there is a great atmosphere, especially in the mornings, and they serve rich tapas of which the empanadillas are highly recommendable.

Porta da Cerca has a great location next to the castle. It’s perfect for drinking some coffee on the terrace.

On the other hand, it you don’t feel like stopping to eat a meal in Ribadavia, at Tahona de Herminia in the town’s Jewish quarter you can get some Jewish sweets.

A la carte

O Pucheiro serves homemade food and has three separate cod dishes. The restaurant A Quinza, on the road entering Ribadavia, gets good reviews and has an extensive menu. They also offer food to-go. These are the best options for eating in Ribadavia.

El Casal de Armán, 6 km away, has two dining rooms, which are beautiful spaces for celebrations.

11 km away is the restaurant at the hotel Monumento Monsterio de San Clodio, which occupies a beautiful cloister in the old monastery and offers carefully-crafted, traditional Galician cuisine.

Eating in Allariz

What to eat in Allariz

Another culinary pride in Allariz is its pastries. Try the macaroons, doughnuts, almonds, the famous melindres or the tarta real. Discover the secrets to their handmade creation at the Feria del Dulce that is celebrated toward the beginning of September.

The Fiesta de la Empanada that is celebrated in the month of August, in the Campo de Vilanova, has become a regular event since it began in 1971. If you attend the festival you will have the opportunity to sample a series of empanadas, ranging from the most traditional meat, like tuna or cod, to the most innovative, like conger eel, octopus, prawn, squid or sausage.

Don’t forget to sample the local wines which are perfect to accompany dinner in Allariz: Vino Ribeiro, Vino Monterrei and Vino Valdeorras, all with Certificate of Origin.

Tapas

Another recommendation is Café Bar A Fabrica a local restaurant near the Arnoia River that has a good reputation. You can order something traditional like guacamole focaccia, mussels, chestnut bread with Arzúa cheese and homemade marmalade.

A la carte

In Casa Fandiño, they serve traditional Galician cuisine and seasonal game meat. They also host book shows and concerts. It is famous for its handmade desserts.

Portovello, a beloved local restaurant in an old leather factory with a dining room above the Arnoia river, serves traditional food at a good price. The terrace is a hidden jewel that will make eating in Allariz an experience to remember.

Our final recommendation is Pallabarro, a hostel restaurant with an excellent menu. They offer savory fish, crab and grilled vegetables.

Eating in Ourense

What to eat in Ourense

The Miño crosses the city and many restaurants offer fish from the river on their menus: salmon, trout, and lamprey (similar to eel). In terms of meats, in addition to in-season game, you can eat many of the dishes that come from pig slaughter such as androlla, leg of lamb a la orensana, and the famous lacón con grelos (with I.G.P.).

In Ourense, the empanada is reinvented with a great variety of ingredients: eel, octopus, and bonito fish are the most highly demanded.

The most common wine in the province is D.O. Ribeiro, but they also make Monterrei, Ribera Sacra, and Valdeorras wines, all with D.O.

Lovers of dessert that come to eat in Ourense will be able to enjoy the cake known as Bica de Trives as well as the cañas (stuffed tube pastries). In Ourense the chestnuts, with D.O. Castaña de Galicia, are especially good, and are eaten either roasted or candied as marron glacé. Another typical product with I.G.P. is the Honey of Galicia.

It’s always good to finish a meal in Ourense with some Aguardiente de Hierbas (herb brandy) or Orujo de Galicia (pomace brandy), especially if the food has been plentiful.

In Galicia they generally celebrate many gastronomic festivals, and a few of the ones in the Ourense capitol are: Xantar (International Salon of Gastronomic Tourism), the fall and springtime Concursos de Pinchos, and Los Magostos, the day of the the patron saint, San Martín de Tours, in which they originally roasted chestnuts around the fire and currently celebrate in different parts of the city as well as surrounding mountainss.

Tapas

The Bar Orellas is one of the most emblematic bars that has managed to stay true to its origins. There they serve a pincho that honors their name, pig’s ears with paprika (orellas means ‘ears’). You can also eat rich tapas at Portovello, another bar with a very good reputation.

For cheese lovers, Mesón O Queixo is a great option. They serve good sausage that you can eat on their pleasant terrace located in a small square.

Finally, to enjoy some rich croquettes and skewers at lunchtime in Ourense, try the Bar Pérez.

A la carte

At Restaurante Nova, winner of a Michelin star in 2014, chefs Julio Sotomayor and Daniel Guzmán prepare avant-garde cuisine that they call  “from the roots”, and offer the possibility of sitting at a “table-bar”, where the diner sits very close to the chefs as they cook.

At Adega San Cosme, also known as “Casa Sindo”, you’ll find traditional cuisine and in-season game dishes.

Another restaurant you can try in Ourense is the Porta Da Aira, where it’s said that you can find the best sirloin. There’s also Asador do Roa, where they have a firewood oven in which they roast Lechazo Churro de Roa and Cochinillo Segoviano with firewood from Oak and shoots. Highly recommendable.

El Pingallo has a pleasant terrace, space for celebrations and, being in the town’s wine area, is great for some good tapas in Ourense.

Eating in Tui

What to eat in Tui

Tapas

At the Bar Monte Aloia, you’ll be able to eat traditional cuisine and order small portions to share. Situated in the Natural Park, the scenery is idyllic. Dogs are also welcome.

A la carte

Eating in O Carballiño

What to eat in O Carballiño

Tapas

La Tapería Comonacasa is perfect for going as a family since they have a space designated for children to play in. The food is high-quality at a good price.

Since octopus is a star dish in the cuisine of O Carballiño, you could try the Pulpería Fuchela, with highly recommendable grilled octopus and pulpo a feira. They also have Iberian pork and salmon a la piedra. Another place is the restaurant Aurora.

Finally, Pulpería Novo Flamingois a place to enjoy some good octopus and nice tapas.

A la carte

La Cubana is a restaurant with a very good reputation amongst the locals in O Carballiño. We recommend their octopus.

If you want to enjoy good barbecued pork or veal, the restaurant Cornin is known for their version.

The restaurant O Lecer is worth it to go with family and be on the terrace while the children play in the garden. In addition to typical Galician cuisine, they are also known for their pizzas.

Eating in Vigo

What to eat in Vigo

As for tapas, you’ll find empanada, octopus a feira (in the Galician style), and oysters. Don't forget the Queso de Tetilla, with D.O., acclaimed even outside of Galician borders. Wash down all of this with a Rías Baixas wine, like the Albariño, or have a copa of the famous Galician coffee licor.

Galician bread is regarded highly, so take the opportunity to try all of the different types: corn, rye, Cea, barra or bolla, etc… And to finish your visit, leave Vigo as it deserves, with a good queimada (a hot Galician beverage made by burning pomace brandy with lemon and sugar), and recite the conxuro (spell) created in the city in 1967, participating in the famous ritual that is said to scare off spirits and witches.

Tapas

At De Tapa en Cepa, you’ll be able to enjoy not only some excellent tapas with a lot of variety, but also the toasts, with toppings like smoked sardines with pisto and grilled octopus on potato purée.

Cervecería El Pasillo is one of those bars that’s always full, where groups share excellent tapas. It’s a very economical option.

A la carte

Alameda XXL, the restaurant at the Negari Gran Hotel, offers a varied menu in an in an avant-garde atmosphere where you can also go during gastronomic festivals celebrating in-season products. A place with an intimate setting, ideal for going in pairs.

Amongst the many local restaurants, Casa Marco offers good quality at a very reasonable price. If you go in the summer, you have to try the balsamic vinegar ice cream with raspberries.

Eating in Sabucedo

What to eat in Sabucedo

Tapas

A la carte

In Forcarei, 8 km away, you’ll find the restaurant Florida, specialized in grilled meats. Their star dishes are churrasco and grilled croca de ternera. The restaurant is family-run and unpretentious.

Eating in Pontevedra

What to eat in Pontevedra

But this town doesn’t just live off of the ocean, they also enjoy the authentic Galician veal with I.G.P and roasted goat. Also important are the star dishes of the region: empanadas in infinite varieties, the Queso de Tetilla and Pimiento del Herbón, both with D.O.P.; the octopus a feira (a la gallega), and the Lacón con grelos (sausage with greens, both with I.G.P.).

Tapas

Amongst the many local places to get tapas, La Fuga de Blas will not disappoint you. Also located in the old town, it is the perfect place for having some pinchos and later a copa. We recommend the shrimp, prepared in distinct ways depending on the season.

A la carte

At the restaurant Enxebre Casa do Barón (Parador de Pontevedra), they offer traditional and creative Galician cuisine. We recommend their prawn and greens cake.

In San Salvador de Poio (1.7 km away), you can find the restaurant Casa Solla, winner of a Michelin star, which offers a unique space—dining room and living room, with a view of the kitchen—in an old country house. The chef, Pepe Solla, is a cook by family inheritance who prepares simple food. You can choose between two menus, one short and one long. Our community of travelers says it is spectacular.

Eating in Cambados

What to eat in Cambados

In addition to the local specialties, eating in Cambados offers delicious traditional Galician dishes, like the empanada, the lacón con grelos and the Galician octopus. To put the finishing touch on your eating experience, try the wide range of liqueurs produced in the area, among them the Aguardiente de hierbas, the Licor de Hierbas, the classic Licor Café and the mythical Orujo gallego.

Tapas

A la carte

Pandemonium, named in Madrid Fusión as one of the 100 best restaurants serving Spanish cuisine, offers traditional cuisine with a creative touch and has a tapas bar. Their most popular dishes are the habas with octopus and the merluza with spinach.

Inside the Parador de Cambados you can find the Barlovento restaurant, perfect for fish and seafood. The restaurant is very elegant and intimate.

A Posta do Sol, with a lovely terrace overlooking the river, offers great fish and seafood. It also has chef specials made complete with its delicious cheesecake for dessert.