Santiago is the perfect place to discover Galician cuisine, which has a strong emphasis on seafood, among them (but not exclusively!) cod and octopus. Cheap local dishes are easy to find, but there are also more upmarket restaurants in the city. Good local wines are available and include Ribeiro and Albariño. Galician cuisine (cocina gallega) has a reputation for simplicity and excellence, with a strong emphasis on the quality of its raw materials over culinary technique.
The restaurants below have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over €50)
$$$ (€30 to €50)
$$ (€20 to €30)
$ (up to €20)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one and include half a bottle of wine or equivalent (where available).
The restaurants below have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over €50)
$$$ (€30 to €50)
$$ (€20 to €30)
$ (up to €20)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one and include half a bottle of wine or equivalent (where available).
Gastronomic
Toñi Vicente
Toñi Vicente has been receiving rave reviews for her sound, solid food ever since she opened her restaurant here, and worshippers of Galician haute cuisine have made it their culinary temple. In her Michelin-starred establishment (which many argue is the best in town), she uses local ingredients, particularly seafood and vegetables, and does away with extravagant creations in favour of authentic, delicious terroir cuisine.
Avenida Rosalía de Castro 24
Tel: (981) 594 100.
Website: www.tonivicente.com
Price: $$$$
Toñi Vicente has been receiving rave reviews for her sound, solid food ever since she opened her restaurant here, and worshippers of Galician haute cuisine have made it their culinary temple. In her Michelin-starred establishment (which many argue is the best in town), she uses local ingredients, particularly seafood and vegetables, and does away with extravagant creations in favour of authentic, delicious terroir cuisine.
Avenida Rosalía de Castro 24
Tel: (981) 594 100.
Website: www.tonivicente.com
Price: $$$$
Casa Marcelo
Toñi Vicente might be the grande dame of Galician cuisine, but Marcelo Tejedor, the chef and owner of this Michelin-starred restaurant, is the new generation. Eating at Casa Marcelo is an act of faith because there is no à la carte, and the only option is the daily changing tasting menu. Marcelo is the head of Nove, a group of Galician cooks who are trying to renew the Galician gastronomic scene by focusing on the products more than on new fancy techniques.
Rúa Hortas 1
Tel: (981) 558 580.
Website: www.casamarcelo.net
Price: $$$$
Toñi Vicente might be the grande dame of Galician cuisine, but Marcelo Tejedor, the chef and owner of this Michelin-starred restaurant, is the new generation. Eating at Casa Marcelo is an act of faith because there is no à la carte, and the only option is the daily changing tasting menu. Marcelo is the head of Nove, a group of Galician cooks who are trying to renew the Galician gastronomic scene by focusing on the products more than on new fancy techniques.
Rúa Hortas 1
Tel: (981) 558 580.
Website: www.casamarcelo.net
Price: $$$$
Trendy
El Rincón de Gurpegui
Local, seasonal produce including cod, game and roasts, as well as shellfish.
Fray Rosendo Salvado 15
Tel: (981) 598 178.
Price: $$
Local, seasonal produce including cod, game and roasts, as well as shellfish.
Fray Rosendo Salvado 15
Tel: (981) 598 178.
Price: $$
O Café Casino
A cool place to hang out and chill out, in the centre of the old town.
Rúa do Villar 35
Tel: (981) 577 503.
Price: $-$$
A cool place to hang out and chill out, in the centre of the old town.
Rúa do Villar 35
Tel: (981) 577 503.
Price: $-$$
Budget
La Crepe
Situated in La Casa da Conga, this is a cosy restaurant in a century-old building on the Praza da Quintana (next door to the cathedral) with beautiful views of the historical city. Crepes are a speciality here (savoury or sweet), but other dishes are available, including salads, plates of cheese or ham, kebabs, and fish or meat dishes. There is a good value menu of the day.
Praza da Quintana 1 (Entresuelo)
Tel: (981) 577 643.
Website: www.crecotte.com
Price: $-$$
Situated in La Casa da Conga, this is a cosy restaurant in a century-old building on the Praza da Quintana (next door to the cathedral) with beautiful views of the historical city. Crepes are a speciality here (savoury or sweet), but other dishes are available, including salads, plates of cheese or ham, kebabs, and fish or meat dishes. There is a good value menu of the day.
Praza da Quintana 1 (Entresuelo)
Tel: (981) 577 643.
Website: www.crecotte.com
Price: $-$$
O Rei do Bocadillo
This place is literally the 'king of sandwiches', where you can choose from hundreds of sarnies made to order. Eat in or take away. Located near the Aladeda.
Rúa Rosalia de Castro 23
Tel: (981) 590 538.
Website: http://oreidobocadillo.com
Price: $
This place is literally the 'king of sandwiches', where you can choose from hundreds of sarnies made to order. Eat in or take away. Located near the Aladeda.
Rúa Rosalia de Castro 23
Tel: (981) 590 538.
Website: http://oreidobocadillo.com
Price: $
Personal Recommendations
Don Gaiferos
A well-established restaurant, popular with locals and tourists alike. Located only 200m (656ft) from the cathedral, right next to the Church of Santa María Salomé. The food is made from first-rate ingredients, and fish and seafood feature heavily on the menu, although there are also some tempting meat dishes on offer. Oh, and the desserts are great too.
Rúa Nova
Tel: (981) 583 894.
Price: $$$
A well-established restaurant, popular with locals and tourists alike. Located only 200m (656ft) from the cathedral, right next to the Church of Santa María Salomé. The food is made from first-rate ingredients, and fish and seafood feature heavily on the menu, although there are also some tempting meat dishes on offer. Oh, and the desserts are great too.
Rúa Nova
Tel: (981) 583 894.
Price: $$$
Restaurante Vilas
Beautiful décor, excellent food and friendly service have established Vilas as a perennial favourite in Santiago de Compostela. The speciality is seafood, and the octopus is superb. The tripe is another favourite. This is a Santiago classic, and bookings are recommended.
Calle Rosalía de Castro 88
Tel: (981) 591 000/150.
Price: $$$
Beautiful décor, excellent food and friendly service have established Vilas as a perennial favourite in Santiago de Compostela. The speciality is seafood, and the octopus is superb. The tripe is another favourite. This is a Santiago classic, and bookings are recommended.
Calle Rosalía de Castro 88
Tel: (981) 591 000/150.
Price: $$$
