Restaurants
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 also available and include Ribeiro and Albario. 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 classed into four different pricing categories: $ (up to 10) $$ (10 to 20) $$$ (20 to 40) $$$$ (over 40)
Gastronomic
Toni Vicente Toni Vicente has been receiving rave reviews for her sound, solid food ever since she opened her restaurant here, and worshippers of Galician haute cuisine have made it their culinary temple. In her Michelin starred establishment (which many argue is the best in town), she uses local ingredients, particularly seafood and vegetables, and does away with extravagant creations in favour of authentic, delicious terroir cuisine.
Rosalia de Castro, 24 Tel: (981) 594 100. Price: $$$$
Casa Marcelo Toni Vicente might be the grande dame of Galician cuisine, but Marcelo Tejedor, the chef and owner of this Michelin starred restaurant, is the new generation. Eating at Casa Marcelo is an act of faith because there is no a la carte, and the only option is the daily changing tasting menu. Marcelo is the head of Nove, a group of young Galician cooks who are trying to renew the Galician gastronomic scene focusing on the products more than on new fancy techniques.
Huertas 1 Tel: (981) 558 580. Website: www.casamarcelo.net Price: $$$$
Business
Fornos This typical Galician restaurant is situated in the heart of the city, on the Plaza de Galicia. The restaurant is decorated in a classical style and is suitable for private or business meetings. Various first class Galician products are offered here, among which fresh fish and natural shellfish stand out.
C/ Hrreo, 24 bajo Tel: (981) 565 721. Website: www.galinor.es/lareira/fornos/english.html Price: $$$
Ruta Jacobea Located near the airport and a few minutes from the centre of Santiago, this is an excellent restaurant offering locally-inspired cuisine with a modern twist in an airy, pleasant setting. Function room available.
Lavacolla 41 Tel: (981) 88 82 11. Website: www.rjacobea.com Price: $$$
Trendy
El Rincon de Gurpegui Local, seasonal produce including cod, game and roasts, as well as shellfish.
Fray Rosendo Salvado 15 Tel: ( 981) 598 178. Price: $$
O Caf Casino A cool place to hang out and chill out, in the centre of the old town.
Rua do Villar 35 Tel: (981) 577 503. Price: $-$$
Budget
La Crepe Situated in La Casa da Conga, this is a cosy restaurant in a century old building on the Plaza de la Quintana (next door to the Cathedral) with beautiful views of the historical city. Crepes are a speciality here (savoury or sweet), but other dishes are available, including salads, plates of cheese or ham, kebabs, and fish or meat dishes. There is a good value menu of the day.
Praza de la Quintana 1 (Entresuelo) Tel: (981) 577 643. Website: www.crecotte.com Price: $-$$
O Rei do Bocadillo Literally the ‘king of sandwiches’, here you can choose from hundreds of sarnies made to order. Eat in or take away. Located near the Aladeda.
Rosalia de Castro 23 Tel: (981) 590 538. Price: $
Personal Recommendations
Don Gaiferos A well established restaurant, popular with locals and tourists alike. Located only 200m (656 ft) from the cathedral, right next to the Church of Santa Mara Salom. 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.
Rua Nova s/n Tel: (981) 583 894. Price: $$$
Restaurante Vilas Beautiful dcor, excellent food and friendly service have established Vilas as a perennial favourite in Santiago de Compostela. Bookings recommended.
Calle Rosala de Castro 88 Tel: (981) 591 000/150. Price: $$$
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