We’ve often asked about where to eat in Galicia for a total foodie experience, so we’ve created an amazing list of recommendations that we share with friends and family. Unfortunately, most of them can only be booked by phone (and in Spanish) so it wouldn’t help much if you are coming from abroad.
So, we’ve re-searched on our list for those un-missable spots that can be booked online too, so it’s easier for the foodie travelers visiting Galicia to taste the best of the food and wine of the region. (Yes, these are not cheap places for the Galician average, but we guarantee that the tastes are truly top.)
Top 5 restaurants at Rias Baixas you should add to your trip (that can be booked online)
Quinta de San Amaro
Quinta de San Amaro is the restaurant of a worldwide famous small B&B hotel (with only 14 rooms) in an old traditional house that has been refurbished in style. The restaurant, which has some amazing views over the valley is a very nice place to go for traditional Galician food with a twist.
You will find here: great product (fish & seafood rice is a must but the “huevos rotos” – fried eggs – are also our fav there), nice people with a good wine cellar with wines from the region.
If you are going with a group, you could try booking the library or under the vineyard for a different atmosphere. And, of course, it is a very nice place to stay.
Where: Aldea San Mauro 36638 Meaño Pontevedra. It seems to be in the middle of nowhere, but it’s a close spot to explore A Toxa, Cambados and Pontevedra.
They have their own parking lot (free).
Book online (with menu and prices)
Loliña
A long-time classic and family run place in the land of clams (clams from Carril are some of the most tasty, and expensive, in Spain). These stone walls have hosted some of the most important people who has visited Galicia (we once ate next to the Royal family here) and the reason is clear: fresh fish and traditional cooking.
Our top recommendations are clams (if you can afford them, try the Carril ones, otherwise go for the “marinera” ones and make sure you ask which they will serve you if you don’t want a long bill), Caldeirada de Rape “Loliña” (traditional fish stew with potatoes, they can cook it with different fish, just ask) and traditional filloas as dessert.
Where: Rúa Alameda Vella, 36610 Carril, Vilagarcia De Arousa. Doesn’t have its own parking lot.
Book online (with menu and prices)
Maruja Limón
This one-star Michelin restaurant is the place to go if you are looking for a modern approach to Galician culinary traditions with the freshest produce from the Ría (the amazing wholesale fish market of Vigo is not far away).
The menus are set by number of dishes but you can choose from the different dishes of the day and also you can sit at a table or at the counter looking at the kitchen (check availability before visiting). Just make shure you book for an early time set if you plan to have the long menu (it’s only served before 14:45 and 22:15 hours.)
Where: Rúa Montero Ríos, 4 36201 Vigo. It doesn’t have its own parking but there are two big ones in the area and you could park in the nearby streets (in theory, it’s almost as hard as finding a leprechaun).
Book online. For menus, check the restaurants page (in Spanish)
Serafín (Cíes Islands)
This is one of those spots most miss when they visit Cíes Islands. While most people buy their bocadillos from the bakeries next to the departure point, bring their own picnic basket with some tortilla de patatas or buy some empanada at the bar next to the ship dock, only the pros know that there is a nice traditional restaurant right a Cíes Islands where you can sit and taste the fresh capture of the day (the capture is from nearby Vigo or Cangas, fishing is forbidden inside the park.)
A beautiful landscape, nice food and being surrounded by truly locals is what we love from this place. The fact that it is inside the National Park is also top. Just remember that they can be a bit overwhelmed during peak season and you might need more time than expected to enjoy your meal (the landscape compensates) so remember that when you book your ship back to Vigo.
Where: Cíes Islands, next to the Camping Site. Check our recommendations to visit Cíes Islands before you book online.
Los Abetos
If you are thinking of tasting the famous Galician meat, this is probably one of the best places in Rias Baixas. And while locals know it for their traditional “Argentinian” style, truth is that you will find here the best meat, pork (and great fish too, if you feel like it).
Grilled octopus, traditional sirloin steak with sauce, lamb… and the desserts keep us going back every time. Just remember to add a note when booking os they sit you at the gallery (so you can enjoy the high windows) or with a view to the fire where the meat is grilled (no smoke goes to the hall).
Where: Avenida del Val Miñor, 89 36350 Nigran. Has its own parking lot.
The alternative:
If you want to add those un-bookable places to your trip (but don’t speak Spanish, Galician or Portuguese), we recommend booking one of the EatTour Specialist Tours that take you on tapas through Vigo or to cook something on your own with a local chef. Most popular are: the trek and tapas tour and the Vigo tapas tour.
And, if you feel like venturing on your own, check our guide on what to order in Galicia if you feel like going for tapas.
Some extra info
The best option to move around, especially when planning for good food is to use a car, which will also be helpful to explore the small villages and interesting sites nearby (Cangas, Baiona, Mondariz, Pontevedra, Baiona…)
There are several are many public parking areas (some are pay, but weekends are always free) and many places have their own parking lot, but expect lots of visitors during the summer, making it harder to park your car.
How to get there
By train: Renfe operates direct trains to Vigo and Pontevedra from A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela and even Madrid and Barcelona on a daily basis. Connecting trains with Portugal (via Porto) are also available at Vigo train station. And a few trains connect with Vilagarcía de Arousa from Vigo and Santiago de Compostela.
By plane: Vigo has its own airport (VGO), next are: Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) and Porto (OPO)
Camino de Santiago: via the Portuguese Way.
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