Restaurants in Santiago de Compostela

Tito Cierto Blanco

For arguably some of the best pulpo (octopus) in town, head slightly out of the Old Town, south of Alameda Park, to Tito Cierto Blanco. The cavernous interior, stained glass windows and friendly service are merely atmospheric appetisers to the main culinary show. As it’s outside the tourist area, some basic Spanish skills may be useful here.

Casa Marcelo

Marcelo Tejedor – the chef and owner of this excellent restaurant located just below the cathedral square – brings you a new generation of Galician cuisine. Eating at Casa Marcelo is an act of faith because there is no à la carte, and the only option is the daily tasting menu, which changes constantly. 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.

O Sendeiro Food Experience

As the name suggests, eating at O Sendeiro is something of a culinary voyage of Galicia. The menu is limited to a small number of special dishes, such as chestnut croquetas or Caldeirada de Raya, a Galician fish stew made with stingray. The restaurant is a little way out of the Old Town to the southeast, but well worth the trip.

La Tita

Offering Authentic Galician cuisine at very reasonable prices, La Tita’s menu includes a good mix of surf and turf meats or vegetarian tapas dishes that work best in a group dining scenario. La Tita also offers some shaded outdoor seating, which can be a rarity in the Old Town.

A Taberna do Bispo

Of an evening, you can consider yourself lucky to find a seat at A Taberna do Bispo, but that is because the tapas style dishes are exquisite, plentiful and varied. Plates well worth a try are their Bacalao (salted cod) in honey, or the succulent vieiras (scallops).

Don Gaiferos

This is a well-established restaurant in Santiago de Compostela with a lot of fans, both local and international. It’s located a stone’s throw from the cathedral and 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.

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 just south of the Alameda.

O Gato Negro

O Gato Negro is the kind of place that locals in the know point you towards. The great value, home-style Galician fish and seafood dishes have this modest sized restaurant regularly packed to the gills. Delicate Galician white wines are served in a porcelain jug and drunk out of a small bowl.

Cre-Cottê

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.