Galicia has a long-standing tradition of excellent cuisine. But do you know your pulpo from your mariscada?
Galicia, the northwest corner of Spain has a long tradition of outstanding gastronomy. The cuisine in Galicia is highly varied, making eating out in Galicia a truly pleasurable experience.
Foodies all over the world flock to this region of Spain to try their high-quality seafood and shellfish dishes. The Galicians are extremely proud of their gastronomy, and therefore Galicia is home to some of the best-known dishes in Spain.
Galicia produces more seafood and shellfish than any other Spanish region, and so much of their delicious produce is transported on a daily basis to the best restaurants all over Spain and Europe.
A trip to Galicia is a real treat for the senses. With its hills that undulate unto the sea, there’s a maritime mist that will engulf you while you’re here. Food markets and restaurants are freshly stocked with the ocean’s bounty, and local chefs take great pride in preparing the finest cuisine.
Galicia, Spain
Heading Out to Savour Tapas and Wines in the Old Town Centres
When wandering the historic towns of Santiago de Compostela, Ourense, Pontevedra, A Coruña, or Vigo, it’s a treat for the senses. You’ll spend hours exploring the old-fashioned streets, with quaint taverns at every turn offering what are amongst the best tapas in Spain.
Each town will have its own local speciality to savour. For example, A Pedra in Vigo is famous for its oyster bars. In Santiago de Compostela, many people enjoy heading to the local markets, such as the Mercado de Abastos in Santiago de Compostela, where you can eat local delicacies made on the spot. When it comes to wine, the crisp Albariño has long been this region’s trademark grape.
A Coruña, Galicia, España
Experience Life Life the Locals
The region of Galicia offers culinary activities for visitors to experience their fine cuisine. For example, you can spend a day on a fishing boat, and cook what you caught afterwards. You can also take a shellfish harvesting class in places like the island of A Toxa, or go to a fish market to see the auctioneers busy at work.
In O Grove, visitors can take a catamaran trip to experience a mussel tasting, while blissfully watching the sunset from the sailboat. When visiting renowned fishing towns like Muros, Fisterra and Muxía, we highly recommend trying a seafood feast known as seafood feast or mariscada. The dish often has lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, as well as cuttlefish and is seasoned with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.
Dine in a Furancho, Pazo or a Watermill
The best way to experience Galician cuisine is in the cosy family atmosphere of a furancho – these are small bars or wine bodegas on the ground floor of private residences. Here, wine is offered straight from the barrel, as well as homemade food like squid pie.
Another enjoyable experience is eating in a renovated watermill, such as the ones found in Meaño. These watermills are over 200 years old, and are usually set in stunning countryside landscapes.
Also, eating in a pazo is a must. These are historic country houses with gorgeous gardens, many of which include a restaurant. In Galicia, dining always feels extremely homely, as many of the places to eat are in people’s private homes.
As you can see, eating out in a pazo is a truly idyllic and relaxing experience.
Pazo de Oca, La Estrada, Galicia
Go Wine tasting in the Ribeira Sacra District
This district features the most visually striking vineyards you may ever get to see. In Ribeira Sacra, there are gorges that are 500 metres deep, carved by the rivers Sil and Miño. Curiously, the vines grow on almost vertical slopes.
In the Ribeira Sacra district, you’ll find enchanting monasteries, and around every corner, there are small wineries waiting to be tested. Here, you can learn how the wines are made, whilst enjoying a wine-tasting accompanied by traditional tapas.
We highly recommend heading to Cambados, which is the home of the delicious Albariño wine, and its famous Fefiñáns winery, as well as Ribadavia to try the Ribeiro.
Ribeira Sacra, Galicia