The Best Restaurant in Santiago De Compostela
What they say about the seafood here is true...
The capital of Galicia is special because its cathedral is the final destination for hundreds of thousands of hikers who walk the Camino de Santiago each year. Maybe one year I’ll return by foot but this time it was a quick stop along my road trip in Galicia. As I mentioned in my last post, this region is famous worldwide for its quality of ingredients and excellent dishes so its capital was a stop I couldn’t miss.
Ancient, captivating, small-enough-to-walk-around, romantic… this city is worth a visit even if you aren’t a foodie. After a lot of wandering my friend and I were hungry and ready for our much-anticipated dinner in one of Spain’s food capitals. We checked every restaurant’s menu and vibe until we came across a lovely restaurant which with one look we knew that’s where we wanted to experience our one precious meal in this city.
Have you ever experienced a meal where time freezes, you feel completely at peace and taken care of, every bite you relish, and you wish it could last forever? - I’ve said that friends call me dramatic, and maybe I am, but dinner at A Noiesa Casa de Comidas felt exactly like this for me. The warm lighting, welcoming tables, and stupendous food made it memorable but what stood out to me and was something I greatly appreciated was that this restaurant is owned and run by a 100% Galician family.
Our waiter explained that the hostess is his mother and the chef is his father, while he serves as our friendly waiter. Once we were seated and comfortable, the food slowly started coming out, plate by plate, and my goodness were we pleased. The way we were treated along with the quality and exquisite flavors of the food was possible only because this restaurant was not a business with only profit in mind but an outward expression of this family’s generosity, sharing their love of Galicia’s food.
What We Ate:
Antipasto: Muscles served with lemon and broth
Main Course: Octopus freshly cut at our table
Contorno: King crab ravioli
Dessert: Torrija (Spanish Toast)
The muscles tasted as if I had ripped them off the rocks at shore and cracked them open right then and there. The octopus was magnificent and tender. The ravioli melted in our mouths. Dessert was the perfect (typical Spanish) way to cleanse our pallets. I can’t thank this family enough for dedicating their lives to such a lovely and delicious dining experience in this special city.
Whether Santiago de Compostela is the final destination after a week of walking or a stop along a road trip like it was for me, I couldn’t recommend this restaurant more if you are searching for an authentic and wonderful dinner where you can feel love and care in every bite.
Grazie mille and wishing you the best food adventures,
Nada
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Everything looks delicious!