There are many different options when it comes to eating out in Ourense. Meetings and social gatherings in the city are all based around gastronomy, with countless restaurants, bars and terraces that are a true culinary showcase, from the flavours of authentic traditional Galician cuisine (corresponding link) to the brilliant creations of chefs such as Julio Sotomayor, Daniel Guzmán and Miguel González, who are part of the country’s pantheon of haute cuisine.
Many of these establishments are concentrated in the historical quarter, above all around Calle de San Miguel and Plaza Mayor, where the custom of tapas-hopping is almost mandatory, invariably including wine produced in Ribeira Sacra (corresponding link) and the relatively nearby Rías Baixas.
But there are many restaurants outside the centre of Ourense too. Below are some safe bets, with the caveat that, despite everything, the best way to find out where to eat in Ourense is to let yourself be guided by common sense, your personal tastes and your budget.
- Eating at the Hotel Barceló Ourense
- The best restaurants in Ourense
- Some of the best tapas bars in Ourense
- Where to sleep in Ourense
Eating at the Hotel Barceló Ourense
The Hotel Barceló Ourense offers what is without a doubt the best way to start the day in the city, the B-LikeEat breakfast. Created with the consultation of the expert nutritionist and food designer Vanessa Losada, it is an authentic gastronomic experience based on seasonal, natural ingredients, grown and produced in an ecological manner in the local area.
Take the bread for example: beyond the usual toast, in the buffet you will find up to ten varieties of organic bread and sourdough. Also noteworthy is the inclusion of superfoods such as chia, pollen, cacao nibs and spirulina. Everything is designed to make the first meal of the day healthy, abundant, varied, high quality and, above all, very appetising.
The best restaurants in Ourense
It is worth mentioning that the best restaurants in Ourense include two Michelin-starred establishments. And this is especially commendable in a city of its size (around 105,000 inhabitants), situated away from Galicia’s main tourist destinations.
But there are many people flying the flag for gastronomy in Ourense (corresponding link). This explains the proliferation of high-quality restaurants, which make use of the magnificent local produce as well as incorporating influences from distant lands. These are some of the most recommended:
– Nova (Valle Inclán, 5): with one Michelin star, this place pays homage to flavour and seasonal produce, run by chefs Julio Sotomayor and Daniel Guzmán, two cousins who form a highly-successful duo. They themselves define the restaurant’s philosophy as cuisine that goes back to its roots, serving a tasting menu with eight to 13 courses, in which tradition and creativity go hand in hand. In terms of the wine list, it is conceived as an extension of this concept, with numerous local wines from small producers.
– Vila Real (Vila Real, 7): traditional Galician food with the odd creative touch and lots of vegetarian options. Good seasonal produce (above all seafood and vegetables) is given pride of place in this small but great restaurant, which has become a classic in the city.
– Shangri La (Reza, 13): this charming establishment demonstrates that you can be creative, convincing and win over even the most picky and sceptical palates using just plant-based ingredients. In fact, the restaurant is one of the biggest surprises in Ourense.
– Umami Gastronómico Ourense (Plazuela Magdalena): grilled food is a great idea that doesn’t always meet the expectations of gourmet diners. But that is not the case at this restaurant, which uses local produce (meat, fish and vegetables), cooking them to perfection to maximise their flavour and quality. As interesting as the food is the creative cocktail menu that is also served here.
– Miguel González (A Morteira Tibias, 80, O Pereiro de Aguiar): just six kilometres from the centre of Ourense (corresponding link) is this other culinary powerhouse with one Michelin star. Miguel González, chef and owner, is committed to using the best produce from the sea, the land and local livestock farms, transforming it into food imbued with memories, sensations and technique, with a large dose of improvisation and ingenuity. In fact, whichever tasting menu you choose, you never know what you are going to eat until the dish is in front of you.
– Ceibe (San Miguel, 8): the open kitchen that can be seen from the dining room of this restaurant is, in itself, a statement of intent. In fact, its chefs and owners Lydia del Olmo and Xosé Magalhaes, have conceived their restaurant as a homage to the traditional festivities of their homeland, where gastronomy is always at the fore. Local seasonal produce prepared and served in a simple manner in order to respect its natural flavours and textures, with large doses of ingenuity.
Some of the best tapas bars in Ourense
Some of the most recommended places to eat in Ourense are the many bars specialising in tapas. This is especially the case in the Os Viños area, in the middle of the historical quarter, where the custom of tapas-hopping is one of the best forms of social interaction between residents.
Below are some of the best tapas bars in Ourense and what you should order in each one of them:
– Tapa Negra (Plaza Magdalena, 7): Galician tapas and larger portions come together on the menu of this establishment with international influences (such as the risotto with sun-dried tomatoes, basil and parmesan). In the bar and also on the terrace you can find options such as fried cubed Arzúa cheese with homemade tomato jam, and baby squid with honey and mustard. And, of course, octopus.
– María Tapas (Unión, 1): this bar with a terrace serves tapas and larger portions ‘a la gallega’, with an emphasis on fish and seafood as well as Galician beef. The Galician-style or grilled octopus is delicious, as are the variegated scallops. They also have pinchos and open sandwiches, including one with picaña beef.
– Fuentefría (Viriato, 6): pinchos and tapas aside, the main attraction of this bar-cafeteria is its wine selection, which includes over 200 labels. The food they serve is traditional and very authentic: smoked anchovies, tripe with chickpeas, grilled ham, and different types of empanadas and sandwiches.
– El Buen Tapeo Gastrobar (Doctor Marañón, 2): small signature dishes and tapas, from the Jaen-born chef Ignacio León, alongside rice dishes and grilled items, which are the star of the show. Creative and somewhat surprising cuisine, with options such as duck gyozas on a bed of apple purée and chilli threads, ‘broken’ fried eggs with salmorejo, potatoes and diced ham, smoked salad with capers, and Castilian suckling lamb (for more hearty meals).
– O da Lucinda (Dos Fornos, s/n): bar serving classic tapas as well as other dishes with transoceanic influences (such as arepas and pulled pork) and good value for money. Regulars usually order the lacón, the patatas bravas, the Padrón peppers and the potato omelette.
– Café-bar Plaza (Plaza Abastos, 1): simple, unpretentious establishment frequented by locals who love traditional, authentic flavours. The Galician specialities that seduce diners include potato omelette, pig’s ear, octopus and lacón. But they also serve many other just as convincing dishes.
– O Capricho (Lepanto, 17): No-frills Galician and Spanish food (look out for the dishes made using Iberian pork) served in generous and, naturally, flavoursome portions. For example, ‘broken’ eggs with a range of combinations, hamburgers, pizzas and croquettes (all in different flavours), baby squid, deep-fried squid slices and patatas bravas.
Where to sleep in Ourense
Right in the city centre, one of the best accommodation options is without a doubt the Hotel Barceló Ourense, with 44 double rooms, which are the most spacious in the city. All of them are based on the B-Room concept, which guarantees maximum comfort for all guests, with a pillow menu, very comfortable mattresses, rain showers, high-speed Wi-fi and a tea and coffee kit.
The hotel also has a gym and sauna, free to use for guests, and a lively lobby-bar, where you can have an aperitif or drink with a varied selection of snacks.
