It is not hard to find great places to eat in Vigo. Of all Galicia’s major cities, Vigo is perhaps the most gourmand and where the best produce ends up. That is especially the case for seafood and, chiefly, all kinds of shellfish. This is explained by Vigo’s location, right in the middle of the Rías Baixas, and its good connections with the rest of the Galician region.
The reason also lies with the fondness that the people of Vigo have for going out with friends and family for a well-poured beer or a glass of wine. Whether sat at the bar or at a linen-draped table, in the city you will find all kinds of culinary options to suit a range of budgets, tastes, food intolerances and appetites.
- Where to eat in Vigo
- Best restaurants in Vigo
- Seafood restaurants in Vigo
- Eating well and on a budget in Vigo
- Where to go for tapas in Vigo
- Original restaurants in Vigo
- Hotels in Vigo
Where to eat in Vigo
Across the length and breadth of the city you will find numerous bars, restaurants and terraces. From the most famous, central neighbourhoods to the most working class, it is always possible to find establishments where you can enjoy good traditional food or new Galician cutting-edge cuisine.
The areas of the city that are home to the largest number of food and drink establishments, however, are in the centre, or the Casco Vello, around the port, in the area surrounding the cathedral, La Alameda (especially on Calle de Joaquín Nogueira Alonso, known as the ‘street of fun’), Plaza del Rey and the part leading to Monte O Castro.
Best restaurants in Vigo
There are several restaurants in Vigo that stand out for their quality. Two of them even have Michelin stars. Of all the excellent establishments in the city, these are the ones with the biggest following:
Maruja Limón (Monte Ríos, 4)
Using the magnificent local produce from the nearby local market and various local producers, the self-taught chef Rafa Centeno makes the most admired food in Vigo, which has been awarded with one star. Diners can chose between one of the two tasting menus, both of which nod (like the name of the restaurant) to his mother-in-law Maruja.
Silabario (Príncipe, 44)
Like the previous restaurant, this one also has one Michelin star. As attractive as the restaurant’s high-flying options is its location, beneath the glass and steel dome ceiling of the headquarters of the local football team, Real Club Celta de Vigo. Offers new Galician cooking created by chef Alberto González, which can be sampled in various ways to suit a range of budgets.
Detapaencepa (Ecuador, 18)
On the menu of this restaurant you can find a nice combination of tapas and local wines. But the restaurant goes far beyond the simple tavern concept, exploring the finest flavours of Galician and Spanish cuisine. They also make the odd nod to new culinary trends and the most creative cuisine.
Casa Obdulia (Avenida de Galicia, 140)
Don’t let the modest appearance of this restaurant, which almost resembles a cheap and cheerful eatery, deceive you: what awaits diners is one of the most authentic gastronomic experiences in Vigo, with top-quality produce straight from Bueu market.
Morrofino (Serafín Avendaño, 4-6)
Another establishment that surprises people due to its apparent simplicity but which astonishes diners with its high-quality dishes. The kitchen takes centre stage in this restaurant and is in fact integrated into the dining room. This is the chef’s way of sharing his modern, creative and fun creations with diners.
Seafood restaurants in Vigo
‘The place’ to try seafood in Vigo is without a doubt the Mercado da Pedra. A handful of seafood restaurants are concentrated around this area, which are supplied daily with the freshest produce collected or caught in the estuaries near Vigo. Below are some of the top-rated seafood restaurants in Vigo:
Casa Vella (Pescadería, 1)
This family business has been winning over fans of the finest shellfish in the area since 1989. Elegance and tradition come together with no frills in this establishment, which serves a range of grilled seafood, for two to four people, or seafood portions sold by weight.
La Marina (Pescadería, 5)
Here you will find the most diverse combinations of grilled seafood, both in terms of number and variety, with specimens caught or farmed in the estuaries of Vigo, Arosa, Muros and Pontevedra. They also offer seafood rice dishes, which are just as convincing and succulent.
Bar Nisio (Santa Tegra, 42)
Without any fancy decoration or service, this bar is a great option for enjoying the finest seafood at really astonishing prices.
O Portón (Pescadería, 1)
This tavern is a great option where you can sample the best local seafood at any time of the year. What’s more, when the weather is good, the terrace is a lovely spot, since its location on a pedestrian areas makes it quite peaceful. It’s worth taking a look at its other options, aside from seafood, which are just as tasty and varied.
Eating well and on a budget in Vigo
The best option to eat quality food at reasonable prices in Vigo are its taverns and cheap restaurants. There are many businesses spread out across the city and in each neighbourhood you will find at least one top spot. Here are some of them.
Taberna A Pedra (Cesteiros, 2)
Fish, meat and even seafood at very good prices, served in an establishment that is as popular as it is authentic. Here it’s worth trying the octopus, the Galician beef and the bay scallops, which come well seasoned.
Paparra (Avenida do Fragoso, 12)
You could call this bar a Galician-style fast-food outlet. That is, serving food made with good produce and in generous portions. People come here to try their meat dishes, the hamburgers and a varied range of sandwiches.
El Temporal (Reconquista, 4)
Pretty original food considering the general nature of the fare served here at this budget-friendly restaurant. Some fusion dishes mostly with an Eastern Asian inspiration and the option of trying items from the à la carte menu in a daily lunch set menu for just 11 euros.
Where to go for tapas in Vigo
As you would expect, going for tapas in Vigo is the most enjoyable and cheapest way to enjoy the best Galician food. Of all the many bars, taverns and terraces where you can sample tapas, these are the most notable:
Tapería Stefany (Oliva, 16)
Croquettes, choricitos al infierno, chipirones a lo pobre, Galician-style octopus, potato omelette… These are just some of the tapas options available at this bar situated on a pedestrian street. To fill you up even more you can also order hamburgers and pizzas.
Achégate (Joaquín Nogueira Alonso, 4)
Located on one of the liveliest streets in the centre of Vigo, almost everyone who passes through this establishment comments on the friendliness and efficiency of its waiting staff. In fact, people come here to enjoy both the food (Spanish omelette, bay scallops, deep-fried calamari, tiger mussels, Galician empanadas, etc.) and the drinks, as well as the good conversation at the bar.
Taberna de Tony (Gil, 2)
The ambience and decoration of this modern-day tavern is quite far removed from what one would expect from an establishment specialising in tapas. Food here is usually shared in a group at formal tables. It offers an excellent selection of cheeses and a very varied menu of tapas and larger portions, featuring produce from the sea and Galicia’s rural interior.
Colegiala del Fai (Plaza de la Iglesia, 2)
One of the most classic and best-loved taverns in Vigo’s Casco Vello (link to corresponding URL). In terms of tapas, the octopus with Tetilla cheese, the lacón and San Simón cheese, the cecina or the Iberian pork shoulder with rocket and tomato and the young eel with chorizo are the most popular.
Original restaurants in Vigo
In Vigo you will also find restaurants specialising in new cuisine with an international air. Such establishments offer fusion and personal, creative cuisine as well as, from time to time, eye-catching decoration:
La Cartelería (Velázquez Moreno, 41)
The name of this establishment refers to the many advertising posters that hang from its walls. Otherwise, you could say that it is a typical tapas restaurant, although one that uses well prepared produce and an interesting (even original) selection of wines and beers.
Juanita Gastrobar (Joaquín Yáñez, 4)
Transforming Galician-style tapas into a gourmet experience deserves a lot of merit. And that is exactly what they try to do on a daily basis in this establishment in the centre of Vigo, decorated in nice light tones, serving everything from a variety of gyoza to wild asparagus or mushroom risottos, through to stir-fried dishes and Thai-style or tempura chicken fingers.
The Otilio Bar (Luis Taboada, 9)
This place’s inclusion in this section is down to the unusual (or you could even say crazy) fusion of flavours found on its menu. Examples include marinated mature beef, tomato and pistachio mayonnaise, scallops with pork jowl and kale, grilled octopus tentacles and red alioli, stewed ox-tail cannelloni and smoked cheese foam. To finish, a couple of othilitos: a home-made Swiss roll made in the style of Phoskitos, a popular Spanish confectionery brand.
Hotels in Vigo
Next to the estuary and very close to the city centre is the Occidental Vigo hotel. A four-star establishment that offers a total of 104 rooms, all decorated attractively and, of course, comfortably.
In terms of food, the hotel Snack Bar is open from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., offering magnificent views of Vigo’s estuary. It is therefore a great place for a small bite, a coffee or a refreshment at any time of the day. As far as breakfast is concerned, guests of the Occidental Vigo hotel can enjoy a varied buffet consisting of local, national and international dishes and produce.
