Where to Eat and Where to Drink

For its modest size Allariz has an excellent range of cafes, tapas bars and restaurants. From the traditional to the modern and across all price ranges you are bound to find something that fits the bill.

The new anti smoking laws in Spain means that you are not allowed to smoke inside any of the establishments listed below, however some have terraces or gardens and as a last measure there is always the street outside. We eat late in Spain so expect to have lunch available from around 1:30 to 4 and dinner from 9 to around midnight and often later on weekends and holidays. Many of the restaurants have a set menu at lunchtime and these can be great deals. Three courses with beer, wine or soft drink for around 10€.

CHEAP

                                                       Roi Xordo Café/bar

Roi Xordo is more than a bar, it is a popular meeting place for the people of Allariz. It is the only place in the historic centre that has live entertainment – usually on Fridays and Saturdays starting around 11pm. There are newspapers and magazines if you feel like improving your local language skills and WIFI is available. The lovely and diminutive Carmen is the owner and she and her staff have some of the best coffee in the village. They also serve tapas, salads and specialities of the house – the frittata is the best in Allariz.

 ALARICO

A simple family restaurant where you will be made to feel at home by the brothers and sisters team of Bruno, Marian, Jose and Begonia. Mother can be found ruling the kitchen. Bruno and Mariam are attending English courses and are improving rapidly. There is a English version of the menu with explanations of the dishes. Set lunches for 10€ can be had from Monday to Friday. Cocedo is a traditional Galician dish made up of every part of the pig including the squeak and no one makes it better than Alarico – available Thursday and Sunday lunch.

SOCIAL CENTER O PORTELO

Gustavo, usually found hiding underneath one of his many hats, is the man behind this cosy bar and restaurant. He also has one of the largest and most eclectic music collections in Allariz so, depending on his mood, you may be entertained with anything from the jazz of Django Rheinhart, sixties pop or if a bad day then heavy metal. The food is delicious, especially the pork knuckle, and there is a surprisingly large garden out the back

TABERNA O PEPIÑO

Situated in the Plaza Mayor ( the Concello square) in the heart of the historic centre of Allariz this small, traditional restaurant bar is always popular. The dining room area can be very noisy so better to eat in the bar itself. The wonderful Gina runs the kitchen and serves up a range of good home cooked style food. The salted cod omlette is a particular favourite. The wine list, which includes Portuguese wine as well as local Galician wines, is very well priced and in particular the house red and white.

FANDIÑO TAPASThe latest restaurant bar to appear in the Plaza Mayor (fast becoming the social centre of Allariz) is Fandiño Tapas. A more casual and cheaper dining experience than Tino's other restaurant further up the hill. Good food and good prices is making this a very popular place. Try the chiparones fritos (battered and fried baby calimari) with one of the many wines available by the glass. This is the site of the first restaurant in Allariz and downstairs at the back the original dining room is pretty much as it was some fifty years ago.

AVERAGE PRICE

                                                       PORTOVELLO

Portovello has to have one of the most beautiful sites for a restaurant. Situated on the banks of the River Arnoi the restaurant is in a restored and renovated tannery that also houses the leather museum. The upstairs balcony of the restaurant juts out over the water and is the perfect place for a long and leisurely summer lunch. A reasonable wine list and a good range of Galician dishes, we particularly like the baked mushrooms with cheese and the Solomillo. Reasonable wine list as well. 

  

ACEA DA COSTA:

Another river side restaurant in a renovated mill. A large terrace under the trees overlooking the water is always popular in summer so get there early for the best tables. Confit of duck is a speciality here and the chestnut cake is not bad either. A great place to laze away a long lunch.

 MORE EXPENSIVE

                                                       TINO FANDINO:

Fandino is the oldest restaurant in Allariz, and one recommended by Michelin. Tino himself can often be found running the downstairs bar, say hello as he is trying to learn some English. Upstairs is a fine dining experience over two floors. A great wine list and some interesting Galician specialities for you to try. Fried river eels are superb here as are the razor shell clams but to be honest everything on the menu here comes recommended.  

VILANOVA

For our money the best restaurant in Allariz and one that would pass muster anywhere in the world. Renowned chef André Arzúa has a menu that is innovative without being weird and more importantly seriously delicious. The setting at the edge of the park by the river and next to the old bridge is lovely and we can definitely recommend this as the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. The park side of the restaurant is open during the day as a café/bar.