CAMINO DE SANTIAGO FOOD & DRINK: 23 DISHES AND DRINKS TO TRY.
Whenever we start planning our next Camino de Santiago route, one of the first things that we get excited about is the food and drink that we will be enjoying along the way. For me, I’m such a breakfast lover, that toast with tomato and a cafe con leche on the side is the combo that I look forward to. For John, it’s a cold Estrella Galicia beer with some tortilla at the end of a long day of walking.
This blog post sets out all you need to know about food & drink on the Camino de Santiago. We include 23 dishes and drinks that we think you should try on route.
Which Camino de Santiago is the best for foodies?
In general, Spain is a fantastic place to visit for foodies. Spain has a huge number, 223 to be precise, of Michelin star restaurants and many of these are on the Camino routes.
The best Camino routes for foodies, in my opinion, are the longer routes. Specifically, the Camino Frances & the Camino del Norte. This is because these routes go through a number of different provinces of Spain – for example, Asturias known for it’s cider and meat dishes on the Norte. Both routes also include some incredible cities, for example Leon on the Frances which is a foodie paradise. Shout out to Cocina con Mimo, an outstanding restaurant with a tasting menu in Leon.
That said, foodies will not be disappointed with the Portuguese Camino route. I recently walked the Portuguese Coastal with my Mum, who it’s fair to say is the very definition of a “foodie” and whilst she didn’t love everything, she was impressed with much of the food offered on the Portuguese section of the route. Even the simplest dishes of roast chicken and chips at low key eateries on this route are often delicious!
I’m going to be a bit controversial and say that the last 100kms of the Camino del Norte and Camino Frances are probably the worst sections on the Camino for foodies. Sure, there are some fantastic restaurants – for example Pasta in Palas de Rei is a stand out – but unfortunately many cafes and restaurants in the last 100km, don’t produce the best examples of Spanish cuisine.
Food on the Camino de Santiago
Food on the Camino de Santiago is varied and delightful. Particularly if you walk one of the longer Camino routes, you’ll have opportunity to sample various regional delights. You can find below the 11 foods that we think you should try on the Camino de Santiago.
The 11 foods you should try on the Camino de Santiago
Here are 11 foods that we think you should try on the Camino de Santiago, as well as information on where you can find them
1/ Pulpo
Pulpo otherwise known as Octopus, is a specialty of Galicia, the final region you will walk through on all of the Camino routes. The octopus is grilled with paprika and often served with sliced potatoes.
2/ Pimientos de Padron
Pimientos de Padron are small green peppers grown in Northern Spain in the region of Padron. They are fried in delicious olive oil and covered in salt. Eat as a snack or on the side of a main dish. On the Camino Portuguese, you will walk through Padron! Find Pimientos de Padron in restaurants all around Galicia.
3/ Pintxos
Pintxos are small bites, like tapas, often served on bread or on a skewer. The best cities on the Camino routes to get them are Bilbao, San Sebastian and Pamplona – where they are next level! Some have seafood, others are fried treats, or delicate morsels of meat.
4/ Toast with tomato
Toast with tomato (tostada con tomate)is a filling breakfast meal. Large pieces of bread or toast are topped with a sumptuous mix of garlic, tomato and olive oil. Top with salt and enjoy.You’ll find this in Spain but not Portugal.
5 / Caldo Galego
Caldo Galego is a Galician broth or soup. This soup will often be found on a pilgrims menu as a starter, or first course. I always try to choose it as it is so nourishing helps with staying healthy on the Camino! The broth normally contains greens, like cabbage and kale, as well as some root vegetable like turnip. Veggies should watch out though, as sometimes it does have bacon too.
6 / Chorizo a la sidra
Chroizo a la sidra is a simple dish – chorizo cooked in cider. The meat takes on the delicious taste of cider, leaving it sumptuous and rich.
7 / Francesinha sandwich
Found in Porto, at the start of the Portuguese Camino route, Francesinha is a sandwich smothered in cheese and a thick tomato and beer sauce,it offers a (very)hearty taste of local cuisine.
8 / Churros with Chocolate
Churros are sweet doughnut style sticks covered in sugar. They are served warm, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. You’ll be given a thick hot chocolate on the side to dip them into.
Chocolate lovers should also look out for chocolate shops in Astorga on the Camino Frances – a favourite stop of mine!
9 / Tarta de Santiago
Tarta de Santiago is a tart originally from Galicia made from ground almonds. It has a lovely light texture and is not too sweet. A special treat to enjoy in Santiago de Compostela, but you’ll also see it on many Pilgrim Menus as soon as you enter Galicia.
10 / Pastel de Nata
Pastel de Nata, aka creamy custard tarts, are a beloved pastry, particularly in Lisbon. But you will see them everywhere in Porto and on the Portuguese route and they’ve even made their way to Santiago de Compostela too.
11 / Goats Cheese
Goats Cheese is a specialty in the region of O Cebreiro (around day 22 on the Camino Frances). It is traditionally served with honey. However, you can also see Goats Cheese on many a menu across Galicia on any of the Camino routes.
Menu del Dia on the Camino de Santiago
The Menu del Dia is a marvelous invention in my view. Menu del Dia, meaning Menu of the Day, is normally a three course set menu, perhaps with two or three choices for each course. It also includes a drink, water or wine. I believe that the idea of a Menu del Dia, is that it means that everyone can afford a proper lunch – as the price tends to be inexpensive.
On all of the Camino routes, you will find Menu del Dia offered. On some Camino routes, particularly the popular route of the Camino Frances, you will see that a “pilgrims menu” is offered. This tends to be a similar concept to the Menu del Dia, but marketed specifically at pilgrims walking the Camino.
On a typical Menu del Dia, you’ll find a starter of either pasta, salad or soup. Followed by a main course of fish, meat or perhaps pasta. Then, a “postre” – pudding – of flan, ice cream or similar. The price of a Menu del Dia on the Camino will range from 12 to 20 Euros depending on the location and quality of the food.
Cost of food on the Camino de Santiago
Food on the Camino is relatively inexpensive, comparative to some European countries, the USA and the UK. In general, the price of food in Spain tends to be lower.
You can expect to pay between 12 and 20 Euros for a Menu del Dia, or 8 to 20 euros for a main course in a restaurant. A sandwich in a cafe will cost between 3 and 6 euros, whilst a pastry may set you back 1 to 2 euros. Supermarkets tend to be quite cheap, with fruit, veg, pasta and all groceries costing less than you would see in the UK and the USA.
For more information on the cost of the Camino de Santiago in 2024, you can find our guide here.
Eating healthily on the Camino de Santiago
I’ll be totally honest, without some effort, it can be easy to end up living on a very “beige” diet when walking the Camino. Compared to my normal diet, I’d say that I eat less fruit and veg on the Camino, and way more bread, pasta and potato! It’s a bit of a balancing act, as you need to make sure you keep up your calorie intake – but without relying too hard on beige foods.
We’ve written a full guide to staying healthy on the Camino, based on our experience. You can find it here.
Gluten Free Food on the Camino de Santiago
When I first walked a Camino, I had a gluten free diet. I’ll be honest, I found it very difficult to be gluten free on the Camino. Many of the dishes offered on the Camino have bread involved. Toast for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch become staples. Clearly, for gluten free people, this is not possible.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Many albergues and restaurateurs are amenable to helping out with dietary restrictions on pilgrim menus. The best tips that I could offer, are to learn how to tell staff in restaurants that you are gluten free – ask for everything “sin gluten”, and stick to things that you know will be gluten free – plain meat, fish, potatoes and salad.
Spanish tortilla is naturally gluten free, I tended to stick to that for breakfast, and sometimes lunch too. Carrying a loaf of gluten free bread can also be a total savior.
Vegetarian food on the Camino de Santiago
I recently walked part of the Camino de Santiago with a vegetarian friend, although I am not vegetarian myself. Based on her experience, I believe that it is possible to walk the Camino as a vegetarian. But you may miss out on eating a variety of vegetarian food on the Camino de Santiago. During her Camino, she ate a lot of eggs, salad, and padron peppers!
It can be helpful to learn how to ask for vegetarian food in restaurants. Often, if you ask then the chef will make you something, if there’s not a vegetarian option on the menu. Supermarkets are also very helpful as you can stock up on anything you want and create packed lunches or cook evening meals.
Drinks on the Camino de Santiago
There are certain drinks that I love to enjoy in Spain, particularly on the Camino de Santiago. From Rioja wine, to an ice cold Vermouth Rosso – it all tastes delightful at the end of a hot walking day. There are 12 drinks that are our faves on the Camino de Santiago and that we think you should try. Find these below.
The 12 drinks you should try on the Camino de Santiago
Here are 12 drinks that we think you should try on the Camino de Santiago, as well as information on where you can find them.
1 / Vermouth Rosso
Vermouth is a fortified wine often served in Spain as an aperitif. It is particularity popular in Madrid and Seville but you can get it across Spain.
2 / Rioja Wine
Rioja is (mainly) red wine made in the smallest region of Spain, the Rioja region. You will walk through this region during the Camino Frances. Rioja has deep tastes of cherry, vanilla and other fruit.
3 / Albariño Wine
Albariño is a special white wine made in Galicia. It is a fruity and elegant wine that matches really well with seafood. Try this in any bar or restaurant in Galicia, but I find it tastes particularly delicious when you’re overlooking the ocean on the Camino del Norte.
4 / Port
Port wine, a fortified wine from Porto, Portugal, offers a rich, sweet taste perfect for savoring after meals. Visit port lodges in Porto like Taylor’s and Graham’s to delve into guided tastings and tours. You can also drink Port in a summer cocktail with tonic water!
5 / Tinto de Verano
Tinto de Verano (Summer Wine) is very similar to Sangria and the two are sometimes interchangeable. It is red wine and soda, normally lemonade served over ice with a nice slice of lemon as result fabulous on the beach or as an afternoon drink.
6 / Kalimotxo
Kalimotxo (pronounced Cal-i-moch-o). This is a delightful cold long drink. Its normally made in a large glass and is a mix of red wine (vino tinto) and coca cola in equal measure and poured over ice. It’s mainly found in the Basque region but you could order it anywhere and therefore be understood. It is one of the most refreshing drinks found in northern Spain.
7 / Estrella Galicia
Estrella Galicia is a beer made in the Galician region of Spain. You will see it everywhere on the Camino once you enter Spain. This brand of beer even has a number of murals dedicated to the Camino – look out for them on walls in small towns. A light and easy drinking lager.
8 / Queimada
Quimada is a Galician punch made from spirits, wine and spices. It originates from Celtic pagan festivals and is thought to ward off spirits. Guide books I have read have indicated that this can be found near to Santiago and in the city itself. I have to say, I have scoured bars in Santiago de Compostela and am yet to have found it. Please get in touch if you have!
9 / Cafe Con Leche
Cafe Con Leche, is quite simply a coffee with milk. I don’t know what it is, but the Cafe Con Leche on the Camino just hits differently. It may be that there’s some secret recipe, but actually I think it’s just that when you sit down for a coffee break on the Camino, you really feel that you need it!
10/ Vinho Verdhe
Vinho Verde, a unique wine from northern Portugal, is known for its light body and subtle effervescence. Often enjoyed young, it exudes fresh, fruity flavors ideal for warm days. You can get Vinho Verde in most wine bars on the Portuguese stretch of the Camino between Porto and Galicia.
11/ Gin & Tonic
Whilst gin and tonic is not a “spanish” drink per se, it is something that we always enjoy on the Camino. In the UK, when you order a gin & tonic, you get a small measure for a not so small price. In Spain, gin and tonic is inexpensive and is rarely measured out. Take it easy on the G&Ts though, or you might be starting off quite slowly the next day!
12/ Sidra
Sidra (pronounced See-dra) is a cider found in Asturias. Here you will notice that most of the bars and restaurants are called Siderias. In Asturias, the bar staff will insist on pouring your sidra for you. This must be done accordingly from shoulder height and with great panache.
Cost of drinks on the Camino de Santiago
Drinks are very inexpensive on the Camino, compared to in other European countries or in the USA. However, prices have gone up a little over the last few years. In general, you are looking at 1.50 to 2 Euros for a coffee, 2 to 3 euros for a beer and 1.50 to 3 euros for a glass of wine. Comparatively, soft drinks tend to be pricier. Sometimes 3 euros for a soft drink. If in doubt, drink beer is our motto!
You can find our guide to the cost of walking the Camino de Santiago in 2024 here.
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Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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