10 essential gastronomic experiences

Turismo de Vigo
1.

Going to a "magosto"

Going to a magosto in autumn is an essential gastronomic experience in Vigo. It's the end of the harvest and chestnut season, and formerly neighbours gathered to preserve food for the winter. Now a magosto is an occasion to meet again around a fire, listening to traditional songs and tasting these delicious nuts, which were once essential in our Galician diet. They are currently exported all around the world, prepared as sweets, canned or as flour. But the experience of a popular magosto in Vigo is incomparable.

Turismo de Vigo
Turismo de Vigo
2.

A “churrasco”

Are you visiting Vigo with friends or with children? A fun option is to spend the day outdoors, grilling an authentic Galician churrasco. Every forest park in Vigo has public facilities where, besides nature, you can enjoy Galician meat with the unique flavour of wood, a typical custom of the area. And if you’re not up for grilling, you can always visit one of the great grillrooms available to dine in Vigo.

Turismo de Vigo
Turismo de Vigo
3.

Buying fish in the food market

Vigo’s food markets and squares are a purist gastronomic experience. If you enjoy cooking, this is where you’ll find the freshest produce from the land. But our fish is what will probably call your attention for its freshness, variety and quality. You do happen to be in one of the world’s most important fishing ports. Let the fishmongers advise you on your choice and on how to prepare it: they’re real experts in the matter.

Turismo de Vigo
Turismo de Vigo
4.

The aperitif ritual

The aperitif is another essential gastronomic moment in Vigo: a ritual we take very seriously, especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings. That’s when we go for a walk before lunchtime, meet friends and neighbours and read the newspaper with a glass of beer, wine or a soft drink with olives... or perhaps a more elaborate tapa. On sunny days, it’s mandatory to stop and enjoy the moment, opening ones appetite in any of the city’s charming spots.

Turismo de Vigo
Turismo de Vigo
5.

A Michelin Star dinner

When in Vigo, traditional gastronomic plans are not the only option. You’ll also find fantastic restaurants serving the latest in high cuisine and interesting reinterpretations of traditional dishes, with the highest quality standards regarding products, preparation and service.

Maruja Limón, run by Chef Rafael Centeno

Silabario: run by chef Alberto González

Restaurants with a Michelin star where you can enjoy a tasting menu for gourmets at a price that will surprise you. A real must!

Turismo de Vigo
Turismo de Vigo
6.

Going to a "furancho"

If you come to Vigo during furanchos season, a visit to one of them is a real must. Be sure to go to a furancho in Vigo to sample the year’s young wine. The owners usually accompany the wine with delicious homemade tapas, made with traditional pig slaughter products, as well as pies. Vigo’s neighbourhoods have several furanchos, where you will feel like in a real Galician rural tavern, with a relaxed, timeless family atmosphere.

Turismo de Vigo
Turismo de Vigo
7.

Octopus “á feira”

Have you tried making our octopus "a feira” recipe? We’re sure it tasted great... Now, imagine the essential experience of eating octopus in Vigo, in a traditional festival or religious celebration, or in a street stall. Our pulpeiras (or pulpeiros) choose the best ingredients, cook the octopus in traditional copper pots and serve them hot on a typical wooden dish with salt, paprika and olive oil... An ancient recipe that doesn’t taste the same in any other region of the world.

Turismo de Vigo
Turismo de Vigo
8.

Fried fish tapa

Vigo’s indispensable dish for fish lovers is undoubtedly the humble fried fish tapa (in Galician language, peixe or fried peixiños): a true gourmet pleasure. The variety of small fish from the estuary that you'll find in Vigo’s fish markets turn this simple recipe into a delicacy, fried in olive oil and salted to perfection. Fresh, daily Chinchos (tiny scad) and xoubas (tiny sardines) are the most used, especially in summer and accompanied by delicious Padrón peppers.

Turismo de Vigo
Turismo de Vigo
9.

A seafood platter

Something else essential in Vigo? A seafood platter. Whoever you ask, the answer is always the same: our most frequent visitors already know that enjoying a seafood platter is something not to be missed in Vigo. An authentic seafood platter consists of the best products from the Vigo estuary, varied and very hard to find in other regions of Spain. It should always contain crab, shrimp or king prawn, as well as mussels and barnacles, but you’ll find endless combinations in Vigo’s seafood restaurants.

Turismo de Vigo
Turismo de Vigo
10.

Oyster sampling

It’s probably safe to say that the most essential gastronomic experience in Vigo is a visit to calle de las ostras (Oyster Street). Pescadería Street is one of the most interesting tourist attractions in urban Vigo, offering a unique sight: our oyster sellers open the legendary Vigo estuary oysters and relentlessly prepare dishes of this delicacy, right in the street. The tradition is simple: they’re purchased directly from the oyster sellers and are eaten raw, with a little lemon and a good Albariño, one of the most acclaimed white wines from southern Galicia. Enjoy!

Turismo de Vigo