Pulpería Rial — Restaurant in Padrón

Pulpería Rial: A Pilgrim's Delight in Padrón Nestled in the heart of Padrón, a town famous for its peppers and its place on the Camino de Santiago, Pulpería Rial is a culinary beacon for weary pilgrims and food lovers alike. This isn't just a place to eat; it's an authentic Galician experience, and a highly recommended one at that. Our visit to Pulpería Rial was a true highlight of our journey. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy, a testament to its popularity, with the restaurant filled with fellow peregrinos (pilgrims) sharing stories and laughter over plates of delicious food. The menu, a celebration of traditional Galician fare, was a delight from start to finish. We began with the quintessential pimientos de padrón, fresh from the local fields. They were perfectly fried, glistening with olive oil and sea salt, and so addictive we could have eaten them all night. The main event was the octopus à Galega, a dish that is the very soul of this region. The octopus was incredibly tender, perfectly seasoned with paprika and sea salt, and served on a bed of sliced potatoes. It was, without a doubt, one of the best versions of the dish we have ever tasted. We also savored the zamburiñas (small scallops), which were cooked to perfection, their delicate flavor a pure taste of the Atlantic. The classic chips, a simple side, were the perfect accompaniment to soak up all the delicious flavors. To wash it all down, we enjoyed a few cold Spanish beers, the ideal pairing for such hearty and flavorful food. Beyond the excellent food, the service was top-notch. Despite the restaurant being completely full, the staff was incredibly efficient, friendly, and attentive, ensuring that every guest felt welcome and well-cared for. In a town where many restaurants cater to the Camino crowds, Pulpería Rial stands out for its unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. The food is excellent, the service is great, and the atmosphere is wonderfully lively. For any traveler passing through Padrón, whether on the Camino or simply exploring Galicia, a stop at Pulpería Rial is not just recommended, it's essential. It's a true taste of Galicia that you won't...

Ambience is important in a restaurant so I will try to set the scene for our meal for 16. If you enjoy the sound of tables being dragged across floors, rows in the kitchen, plates being dropped on your table and being barked at by grumpy middle aged men, this is the place for you!! They are trialling a new form of self service where they walk up to the nearest customer, stare blankly and wait for the customers to figure out who is being spoken to and what course they are being asked for. The customer then guesses if the waiter has heard the order and then decides which of their party is the next customer is the lucky recipient of pulperia real hospitality!! The same love and attention in the restaurant must be applied in the kitchen as a series of vaguely aquatic dishes are prepared and lovingly thrown at the guests. One of our group had the brilliant idea to go and get a pizza elsewhere in the middle of the meal. As one us learned to her cost when the food is plonked down in front of you It might be an idea not to wear your Sunday best. It is important to be fair and balanced and we did save 2.50 by asking for our change when we paid over 300 euros. I guarantee you won't feel any guilt no matter how little of a tip you leave. We had walked over 100k in the last few days but you haven't experienced true suffering until you've eaten here....

We didn’t have the best experience. Firstly, we had to wait 10-15 minutes just to order. After I got my French fries I had to wait 10 more minutes to get a raxo (I ordered octopus). The waiter just throw it on the table and left, I didn’t even had time to say it. We waited another 10 minutes to receive my boyfriend’s order the same way. I had to go to the counter to ask to change the pork meat and give me the octopus. Ofc I had to wait 15-20 more minutes, my fries were already completely cold and I was really hungry. It worsened the experience that the waiter didn’t speak English at all, he spoke to me as if I understood anything in Spanish. The food was ok but everything else made the experience awful, not to say it was expensive. Make sure you don’t go there in...