Vegetarian Restaurants in Santiago de Compostela: The Complete Vegetarian Guide

Galicia can seem like a meat-lover’s paradise. With shops, bars, and restaurants proudly displaying their meat- and fish-based specialties, it can be frustrating for vegetarians to find something that fits their dietary needs.

No worries, though—there are plenty of great vegetarian restaurants in Santiago, and even some specialty shops specializing in veggie-friendly products. There are even plenty of vegetarian tapas on the menu at non-vegetarian restaurants. You just need to know where to look! This complete guide to the meat-free lifestyle in Santiago de Compostela will show you everything you need to know.

Vegetarian Restaurants in Santiago de Compostela (And So Much More!)

Keywords and Phrases

When you have dietary restrictions, it's important to be able to communicate your needs when ordering food. Throw in an unfamiliar language, and it can seem downright overwhelming! Here are some helpful Spanish phrases to use when ordering food in Santiago de Compostela to help make your life a little easier.

Yo soy vegano/a. I am vegan.

Yo soy vegetariano/a. I am vegetarian.

Yo no como ni carne, ni pescado, ni huevos, ni productos lacteos. I don’t eat meat, fish, eggs or dairy products.

¿Me recomiendas algo rico, por favor? Can you recommend something tasty, please?

Yo no puedo comer… I can’t eat…
Carne: Meat
Cerdo: Pork
Pescado: Fish
Marisco: Seafood
Leche: Milk
Queso: Cheese
Mantequilla: Butter
Nata: Cream
Huevo: Egg
Miel: Honey
Yo puedo comer… I can eat…
Verduras: Vegetables
Ensalada: Salad
Judías/Habichuelas/Alubias: Beans
Lentejas: Lentils
Soja: Soy
Leche de soja: Soy milk
Almendras: Almonds
Nueces: Nuts
Arroz: Rice
Aceite: Oil
Pan: Bread
Champiñones/Setas: Mushrooms
Espinacas: Spinach
Fruta: Fruit

Vegetarian Tapas

Even if it doesn't appear so at first glance, lots of places feature some great vegetarian tapas on the menu. Here are some tasty veggie-friendly options to get you started.

1. Croquetas: You can find these everywhere! Croquetas are little balls of béchamel sauce covered in egg and breadcrumbs then fried. Just be sure to check what they contain (by asking ¿Que lleva?) as some can include meat or fish. A yummy veggie option is croquetas de setas (mushroom croquettes) or croquetas de puerros y queso (leek and cheese croquettes).
2. Queso Tetilla con membrillo: A slice of soft, creamy Galician cheese topped with a tangy, sweet membrillo fruit jelly—does it get any better than this? Membrillo is quince, which is often made into jelly in Spain. It goes perfectly with the famous cone-shaped Galician cheese. This popular vegetarian tapa also serves double duty as a dessert, too!
3. Patatas bravas: These famous potatoes are a must-try tapa all over Spain. They are cut into wedges, flash-fried and served with a delicious spicy tomato sauce. Some bars like to include mayonnaise in this dish, so if you avoid eggs and dairy, just check yours are mayo-free (sin mayonesa).
4. Pimientos de Padrón: A great vegetarian tapa to share! These little green Galician peppers are mostly mild, but every so often you might get a spicy one. They’re simply fried in Spanish olive oil and sprinkled with  sea salt, making them crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
5. Tortilla: Made of just three ingredients, but oh so tasty! Spanish tortilla is made up of eggs, potatoes and onions, and it is truly one of the best vegetarian tapas out there. The best tortillas are bright yellow, soft on the inside and firm on the outside. The brightness of the yellow is a tell-tale sign as to whether the eggs are organic.

Vegetarian Restaurants

Once you’ve filled up on these fab tapas, you'll probably want to try a full veggie-friendly meal at one of our favorite vegetarian restaurants in Santiago de Compostela. Some even offer midday deals so you can enjoy more of the good stuff!

1. Entre Pedras: Good food, tasty and cheap—a great combination for any restaurant, vegetarian or not! Try the vegan and vegetarian burgers made with lentils and nuts. If a toast or wrap is more your style they’ve got some pretty delicious unique flavor combinations to enjoy. This is one of the most popular vegetarian restaurants in Santiago de Compostela! (Rúa do Hospitaliño, 18)
2.  Malak Bistro: For something a little bit different, pop into Malak Bistro for Galician food with a Middle Eastern twist. Here, you can enjoy vegan, vegetarian and also gluten-free dishes mixing spices like turmeric, cumin, and curry with ingredients like chickpeas, tofu, rice and couscous. (Rúa das Orfas, 27)
3. Hervor e Fervor: A trendy restaurant north of Santiago de Compostela’s historic center that uses top-quality ingredients to create original vegan and vegetarian dishes. With options like hummus, olive tapenade, toasts and potato gnocchi, you’ll be spoiled for choice! This is easily one of the must-try vegetarian restaurants in Santiago de Compostela. (Praciña das Penas, 2)
4. Manso: A treat for those looking for gourmet vegan and vegetarian cuisine in Santiago de Compostela. Manso’s menu will delight and surprise you, but make sure you reserve and let them know your dietary requirements in advance. Food this good is worth a little planning ahead! (Avenida de Vilagarcía, 21)

Vegetarian Shops

Galicia is all about fresh, great quality produce, so it’s easy to find high quality fruits and veggies at many corner shops in the city. But when you’re looking for specialty vegetarian products, head to one of these veggie shops and stock up!

1. D’Aldea: Not far from the historic center of the city, this shop is full of vegan and vegetarian products. They also offer organic fruit and vegetables, wine and products for celiacs. (Avda. Rosalía de Castro, 25)
2. Herbas Tenda Vegana: This is a great shop for vegans and vegetarians in Santiago de Compostela. You can pick up organic and vegan products as well as products sold by weight, such as rice, grains, nuts and even algae! (Rúa dos Pitelos, 26)
3. O Xardín dos Soños: This is a cute and cozy shop/café in the historic center where you can get all your veggie products and then enjoy a vegan or vegetarian bite to eat! They even have vegan cake and a variety of teas to enjoy. (Casas Reais, 38)

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