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* Best Restaurant on the "Camino de Santiago": "PALACIO DE MERÁS" - Tineo, Asturias
* Best Hotel: "HOSTAL LA SALLE" - Santiago de Compostela (RESERVATIONS HERE)
* Best Cafetaria: "CAFE ALABAMA" - Santiago de Compostela (See "My Blog" page)
and also: "CAFE EL CAMPIÑO", Rúa de San Roque, Santiago (Opposite La Salle)
* Best Albergue: "ALBERGUE DEL PILAR" - Rabanal del Camino (Isabel)
LATEST REVIEWS:
 
Top Right: Jack de Groot, Jesús Jato and Tomás Martinez at the "Albergue del Pilar"
Above: Hospitalera Isabel (The "Albergue del Pilar" is for sale: AD January 2012)
Above: pilgrims dine and have fun in the "Albergue Ave Phoenix" in Villafranca del Bierzo.
Hospitalero Jesús Jato takes pilgrims on a tour through the mountains in his jeep.
Also: Jack pictured in Jato's glass house while harvesting vegetables.
The "Ave Phoenix Albergue" is always open, also in winter.
Picture right: Templar priest Tomás in his Albergue in Manjarín, on the border of the Bierzo.
A magnificent pilgrim experience! This albergue is open all year round!
SOME OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS ON THE CAMINO
 1a. EL PALACIO DE MERÁS - TINEO (ASTURIAS)
Excellent food (close to one-star Michelin)  Ph. 985 900 111
Restaurant/Hotel visited by us in early March 2010
Four-course lunch 15 Euro (including bottled wine and rustic bread)
Magnificently renovated building dating from 1525
Spa, health treatments. Great discounts for pilgrims
Magnificent rural (50 kms) views from the rooms. Excellent, friendly service
Very good breakfast. The hotel is situated opposite the Town Hall
Á
1b. "laculpafuédemaría" - Berducedo
Between Pola de Allande and Grandas de Salime (Asturias)
Excellent food and excellent service
Pilgrim Menu: €9 / Try the game stews during the weekend!
Regional produce
 On Main Street; don't miss it!
 1c. Mesón "El Buen Yantar" - Nájera (La Rioja)
Specialties: Charcoal Grilled Meats and Fish. Pilgrim Menu: € 8,50 Head Chef: Dina. Ph. 941 36 02 74
2. Casa Rural / Albergue "Papasol"
ATAPUERCA (near the church)
A wonderful menu served by Jackeline
EXCELLENT MENU! LATEST VISIT: 15 MARCH 2011
OPEN IN WINTER Ph. 947 43 01 20 / 947 43 04 43
3. "Pérez Habitaciones" / Restaurante - PORTOMARIN (GALICIA)
Specialties: deep-fried eel (anguila), squid (pulpo gallego)
Magnificent views of the Miño river
Dining Room
Pilgrim Menus: from € 8
Ph. 982 54 50 40
 Owner José Pérez
View from the Dining Room:
The Miño river
Best place to sleep and eat in Portomarín. Open in winter
4. Restaurante "Xacobeo" - Triacastela
Specialty: Churrasco, grilled beef with chilly
Pictured on the right: our support member Stefanie
(Picture taken by Jack de Groot)
5. Restaurante Sevilla - Villafranca del Bierzo (on the plaza)
A consistently good pilgrim menu
Very nice terrace
Internet
Very fresh ingredients (tomatoes!)
Latest visit by us: January 2012
6. BAR MAZARICOS - Santiago de Compostela
Very good, fresh menu with good wine for €7,50
This restaurant is situated near the church which
stands in the Alameda Park. (Calle De Tras do Pilar, 7)
We tried it out in January 2011 with 4 pilgrims.
Outdoor terrace in summer!
7. Restaurante "Alto do Vento" - Amés
Good menu, snacks, drinks
At kilometerpole 80,230 past Santiago
On your way to Finisterra
8. "Hostal de los Reyes Católicos"
Santiago de Compostela
Free meals for pilgrims / affordable, set-price lunch for all visitors
Pictured: breakfast / dinner for "El peregrino"
At 9 am: churros, freshly baked rolls, coffee, milk
and croissants, served on a silver tray with doyles.
Established in 1492
At 12 & 7 pm: soup, fish, potatoes, tomato sauce,
cheesecake, stick bread, water and wine.
Some of the staff members work 40 years at the hostal.
 9. La Redonda - Logroño (in C/Portales, near crossing C/Sagasta in the centre)
Good breakfast, good pilgrim menu
E.g. Breakfast Andaluz: Large coffee, toast with mountain
ham slices and olive oil and a freshly squeezed orange juice: € 2,70
Also available: a breakfast with bacon and eggs: € 2,90
Menu: € 8,50 (March 2011: again, very good)
10. CAFE SA DA BRASILEIRO
OPORTO
Lunch: € 6,50 (Home made soup, main course,
wine, good coffee).
11. El Hogar del Pensionista
In: Aldeanueva del Camino (Cáceres)
A very good pilgrim menu served, including a
"Tarte Tatin" (see picture)
(Look for the terrace on the carretera)
SOME OF THE VERY BEST HOTELS ON THE "CAMINO DE SANTIAGO"
1. Hostal La Salle - Santiago de Compostela
Open 24 hours
360-degree view: here
 Rooms with or without bath/shower, with tv. WIFI and @ available.
Rúa Tras de Santa Clara s/n Teléfono: 981 58 56 67 (Near City Centre; 8 min. walk from
Cathedral; this hostal is a very quiet place to be, unlike many in mid-town Santiago.)
MORE PICTURES HERE
LATEST VISIT BY THE CAMINO HANDBOOK ON 10 OCTOBER 2011
EXCELLENT VALUE FOR MONEY !! PILGRIM DISCOUNT !! FREE BACKPACK STORAGE !!
Also very warmly recommended:
2. HOSTAL DON SUERO - LEÓN
At 300 meters from the San Marcos Monastery
(The Monastery is visible in the background in the
picture below) HOSTAL OPEN 24 HOURS
Ph. 987 23 06 00 (WIFI available)
This hostal is the perfect place to stay overnight:
quiet rooms with shower/bath, WC,
Plasma television set.
ALSO WELL RECOMMENDED:
This is your best option when in Belorado (53 kms east from Burgos)
The Hostal is run by a lovely couple who build their business
through word of mouth. Prices for a single room are 25 - 28 Euros.
Private bathroom, lovely view, plasma tv, very clean and quiet (opp. park)
To find it: enter the street which starts next to the large supermarket
on the carretera, and you will see the hostal at some 70 meters distance.
Ph: 947 58 05 25 or 616 01 08 08
OPEN IN WINTER (Latest visit: 14 March 2011)
* Palacio de Merás - Tineo (Asturias) (see pictures etc. above)
* Casa Rural "Camín Antiguo" - Berducedo (Asturias) Ph. 696 929 165 or 696 164 165 (see pic below)
* Hostería "Casa del Reloj" Ph. 987 45 31 24 (restored building; moderate prices) in Molinaseca
 Casa Rural "Camín Antiguo", Berducedo. Your hostess: Madel
ALSO RECOMMENDED: MESON LA PRADERA - VILLAMAÑIN (ON THE SALVADOR ROUTE)
QUIET, VERY ECONOMIC ROOMS, WITH BATH. GOOD MENU / WINE / BREAKFAST.
 From Main Street Villamañin turn into the Carretera Cármenes. Walk 700 meters.
3. Pensión Rúa - Arzúa Ph. 981 50 01 39 (on main street, on the left) (always open) (excellent)
Pensión Arcano - Arzúa (Eduvigis) Ph. 981 50 02 92 (follow signs on main street)
Hostal Plaza - Palas de Rei Ph. 982 38 01 09 (Pepe)
Hotel Paso Honroso - Hospital de Orbigo Ph. 987 36 10 10 (large rooms with bath)
 Pepe, aimable owner of Hostal Plaza
4. Hotel Madrid - Ponferrada (Book through: BOOKING.COM) Very good breakfast buffet!
5. Hostal / Hospederia ALBE - Carrión de los Condes (some rooms have a kitchen/fridge)
Ph. 979 880 913 or 699 094 185 (Rocío) or ask in the Supermarkt around the corner (at 50 m)
   ALBE
ALSO RECOMMENDED: Hostal Santiago - Carrión de los Condes Ph. 699 20 43 49
6. Hostal Méndez - Villafranca del Bierzo (near the bridge) Ph. 987 54 00 55 (Open in winter)
7. Pérez Habitaciones - Portomarín (Roberto, José) (also good restaurant, see pictures above) Ph. 982 54 50 40
8. Hostal Bearán - Calle San Nicolás, 25 - Pamplona (Anya) (picture below left) Ph. 948 22 34 28
Hotel Ramiro I - Jaca (Jesús) (in Aragón) (picture below right; good breakfast) Ph. 974 36 13 67
 
9. Hostal Camino de Santiago - Frómista (also albergue) (turn right on main plaza and follow the carretera 2 minutes) Ph. 979 81 00 53 (Mila)
10. Hostal El Mesón - Castrojeriz Ph. 947 37 74 00
11. Hotel La Fuente - Cornellana (very good service) (on main street, left) Ph. 985 83 40 42
Hotel Moneda - Cádavo Baleira (good value) Ph. 982 35 40 01
Hotel La Barra - Grandas de Salime (perfectly maintained and clean) Ph. 985 62 71 96 (opp. church)
 Hotel La Barra, Grandas de Salime (Asturias)
12. Hotel Mar de Plata - Sarria Ph. 982 53 07 24 (near train station and bus terminal)
Hostal Guntina - Palas de Rei Ph. 982 38 00 80 (exactly at km. 65 !!) Next to coffee shop El Pincho!!
13. Casa David - Triacastela Ph. 982 54 81 44 (Ask keys in Bar O Novo, main street on the left)
14. Hostal El Volante - Estella (exactly on the camino, up the hill on the left) Ph. 948 55 39 57
Hotel Monaco - Los Arcos (very helpful staff, very clean rooms, good views) Ph. 948 64 00 00
15. Hostal La Numantina - Logroño (Near main plaza, in Calle Sagasta, 4) Ph. 941 25 14 11
Hostal Hispano II - Nájera Ph. 941 36 29 57
16. NEW: Hostal La Pradera - Villamanín (on the Salvador Route) (cheap, friendly, good menu)
just off main street on Avenida Carmenes, behind cemetery.
SOME REALLY GOOD CAFETERIAS
 
1. CAFE ALABAMA - CALLE HORREO - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
(See pictures and a review on the MY BLOG Page) (Last visit: October 2010)
ALSO: CAFETARIA "CHE 2" - PEDROUZO (GALICIA) Coffee €1,20 with free cake
ALSO: CAFE EL CAMPIÑO - RUA SAN ROQUE - SANTIAGO (good, cheap breakfast)
 El Campiño
2. Bar El Poio - at km 142, just past O' Cebreiro (Remedios & Rocío) (open daily !!)
Pictures on the VOLUNTEERS page
3. Bar O Campo - Casas Novas (between Orense and Cea in Galicia) (below)
 
3. Cafetaría Ruiz - Tardajos (just past Burgos) (picture above left)
4. Bar Slarria (Andrea) - Villamayor de Monjardín (near Irache/Estella)
5. Casa Rural Dugium - In the valley between Finisterra and Muxía (very friendly) (Ernesto)
  Casa Dugium (check their website)
6. Cafetaría/Restaurante Polo - Sarria (picture below left) (Early breakfast, good lunch, dinner!!!)
Bar Ambasmestas (Valcarce Valley) (Luis) (picture below)
 
7. Cafetería Asturcón - Sahagún (try the apple tartlet)
7A. Bar Aquarius - Burgos (on a big plaza, close to El Cid) (Breakfast: 1,80)
8. Xacobeo - Triacastela (early breakfast) (picture: see under restaurants)
9. Bar/Pizzería Xoldra and also: Bar Atenas - Melide (both ON the Camino)
10. El Pájaro - Villafranca Montes de Oca (bocadillos!!) (picture on VOLUNTEERS page)
11. Bar Ameixa - Arzúa (near bus stop & ayuntamiento) (Interesting, old pictures on the walls!!)
 
12. El Molino - Navarrete (pinchos!) (opposite municipal albergue)
Bar Naxara - Nájera (pinchos) and also La Taberna de Manu
Cafetería Espolón - Santo Domingo de la Calzada (good, friendly) !!
Caffee di Roma - Pamplona (on a plaza near the Corte Inglés)
13. Chagala - Arzúa (below Pensión Rúa)
Os Casqueiros - Arzúa (on plaza) (open at 6 a.m.)
14. Britania - Palas de Rei (picture below; opposite refuge)
15. Panadería / Cafetería "El Paseo" - Puente la Reina (see picture below)
 Very good coffee; friendly service (under the trees on main road)
16. Café España - Samos (opposite monastery; interesting interior)
17. Bar Oasis - San Justo de la Vega (near Astorga) (order tortilla española !)
  
18. Bar Central - Sarria (on main street; order coffee and toast)
19. Bar Teo - Grañon (near Santo Domingo de la Calzada) (Pili) (very friendly)
20. Restaurante/Bar Cantinflas - Badarán (near San Millán de la Cogolla) (smoked ham)
  Main Street Badarán
NEW: Panadería Artesana - Estella (next to Eroski) (good coffee)
BEST ALBERGUES:
1A. Albergue La Salle - Santiago de Compostela
(TOP FLOOR; Open 24 hours)
Very clean, magnificent views, tv, vending machines,
micro wave oven,newspapers, library, backpack storage,
small rooms, hot showers
How to get there: moments before you reach the cathedral in Santiago you will pass Plaza Cervantes. On one of its corners there is a shop which sells lottery tickets
Enter this street: Rúa Algalia da Arriba. Follow this street (keep to the left when you see a chemist) for some 300 meters. Now you will enter a small plaza.
Continue you walk 100 meters (with the old Pilgrim Hospital on your right) along a busy road, and you will see the LA SALLE building.
(From the cathedral its a 7-minute walk.) Note that the same route will bring you to the Bus Terminal!
1B. Albergue del Pilar - Rabanal del Camino (200 metres LEFT from church)
(Internet, kitchen, drinks sold, breakfast served by Isabel) Bar, Restaurant, Internet.
Excellent Food. Visit to the Church for evening Mass.
 Left: Isabel the hospitalera. Right: pilgrims enjoy a meal !!
And: Albergue de Manjarín (between Rabanal and Molinaseca) Hospitalero: Tomás Martínez (picture below)
 "Always serving the passing pilgrims". (Jack on the right, Jan 2010)
2 & 3. Both the albergues in Torrres del Rio (Mariela & Mari)
4. Both the albergues in Atapuerca (Jackeline & Rocío)
5. Albergue de Miraz - Miraz (Galicia)
6. Albergue de Artieda (Marga, María Helena and José Mari) (see picture below: very good menu!)
Marga and her colleagues also rent out "Casa Rural Fortunato" at very reasonable prices.
  Artieda
7. El Berce (Andrés) - Triacastela (at the end of the main street on the right)
(Open in winter: HEATED ROOMS)
8. Albergue San Juan - Grañon (very friendly; one of the most authentic albergues!)
9. Albergue Municipal - Negreira
10. Albergue Municipal - Olveiroa
11. Albergue de Sangüesa (Juan Pedro) (picture below)
NEW 12. Albergue de Pajares - Pajares (on the Salvador Route) (Hospitalera Marisa). (see SALVADOR PAGE)
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