Restaurant of the Posada Real La Cartería

The house

La Cartería is a Posada Real (royal inn) in the heart of the historic centre of Puebla de Sanabria, in an 18th-century building that first served to collect the tithes of the Cistercian monks of the monastery of San Martín de Castañeda and later became the region's post office, hence the name. It is on the Rúa, the town's main street, inside the walls of the castle of the Counts of Benavente and with views of the River Tera.

The dining rooms

What is unusual is its three dining rooms: former cellars of the house, cut into the slate on which the town stands, where provisions, oil and wine were kept. Today they are medieval cellars under stone vaults, a setting the house itself describes as original and welcoming.

What you eat

The cooking mixes local produce prepared in a home-style way, such as habones (broad beans), beef or trout from the River Tera, with more creative dishes, mushroom and game dishes, which follow the season. The wines are mainly from the Duero area, and the house also boasts the traditional orujos (pomace spirits) for the end. The website does not publish the menu or prices, so it is worth asking what is on each day when you book.

For something lighter there is the café, a tavern-bar with a fireplace and views of the river, where they serve tostas (toasts with toppings), and a terrace towards the medieval wall when the weather is good.

Hours, booking and getting there

The website does not publish opening hours or closing days: book on 980 62 03 12 or 980 62 00 09, or write to [email protected]. The inn has eight rooms, so its guests also eat here: at weekends it is better to book.

Puebla de Sanabria is next to the A-52: the house gives exit 79 if you come from Madrid towards Galicia and 85 if you come towards Madrid, and you enter from Portugal via Calabor or Rihonor de Castilla. The old town has narrow cobbled streets, so the easy thing is to leave the car in the lower part and walk up.

What to combine

A meal at La Cartería fits after walking round the old town: the castle, the Azogue church, the walls and the Giants Museum are a few steps away. The house also has a wellness area with sauna and Turkish bath for its guests. If you want to compare, La Posada is on the Plaza Mayor, opposite the church, and the Parador below, on Avenida del Lago.