Can Nou

Can Quei, now Can Nou

This family restaurant on the Olot road began more than fifty years ago as Can Quei, a grocery shop that the Vergés family turned into a Catalan eatery. It has moved within Besalú and is now called Can Nou, with the same phone number and the same cooking as always: home-style, local, with zero-mile produce prepared in house. It is at the entrance to the town, beside the Olot road, outside the medieval centre.

What to order

There is a set menu of the day, with more than six starters, six main courses and six desserts to choose from, with bread, wine and water. On the à la carte menu its website mentions xató, cannelloni, snails a la llauna, escudella with meatballs, artichokes with porcini sauce, fideuà, creamy porcini rice, fried squid, confit cod and grilled octopus. For meat, organic lamb, T-bone and sirloin of Girona veal and Duroc pork secreto; from the stews, oxtail in Empordà red wine and pig's trotters in a casserole. It also serves cooked breakfasts, combination plates, home-made burgers, sandwiches and tapas, and in season mushrooms and calçots. They adapt dishes to intolerances and allergies.

When to go and how to book

The Garrotxa tourism association lists it as open Monday to Saturday from first thing, closed on Sunday; confirm the hours when you book, because the restaurant's website does not publish them. Book by phone, on 972 590 085 or 648 019 430, or by email at [email protected].

Getting there and parking

As it is on the Olot road, you can reach it by car without entering the old town, which reserves parking for residents. The tourism association lists it with ample parking and a terrace, and it prepares takeaway food.