Os Maristas

On Praza da Verdura

Os Maristas is on Praza da Verdura, one of the arcaded squares of Pontevedra's old town, between Praza da Leña and the Ferrería. It occupies a ground-floor unit under the stone arcades, with a terrace on the square when the weather allows. The Michelin Guide recommends it and describes it as a modern, informal tapas bar; the Repsol Guide gave it a Sun in autumn 2023. Both place it in the moderate price range: Michelin gives it two coins and Repsol includes it among the places under €35.

It is a good option for lunch in the centre after going round the museum or the Santo Domingo ruins, without the long format of a tablecloth restaurant.

What you eat

The cooking mixes the usual Galician bites with more elaborate dishes, with Iberian, Mediterranean and sometimes Asian touches. Everything is designed to share in the middle of the table. Among the dishes the guides mention are octopus tacos, vitello tonnato panipuris, Thai-style clams marinara, a chistorra hot dog and mussel and chorizo empanadillas. The menu changes, so do not count on finding them all.

According to the Repsol Guide, it has options for coeliacs and for vegans and accepts groups. Michelin lists air conditioning, a terrace and card payment.

When to go

According to the Michelin Guide, it is open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 until midnight, except Thursday, when it opens only at midday, until 15:45. On Sunday it opens at midday, until 15:45, and on Monday it is closed. Its website was not available when we checked: confirm the hours by phone, on 683 429 027, especially on public holidays and in winter.

Booking

The Repsol Guide links to an online booking system; when we checked there were no free tables and it offered to join a waiting list. So the sensible thing is to book ahead if you go on a Friday or Saturday evening, or to arrive early at midday. You can also try your luck on the terrace if there is space.

Getting there and what to combine

Praza da Verdura is in the heart of the pedestrianised old town: you walk there from anywhere in the centre. If you come by car from Combarro or Poio, leave the car in one of the car parks on the edge of the old town and walk in. A few steps away is Praza da Leña, with the Pontevedra Museum, and a little further the Santo Domingo ruins, so it fits well into a morning of museums and strolling the old town.