22 Comments
User's avatar
Vicky Hampton's avatar

I love the idea of each day of the week having it's own specific tapa! Also, I'm in Portugal right now, so I will remember to (only) eat Bacalhau on Sunday. Thank you for teaching me my "something new" today!

Expand full comment
Charlie Brown's avatar

Ha well, I think the Portuguese would eat it every day if they could! But yes it's definitely a popular Sunday dish. Where are you in Portugal? Are you coming Porto way? If so and you fancy a glass of wine, let me know.

Expand full comment
Vicky Hampton's avatar

I think I meant the "only" the other way round: on Sunday, I'll only eat bacalhau. On other days, there's a strong chance I'll eat it too! 😂 Right now I'm in the Azores for 6 weeks, but I'll be flying back to Lisbon on 15 March and will be staying in Evora for 3 weeks. I don't think that's particularly close to Porto, which is a shame as I'd love to meet for a glass of wine!

Expand full comment
Charlie Brown's avatar

Wow you're here a long time! Alas, they're not close to here. I have a recommendation for Evora for you though - Tua Madre. I've never been but I have it on good authority from my wine trade friends that it has the best food in the city, and an excellent wine list too

Expand full comment
Polly's avatar

Oh, putting that restaurant on my list too. We’ll be in Portugal soon, can’t wait!

Expand full comment
Vicky Hampton's avatar

Ooh, thanks for the local tip - will definitely check that out! (And in case you're thinking I'm just on a massively long holiday, I'll briefly explain: my husband and I both work remotely, so we rent out our apartment in Amsterdam for 4 months every year and go live/work somewhere else. For reasons that will be obvious to you as a Brit-turned-Porto-dweller, that usually involves spending at least a month or two a year in Portugal!)

Expand full comment
Charlie Brown's avatar

Sounds like a very good idea. I remoted worked around Europe for 3 years straight, so I get you!

Expand full comment
Polly's avatar

Enjoying rolling through your substack and this one to look for Portuguese wine suggestions! Thx to both of you!

Expand full comment
David Seaman's avatar

Can’t disagree. Blew into a coruna for 3 nights in October last. Well worth a longer stay.

Expand full comment
Liam Collens's avatar

The tripe fact was fascinating and thanks for the warning!

Expand full comment
ElhijodelItaliano's avatar

What a lovely description is A Coruña, and of Spanish culture in general. I’ll share this every time a non Spanish speaker asks me what’s the real tapas culture like. Northern cities are my favs, no matter the cold, the rain and the hash wind. Or maybe just because of that!

Expand full comment
Charlie Brown's avatar

Yes you can't really untangle the two! I also love the northern cities, although I still have many I want to visit - Santander and Gijon are next on the list

Expand full comment
ElhijodelItaliano's avatar

If you want recommendations for either of them, I am from Santander and spent so many times in Gijon. Don't hesitate to send me a message and I'll send you some "must do" in both cities ;)

Expand full comment
Martin Sorge's avatar

I've dreamed about spending a few weeks in Galicia. Thanks for this post!

Expand full comment
Robert Cripps's avatar

Be careful what you dream of. 7 years and counting, a resident of Galicia. Yes, the food is outstanding, the wine too. The weather in the summer is delightful but November it rains so much you'll start growing webbing between your toes. And it's a long way from anywhere else, except Porto. Any other non Galician city takes 3-5 hours to drive to. So it's easy to feel isolated here, more so for foreigners of which we are very few.

Expand full comment
Charlie Brown's avatar

I hear you, I live in Porto which has similar (albeit slightly warmer in my experience) weather than Galicia / A Coruna. It's raining right now in fact! When I lived in Logroño, we were also only one of a handful of foreigners. It makes for a very different living abroad experience, that's for sure.

Expand full comment
Charlie Brown's avatar

Gosh, that would be good

Expand full comment
Sarah O'Kelley's avatar

Love this 👏👏👏

Expand full comment
Charlie Brown's avatar

Thanks Sarah!

Expand full comment
Leigh Brelsford's avatar

What a great and informative read! Need to look the place up as you have made me curious!

Expand full comment
Charlie Brown's avatar

It's such an underrated city

Expand full comment
Bertsyview's avatar

I flew into A Coruna gor a change instead of Santiago. Wonderful city, loved it

Expand full comment