Cafe and tapas bars close to the bay (originally published 2006)

The last three or four years have seen several bars at the foot of two large apartment blocks close to Noia's bay area become increasingly popular.

These bars face the bay, but the view is interrupted by a couple of tennis courts and some parking zones that sit in front of them. Even so, they are in a location close to the bay's boardwalk and just 5 or 6 minutes walk from the alameda (main town square).

There are also a couple of restaurants in this area, both of which are popular and one of which (we think) is very good.

The photos on this page include the foot of one of these apartment blocks (above) with about four bars at ground level, plus the view from one of the bars across the tennis courts to the bay (left) Unfortunately the photos do not do the bars or area any justice. As of 2014 there must be seven or eight bars running the length of these apartment blocks and their popularity continues to increase.

Our recommendation

Bar Galemar

We had a couple of drinks along with the best and most regionally flavoured free tapas at this bar last year, but other than that we pretty much ignored it because we tend to go to the medieval district or the alameda. That has however been our loss.

We tried out Galemar again this year (July and August 2009) and this time not only had the free tapas with drinks, but also ate there in the evening and at lunchtime.

All I can say is that with the closure of la Para and the new management at Tasca Tipica, this bar has no rivals when it comes to tapas. It quite simply serves the best tapas in Noia and to add to that, its raciones sized tapas dishes are both the largest and cheapest in the town.

The calamares is excellent, the pork (lomo) and chicken (pollo) are mouth watering and the pimientos de Padron are as good as we have had. The list of tapas options is also extensive and the sandwiches (bocadillos) are again the largest and tastiest that we have had.

The photos show the front of the bar (above) and the pollo and calamaries tapas (left).

The service is very friendly although the staff do not speak English (at least that I know of). You can also get a good pot of tea at Galemar and it is served in a snazzy porcelain tea service. One of the waitresses at Galemar used to work at the very popular Mama Mias bistro at the other end of town.

(Updated 2014) Since I wrote this, this bar has had two different sets of owners and although the free tapas that you get with the drinks is fine, we have not eaten there properly under the current management - this is not to say that things have changed.

What I would add is that all of the bars in this area (and there must be 8 or nine on this street) generally offer proper tapas with their drinks which is not true of the bars at Noya's alameda. Tapas will however only be served when the bar's kitchen is open, so if you want some free food, choose your times with care.