Mesón 42 is a restaurante in Santiago Centro, Santiago de Compostela. Rated 4.5 stars from 5280 Google reviews. Known for octopus and seafood and warm, attentive service. Best for groups and families with children. Price range: €20-30.
Mesón 42 is rated 4.5★ on Google (5,280 reviews) and 4.4★ on TripAdvisor (1,443 reviews) — a consistent rating across both platforms.
Rankings updated June 2026
Mesón 42
Across 5,268 rated reviews, 90% gave four or five stars.
Consistently rated across Google and TripAdvisor
6,723 reviews across two platforms
Quick Verdict
Mesón 42 delivers excellent Galician seafood and meat, warm service, and fair pricing in an inviting historic-centre setting that fills nightly—book ahead.
You want generous Galician seafood and meat in a warm, historic stone dining room where staff treat you like a regular.
About Mesón 42
Mesón 42 sits in Santiago's historic centre as a welcoming neighbourhood anchor where Galician seafood and grilled meats arrive in generous portions at fair prices. The kitchen excels with octopus, prawns, and mixed meat platters—dishes that regulars return for repeatedly. The space itself, carved from a thoughtfully restored old stone building, strikes an informal but polished tone: exposed beams, warm lighting, and a bar where locals and tourists alike linger over wine or craft beer. Staff move with genuine warmth; multiple recent visits note camareros and camareras who go beyond standard service—remembering names, offering wine tastings unprompted, even accommodating last-minute surprises for groups. The wine and beer selections punch above the price point, and desserts (particularly the dulce de leche foam) finish meals on a high note. Reservations are essential for dinner and lunch, especially for groups, but solo diners often find a seat at the bar. Parking nearby is paid street parking, a minor friction in the old town, but the food and atmosphere justify the detour.
Mesón 42 is one of those places where the dessert menu is not an afterthought — a detail regulars tend to mention first.
In the last 90 days, Mesón 42 has drawn 25 substantial written reviews (50+ characters of genuine feedback) — recent momentum that is one of the signals behind its place on the hot list.
What Stands Out
Octopus and seafood
Multiple recent reviews highlight octopus as 'obra de arte' (a work of art) and 'excelente pulpo'; prawns and mixed seafood platters consistently praised for quality and generous portions.
Warm, attentive service
Staff regularly noted for exceptional friendliness and attention—one reviewer described a camarera's 'simpatía y sonrisa' multiplying the flavour of the meal; another praised the team for helping orchestrate a surprise for friends.
Strong wine and beer selection
GBP highlights include 'Muy buena selección de vinos' and 'Muy buena selección de cervezas'; recent reviews confirm staff expertise in recommending local wines and offering tastings.
In Their Own Words
Review highlights surfaced by Google — shown in English, with the original beneath
“A platter of octopus, razor clams, mussels, baby squid and an empanada – absolutely delicious.”
“Tapeo pulpo navajas mejillones chipirones empanada buenísimo.”
“We ordered the goat's cheese salad, croquettes, octopus à la feira and a mixed meat platter.”
“Pedimos la ensalada con queso de cabra, croquetas, pulpo a feira y mix de carne.”
“Generous portions, quick and friendly staff, and a lovely restaurant”
“Raciones abundantes, camareros rápidos y agradables y el mesón precioso”
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Contact
Rúa do Franco, 42, 15702 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España
+34 981 58 10 09Visit WebsiteView MenuCommon Questions
Do Google and TripAdvisor reviewers agree on Mesón 42?
Yes. Mesón 42 holds 4.5★ across 5,280 Google reviews and 4.4★ across 1,443 TripAdvisor reviews — the two independent platforms align, a consistency that comes from visitors rather than editors.
How consistently good is Mesón 42?
Across 5,268 rated reviews, 90% of visitors gave four or five stars.
Do you need to book Mesón 42 in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended for lunch and dinner — Mesón 42 is a popular choice in Santiago Centro and tends to fill quickly, particularly at weekends.
Is Mesón 42 family friendly?
Mesón 42 accommodates families — Google visitors note facilities for children, and the welcoming atmosphere suits all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mesón 42
Yes. It's marked 'Popular for cena en solitario' (solo dinner), and recent solo diners found welcoming bar seating and attentive staff. One reviewer noted good luck dining alone meant avoiding long waits—though groups should always reserve.
Absolutely. GBP lists it as 'Ideal para ir con niños' (ideal for children) with high chairs available. The informal atmosphere and generous portions suit families well.
Yes, especially for dinner and lunch. GBP recommends reservations for both meals; the venue fills quickly. Solo bar diners may find walk-in space, but groups should reserve.
Octopus (pulpo), prawns (gambas), and mixed grilled meat (mixto de churrasco) are consistently praised. Desserts, especially the dulce de leche foam, are also highlights. Seafood and meat are the kitchen's strength.
Parking is paid street parking nearby, which can be tight in the historic centre. Plan accordingly or use public transport.
€20–30 per person, offering good value for the quality and portion sizes. Wine and beer selections are strong at this price point.
Also in Santiago Centro
View all2 venues changed rank in Santiago Centro this week → See full zone ranking
How We Rank Venues
Rankings are recalculated monthly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this month.
How our monthly rankings work