Mesón 42

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”

Quick Verdict

A working neighbourhood anchor where octopus, scallops and churrasco arrive in generous portions, backed by staff who remember names and wine that punches above the price point.

About Mesón 42

Rarer than it sounds in Santiago's centre, a rustic mesón that pulls off both seafood and grilled meat without either feeling like an afterthought. The kitchen here is rooted in Galician tradition with a modern touch: octopus is the dish most people come for, and the chlamys varia and churrasco run close behind, with chipirones rounding out a menu that covers the full range of what this region does best. Tomás is the name to know at the table — his recommendations and easy manner have earned their own mentions. Walk-ins do sometimes get seated, but the place fills fast and a reservation saves the stress. The crepe de nata y miel is how the meal ends, and it earns its place. Not far from the Cathedral, and worth the planning.

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