Bars and Tapas in Noia
Noia has two main hubs when it comes to sitting down for a drink or a plate or two of tapas. They are the alameda and the medieval district.
The first, the alameda or main town square, sits in front of the town hall and close to an old convent. It is a large paved area, but to one side lies a series of buildings, all with bars at ground floor level. They all overlook the square.
Alameda bars
Cerveoeria Solpor
Overlooking the plaza and near to the town hall is a bar called Cerveoeria Solpor with wicker chairs and white parasols. This was our personal favourite in this area, mainly because it is on the corner and the seating expands into the open without the restrictions of other bars on either side. In the evening they add little night lights to the tables for extra atmosphere. We noticed in 2007 that this bar had raised prices significantly and was no longer busy.
Equs
Next down from Cerveoeria Solpor is Equs and this bar serves the best coffee on the alameda. It also has far and away the largest internal bar area and now has a seperate wine bar (as of 2007). Prices are good, service is excellent and one of the waiters speaks near perfect English and has a friend very close to us in Leeds, England.
Tesis
Next to Equs is Tesis and we can never tell, at least in terms of the outside seating, where one ends and the other starts. Again this is a popular bar, especially at nighttimes, although we rarely go to it.
Sociedad Liceo Noia
Unfortunately the last of the bars, the Sociedad Liceo Noia, is not a bar at all, but the town’s social club. It has a Gym, games room and theatre in addition to the bar, but is for members only.
Bars in the Medieval district
The second main eating and drinking area in Noia is the medieval quarter around the praza de Canton and praza de Tapal (small squares). These are definitely the most atmospheric parts of Noia and the bars that populate these areas benefit from the old world feel that you get as you enter the medieval quarter.
Tasca Tipica (Our recommendation)
Tasca Tipica is the busiest and most popular tapas bar in town with a friendly and genial host (Pepe). It has excellent and varied tapas, is always packed and you can see more by following this link, Tasca Tipica
La Parra
This bar () has a limited tapas menu, but everything it does is exceptional and the lomo and calamares are the best in Noia (in our opinion). It is family owned and run and we frequent it often and would recommend it without hesitation.
Canton 17
Again with a tapas menu, this bar can get busy and sits opposite, but just above, la Parra. Like all the bars in the medieval quarter it really comes to life after about 10.00pm.
Zurich Café Bar
Despite its location in the heart of the old district, this bar never seems terribly busy. My explanation is the dated looking seating in front of the bar. Apparently it has a reputation for empanada, but we have never eaten there.
Babilonia Café
Next to Zurch and specialising in ice creams, this bar never quite gets the patron levels of Tasca Tipica, but certainly looks OK and can get busy during summer weekends.
Cafeteria Tapal (Our recommendation)
On the Tapal square and facing the Iglesia de San Martino (church), this is a bar that we often have a drink at in the evening. It is usually a bit quieter than the bars around the Canton and they also serve tapas which we are told is good (although we have yet to try it). The bocadillos (sandwiches in a crusty bread roll) are something that we have tasted and they are excellent. Try the calamares or pork (lomo).
da pepa (Our recommendation)
This bar is also in the Tapal plaza and, up to July 2007, we had never been to it - our mistake. The tapas here is fantastic and the tortilla (particularly with chorizo) is the best that we have had. The calamares, pimientos de Padron and salads are all great as is the service and the rustic interior has a collection of old farm tools on the wall. As with the bar above, this bar is in a great spot with the San Martino church in front of it.
There are of course many more bars in Noia and, in particular, a number facing the bay. These bars are on the ground floor level of some recent apartment developments there. All are good.
