A Typical Day of Food on the Camino
Food on the Camino – What to Expect
When you book with CaminoWays.com, your standard package includes half-board in smaller towns—breakfast and dinner, usually at your hotel. In bigger towns and cities, dinner isn’t included so you can explore local restaurants on your own.
Breakfast is light and European-style: coffee or tea, toast, jam, and sometimes ham or cheese.
Lunch is not included. Most pilgrims grab something from a café or pack a picnic with local bread, cheese, and fruit.
Dinner in smaller towns is provided and typically includes three courses—starter, main, and dessert—with bread and water, and sometimes wine. In larger towns, you’re free to dine wherever you like.
Let us know in advance if you have dietary restrictions. Options may be limited in remote areas, but we’ll do our best to accommodate.
In short: expect simple, hearty meals and plenty of chances to try authentic Spanish food along the way.
What’s the food like on the Camino and what will you be eating?
Breakfast on the Camino
Breakfast is always included in your room rate, though the variety depends on the hotel.
Typically, a Continental Breakfast is provided, as cooked breakfasts are not common in France, Spain, Portugal or Italy. Often, you can expect a buffet-style breakfast with selections such as fruit, bread or toast, pastries or cake, cheese and cold meats, along with coffee, tea, and juice.
If you have a preference for specific breakfast cereals or items, it’s advisable to bring them with you or buy them at a local supermarket.
Lunch on the Camino
Lunch is usually arranged on your own. We suggest stopping at a local shop at your starting point or visiting shops in larger towns and villages along your route to pick up necessary items such as water, snacks, and fruit. Depending on the specific section of the Camino or the Camino route you choose, there may also be opportunities to stop at cafés along the way.
Some sections/routes have plenty on offer, while other more remote walking sections will have limited services on the way. Check options on Google Maps or recommendations from your hotel or accommodation before you leave.
Dinner on the Camino
Our standard package includes dinners during the trek (in the smaller locations), and these will be generally the ‘Pilgrim menu’, including different options to choose from for starters, mains and desserts.
Starters typically consist of soup or broth, salad, or fish. Main courses often feature fish or meat accompanied by chips/potatoes and bread. Common desserts include cheesecake, crème caramel, banoffee pie, and ice cream.
Vegetarian options may be available. Please inform us of any dietary preferences at the time of booking so we can notify our suppliers accordingly.
Drinks are usually not included with your meals, though some hotels may offer them at no extra cost at their discretion. Occasionally, some establishments might provide wine for free, but this is not standard practice.
The variety of dishes you will encounter varies by region, as each area offers its own seasonal and local specialities. For instance, you’ll find fish more frequently in Galicia, the Northern Coast, and along the Portuguese coastal regions compared to inland areas.
Check out our video about Food on the Camino below!
Check out our blogs on the Top 10 Camino Dishes on the Camino Francés, What to Eat on the Camino: Culinary Delights or download our complimentary guide to Camino cuisine here: Camino Food eBook.
For more information about food on the Camino, and the Camino de Santiago routes or to book your trip, contact us.
