The finest restaurants in the world are at the end of a 25 km walk.
All along the pilgrimage, restaurants, bars, and pensions offer a Menu del Dia to pilgrims for a price of €8 to €12. This price includes a choice of starter such as soup, spaghetti or salad; main course of thin steak (chicken or veal), ribs or something else like trout, always served with French fries; a dessert; and either bottled water or local wine (usually a half bottle).
Some pilgrims carry food as some albergues have kitchens, but those kitchens don’t always have pots and pans! I haven’t seen anyone sporting pots on their backpacks.
We support the local (suffering) economy and our (very healthy) appetites by eating all meals out. One morning we walked 9 km before finding coffee and breakfast. That coffee, omelette and bread were the best ever!
The other day at about 5 pm we agreed that the first accommodation in the small town looked irresistible so our feet decided that’s where they would stay. The place was a little bar/restaurant with 2 rooms above that serve as a small albergue. We have a room with 2 bunk beds to ourselves, there is another room with some people that we haven’t seen, and we share a nice bathroom.
Dinner was excellent as always.
Seeing Clarely 
“The finest restaurants in the world are at the end of a 25 km walk” should be the title of your travel book.
Good idea!
You must be seriously exhausted/hungry to find that fish appetizing…
and in a very dark restaurant without your glasses.
Let me say that I ate neither the trout, nor the plate of beef kidneys that N ate another evening. She said that both were delicious..
Looks aren’t everything! After 25kms walking a pot noodle can appear appetising – but I tasted some of the best food ever from simple tavernas on the Camino Norte – especially octopus ( and that would not appeal to everyone with all those suckers). Thanks for reminding me.
I completely agree!