One of a number of options offered up for comped meals by a festival where I was a guest, many of…read morethe other guests (Spaniards, and natives of Avilés) strongly suggested that L'Alfarería was the best of them. Traditional Asturian food, which is generally rustic and hearty. They are apparently particularly noted for their cachopo, two veal fillets sandwiching Spanish ham and cheese, breaded and fried. I did not try it on that occasion, but did enjoy the eggplant moussaka and grilled beef. Very much a local's place, with local color, and very conveniently close to the historic center of the town.

Excellent Spanish food in an authentic setting. Very convenient to the city center. We had…read moreexcellent vegetarian dishes, including fresh salad with oil and vinegar dressing, breaded vegetables and tempeh, and mushroom risotto, accompanied by Trabanco Asturian cider and cervesas. The service was very accommodating of our poor Spanish. Definitely worth trying.

An amazing restaurant. I came here twice during a recent trip. The first time, I ordered the…read more"Cachopo" which is a classic Asturian dish. It consists of two slices of veal separated by ham and melted cheese. I know it sounds like cordon bleu but the cheese was some delicious asturian cheese that tastes nothing like Swiss. The whole thing is deep fried and served atop french fries which in classic Spanish fashion don't come with catsup. On my second trip we ordered fried mushrooms as an appetizer. My wife ordered pulpo (octopus) with pasta. Then I walked with the waiter up to the front and pointed out a huge crab which they prepared for 38 euros a kg (it turned out to be exactly 1 kg). They brewed up the internal crab mustard & roe in its shell like the world's most hideous (and tasty) soup bowl. Yum.

When we first arrived in Avilés, this was dismissively described to us as the "Asturian…read moreMcDonald's". However, it always seemed to have customers, including locals, and we learned that mostly the complaint was that it was a chain that pushed a kind of kitschy Asturian image with its giant barrels, its sawdust, and the ostentatious buckets scattered around to be used when the waiters served cider in the peculiar Asturian fashion (note: do not empty your glass if you don't want them to immediately try to refill it). So we tried it, starting with their selection of sausage and an excellent cheese from Asturias, and went on to try a torto heaped with peppers and chicken and a rapa (a kind of Asturian fried bread pizza, sort of) with roasted meat. Both were delicious. So much so that we returned soon after with friends, and sampled more of their food, particularly a delicious cachopo (an Asturian speciality, a sandwich of ham and cheese between fillets of veal, breaded and fried) and a collection of fried chicken breast pieces served with Cabrales cheese. Lots of wait staff, all very attentive, good atmosphere. A bonus: they sell Asturian specialities at the front of the store, including a selection of cheeses and cured meat.

This restaurant got great reviews so I decided to check it out. It was only a block from where I…read morewas staying in Aviles, so it was an easy choice. When I arrived, I was given the menu and I chose to get a grilled Merluze (Hake). It came with potatoes. I asked for it with no salt, as Spanish cuisine tends to be too salty for my taste. As I waited for my meal, I was given bread, which I ate...in many parts of Spain, any bread you get is an extra charge. The fish came nicely grilled, tender on the inside and nicely browned on the outside. The flavor was good and the seasoning was low, basically no salt. I asked for pepper and it made my dish perfect for me. Lots of locals were eating here, so i's not a tourist trap. They take credit cards.

From the owner: Fundado en el año 64 por Antonio y Antonia, venidos de Málaga, durante el auge de Avilés con la…read morefabricona ENSIDESA. Empezaron con el bar, ampliándose más tarde al local adjunto para dar comidas. Un bar totalmente familiar desde su creación. Tras la jubilación de sus fundadores pasa a ser alquilado. Después de un tiempo, las hijas, tras una gran remodelación del local, toman de nuevo las riendas del negocio.