For an intimate and avant-garde dining experience, NM by Nacho Manzano in Oviedo invites guests into a stunning, stark white space that feels like stepping into a cloud-like haven—the perfect setting to savor every bite as if it were your own restaurant. With only 25 guests max allowed per night, the restaurant showcases the spectacular interior design by Hazard Studio, led by Alfredo Rodríguez, who also designed Manzano’s other project, Nastura. “It has a very inspiring interior decor where I can create, innovate, and be a little bolder, and where the guests are witnesses of everything that is happening there,” says Manzano. Nestled in a city on the rise as a gastronomic capital, NM was awarded a Michelin star in its first year, continuing to inspire culinary evolution and making it a must-visit destination for exceptional dining experiences in Oviedo.
This family-owned bar-turned-hip restaurant in Cangas del Narcea is a culinary cornerstone that has delighted patrons since 1915. Under the stewardship of brothers Pepe and Kike Ron, who are prominent figures in Asturian cuisine, this establishment has evolved into a must-visit dining destination. It’s bustling every night open and if you’re looking to sit down for dinner, you better call far in advance. Their mother, Engracia, still graces the bar with her presence after nearly 66 years. Kike’s signature vermouth, La Trucha Cautiva, crafted from Albillo grapes, is a must along a Gilda or two before dinner. And standout dishes like the best steak tartare are considered the best in the region.
What to Do
In Lastres, a quaint fishing village, Anchoas Hazas owners Ana and Agustín have revived the town’s historic canning tradition, which has evolved into a stylish storefront that makes for a great stop to or from the village. Each Cantabrian anchovy is treated with the care usually reserved for fine jewels. Caught at their peak in spring and meticulously hand-cleaned, these anchovies are bathed in refined olive oil, resulting in silky, umami-rich morsels that will leave you contemplating suitcase space for a stash. It’s a culinary shrine that encapsulates Asturias’s commitment to quality and tradition. They are the best anchovies you’ll ever consume, I promise—and once you’ve tried them, you’ll continue to spot them at some of Asturias’s finest dining spots.
No trip to Asturias is complete without diving into its cider culture at Sidra Trabanco in Gijón. Learn the traditional art of cider-making and perfect your pour—a ritual that’s as much about showmanship as flavor. Don’t miss Alicia, either, their breakthrough product described as the “Champagne of cider,” handcrafted and selected from the best wooden chestnut barrels. Yolanda Trabanco, director of marketing and sales, offers fascinating insights into the role of women in this traditionally masculine sector.
Picos de Europa National Park
For adventurers, Picos de Europa National Park offers jaw-dropping vistas that will have you reaching for your camera at every turn. The range is home to gorges, caves, walking trails, and lots of world-renowned Cabrales cheese. The Cangas de Onís Sunday market also is a must for the artisan cheese stalls alone. Pack a gourmet picnic and spend the day immersed in one of Spain’s most awe-inspiring natural landscapes. Afterward, stop in Tielve for a mountainside dose of local atmosphere and fabada at Bar El Carteru La Bolera. Note: the roads are tiny and windy and not for the faint of heart.
Truth be told, there’s so much to do in Asturias that it’s hard to narrow it down. Sit down with Elena Borches, owner of TourAsturias, who will get to know you and curate the coolest day(s) based on what you’re interested in and throw out many hidden gems along the way. From a historical tour around Oviedo to see the UNESCO World Heritage buildings from the 9th century to Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias, a hidden gem where three buildings collide: the Palacio de Velarde, the House of Oviedo-Portal, and the House of Solís-Carbajal (and it’s always free). For an artsy day, stroll around Gijon for architecture and hip art galleries, plus sidra—and surfing, if you’re up for it! Or, trek out to the Jurassic Coast to see the Bay of Biscay’s dramatic cliffs and fossilized dinosaur tracks, dating back over 150 million years, embedded in thes shoreline. Borchers’s approach to showcasing Asturias is one of a kind.
