Restaurante Mesón de Cándido

While in Segovia, I dined at Mesón de Cándido, the city’s legendary spot for roast suckling pig. With such a reputation, expectations were understandably high – but the experience, unfortunately, didn’t quite live up to the hype. We had a dinner reservation, and although the place wasn’t fully booked, the staff’s service felt rather indifferent – not rude, but lacking warmth. It gave off the impression of a restaurant resting on its fame rather than striving to impress. We ordered a salad, pig’s ears with beans, the famous roast suckling pig, and roasted lamb. The pig is undoubtedly the headline item here, but to be honest, it felt overrated. The skin – usually prized for its crispiness – was soft and slightly rubbery, likely due to excess moisture. With better treatment of the skin, the dish could have lived up to its reputation. Surprisingly, the roasted lamb outshone the pig – crisp skin, tender meat, and full of flavor. Overall, while Mesón de Cándido holds undeniable historical significance and name recognition in Segovia, I wouldn’t say it’s a must-visit purely for the food. Unless you’re particularly drawn to the tradition and history of the place, there are probably better culinary options in town.

Meson de Candido in Segovia offers a traditional Castilian dining experience with mixed results across their classic menu offerings. The decent chicken caesar salad provided a familiar, reliable start to the meal without any particular distinction from standard preparations. The interesting mushroom dish, Setas de Segovia, showcased local ingredients but proved a little too earthy for my taste. While clearly fresh and regionally authentic, the intense earthiness may appeal more to mushroom enthusiasts than casual diners seeking milder flavors. The seabass was very good, demonstrating the kitchen's capability with seafood preparation through proper cooking technique and seasoning that highlighted the fish's natural qualities without overwhelming them. The cochinillo (roast suckling pig) - the restaurant's signature dish - was good but could use more herbs and seasoning to elevate it beyond basic preparation. While the meat was tender and properly cooked, it lacked the bold flavors that would make this traditional Segovian specialty truly memorable. The dining experience was significantly enhanced by the stunning location - we loved the view of the Roman aqueduct, which creates an unparalleled backdrop that adds historical grandeur to the meal. This magnificent setting transforms an ordinary dinner into something special, making the restaurant as much about the experience as the food. Meson de Candido succeeds in providing traditional Castilian cuisine in an extraordinary setting, where the breathtaking views of the ancient aqueduct create lasting memories that complement the regional food offerings. Unfortunately, the staff were quite rude and unenthusiastic, rushing us to eat and leave.

Large servings of food. We only wanted one dish but our server said it might not be enough for two. But when it arrived, it was good for at least 2. Oh well, something to eat at the hotel later. Service was very good, we got a table right away. I had the veal steak and it was very tender. My wife had the suckling pig roast and she liked it. The bread and wine are just okay. We also had the poncho segoviano and it was really good.

Lovely super restaurant in a very nice location. All our dishes from starters to steaks and lamb was super. The dessert was a love story by itself The owner is on top of things and he really knows how to satisfy his customers Highly recommended

We make a reservation with two months in advance. The food was amazing. We had the famous cochinillo, the gambas with ear pig, the gazpacho , the patatas and the tortilla with trufa.

Special visit to the most famous asador of Spain. Don Alberto Candido greet us before been seated which was a highlight. The part about presenting the cochinillo and how it is cut with a plate is also a highlight. But the star of the day was the cochinillo which was cooked to perfection and tasted like heaven. We love the ambientation of the asador and the service was spot on!!!

Méson de Candido is situated at the most amazing spot on the earth. Eating under the aqueduct is quite wonderful and awe-inspiring. The conchinillo (suckling pig) is wonderful. The portion looked deceivingly small. The 3 of us had to make an effort to finish it! Making our reservation on line was easy, which I really appreciate. And our waiter was friendly, funny and most hospitable. A most highly recommended experience.

In Segovia aqueduct and was told that this is long history and long standing suckling pic place which is a must try in Spain. I find that it may be acquired taste of the sucking pig but I did enjoy the cutting ceremony by the owner. I must be honest that I enjoyed the red wine the most, the service was good.