Restaurante Mesón de Cándido

We had such a great experience there! We were there 1pm on Tuesday, it was already very busy. We didn’t book a table but we were lucky enough to have a table! Because when we went in a few minutes after it opened, the restaurant was packed! We ordered 1 portion of a suckling pig, and a potato truffle omelet. Both of them were amazing! The owner of the restaurant himself did a small breaking the plate show to us and also to every room that day! It was amazing! Definitely recommend! (And the view from the restaurant is the Segovia Aqueduct itself! Truly beautiful). And the staffs are very nice.

Service at this restaurant is extraordinary, with delicious “cochinillo” and great environment and location at Segovia. Promptly welcomed for our 1pm reservation, and fortunate to be seated at a central location upstairs, were served by an ever courteous waiter that was attentive and anticipative to our needs. Following the Cochinillo ceremony by Don Candido, descendant of the founder, we enjoyed the succulent cochinillo and other dishes, and house wine. Reasonable prices. This is a very famous restaurant and destination, but happy to report this is by no means a tourist trap !

Of course it was a must when visiting Segovia. We had a reservation and we didn't have to wait to be shown to our table. The interior is very cozy and the views beautiful. We had the segovian mushroom and grilled Eggplants with ham as starters, duck and the suckling pig as entre and as dessert the sogovian ponche cake. All very tasty, especially the two starters stole the show. The staff were really friendly and tried to help us considering our very limited Spanish.

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.

Love the history, not only of the history of the building, but the legacy of the 4 generations of the family ownership. The food was good, the presentations are great...service...not so much. But I would recommend them overall. Enjoy the Succulent Pig...it is great!

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.

It is a historical rustic house located right next to the picturesque Roman aqueduct. The view of the aqueduct was stunning while dining in this beautiful charming restaurant. It is known (could be the original) for their regional suckling pig dish. The pig was well roasted and melted in my mouth😋. However, it was big with a leg bone attached to it which made it hard to cut it with a butter knife. We also did not get a chance to witness the carving of the pig that some reviews mentioned. We had Jamon Iberian and crawfish as appetizers which were pretty good but not unique. We made our reservation at 4:30pm not knowing that they had to close by 6pm until we got to the dessert time, which they offered, but then rescinded the dessert within in 5 minutes because the kitchen was closed. So we had to rush through dinner without desserts or much drinks 😳

I was a group of seven and we were able to sit outside for lunch. Most in the group ordered the sucking pig and they enjoyed it. I ordered the chicken - I wasn’t what I expected but was okay. There was also an order of fish, which was the best meal at the table.