La Bóveda is one of the most atmospheric restaurants in Ponferrada's old quarter, built into a stone cellar beneath one of the historic buildings near the castle. The vaulted ceiling and candle-lit tables give it a slightly theatrical quality, but the food is straightforwardly regional: botillo del Bierzo — the local stew of cured pork cuts and chickpeas — is the thing to order, along with a bottle of local Mencía red. It is hearty, filling, and exactly what hungry Camino pilgrims have been eating in this valley for centuries.
The restaurant is popular with both locals and visitors; reservations are advisable in the summer months when pilgrim traffic is at its peak. Prices are moderate by Spanish standards.