Pandora: From Waffles to Cantabrian Seafood
Why this is here: The restaurant’s evolution from serving churros and chocolate at late hours to offering an elegant spider crab dish demonstrates a significant shift in its culinary focus and commitment to local seafood.
El Pandora restaurant in Avilés, Spain, transitioned from a traditional café selling waffles to a celebrated seafood destination. In 1998, Cristina Pérez and Alberto Villa opened Café Pandora, offering standard café fare like sandwiches and pastries. Their son, Alejandro Villa, trained as a chef and began experimenting with seafood in a makeshift kitchen within the café.
The café gradually transformed as Alejandro’s seafood dishes gained popularity. The bar and stools were removed, and coffee service ceased. Today, El Pandora features a tasting menu priced at 160 euros, showcasing regional products like Cantabrian spider crab and Asturian fabada beans.
Cristina now works in the kitchen while Alberto manages the dining room. The restaurant focuses on simple, quality ingredients and honest cooking, prioritizing product over pretense.