Must-see restaurants in Spain

  • Lacava bar awning with name of bar.

    laCava.bar

    El Centro & El Arenal

    Original tapas, a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere and a prime central location, laCava is one of the better options in the city's touristy centre. It…

  • exterior with awning and tables

    Café Bar Las Teresas

    Catedral & Barrio de Santa Cruz

    The hanging hams look as ancient as the bar itself, a sinuous wraparound affair with a cheerfully cluttered interior. Locals congregate at the bar while…

  • Multicoloured cupcakes at Celicioso.

    Celicioso

    Chueca

    Gluten-free options are rare in Madrid, but Celicioso makes up for that lack with its selection of coeliac-friendly pastries. You can grab a table and…

  • El Lateral located in Plaza Santa Ana.

    El Lateral

    Madrid

    One of the better bars surrounding Plaza de Santa Ana, El Lateral does terrific pinchos (snacks), the perfect accompaniment to the fine wines on offer…

  • Ice-cream counter at Soler.

    Soler

    Valencia

    Most come for silky-smooth ice cream and sorbet but Soler also has 40-plus years’ experience making two local delicacies: horchata (a sweet drink made…

  • Arte y Sabor restaurant.

    Arte y Sabor

    La Macarena & Alameda de Hércules

    People-watching and eating go hand in hand at this casual eatery on the Alameda de Hércules. Grab a table – though you'll need to come early – and go…

  • Carmela Restaurante

    Granada

    Traditional tapas updated for the 21st century are the star turn at this smart all-day cafe-restaurant at the jaws of the Realejo quarter. Bag a table in…

  • Xanacuk, nestled between stores in the Chueca neighbourhood.

    Xanacuk

    Chueca

    This juice and salad bar is very veggie-friendly and locals and tourists alike enjoy stopping in for a healthy boost. With options for vegetarians and…

  • Seaweed pork laksa at Laksa restaurant.

    Rockata

    La Ribera

    Not much more than a corridor with a kitchen, Rockata is the 2017 incarnation of a laksa bar, and has maintained a bowl of it (prawn, since you ask) on…

  • Lamian's bar.

    Lamian by Soy Kitchen

    Malasaña & Conde Duque

    This Asian tavern specialises in different types of lamian, a Thai ramen soup. You can also try dim sum, mackerel tartare, succulent seabass with a hint…

  • Seafood tapas and beers at Restaurante Llevant.

    Restaurante Llevant

    Valencia's Beaches

    A beachside restaurant in a century-old house focused on simple, traditional food. Known for its rice dishes, Llevant’s wood-fired paella is considered up…

  • Duotapas sign and tiles on wall.

    Duo Tapas

    La Macarena & Alameda de Hércules

    Exciting tapas go hand in hand with a casual, bustling vibe at this 'new-school' bar just off the Alameda de Hércules. Squeeze yourself into a table and…

  • Deli counter at Ultramarinos Agustin Rico

    Ultramarinos Agustín Rico

    Valencia

    On a busy corner, this spacious deli and bar is decorated with legs of jamón (ham) and shelves of wine. Perch at the bar to enjoy, or order a bocadillo to…

  • Street view of La Tasqueta del Mercat with Ruzafa Market in the background

    La Tasqueta del Mercat

    Valencia

    Asian-influenced tapas are delicious at this bustling modern eatery near the market. Options are available à la carte or through a series of sampler menus…

  • Vineria Sam Telmo interior with tables

    Vinería San Telmo

    Catedral & Barrio de Santa Cruz

    San Telmo's innovative tapas continue to wow diners, and its tables, either outside or in the brick tiled interior, are a prized commodity. Bag one, for…

  • La Mucca's outdoor patio.

    La Mucca de Pez

    Malasaña & Conde Duque

    The only problem with this place is that it's such an agreeable spot to spend an afternoon it can be impossible to snaffle a table. An ample wine list…

  • Book Restaurant

    Valencia

    Clean modern lines, quirky decor and a quiet, in-the-know atmosphere mark this little place out as something of a standout. An array of riffs on classic…

  • El Arrogante on a Saturday night.

    El Arrogante

    Madrid

    Considered one of Madrid’s 'neotaverns', this twist on the traditional tavern offers well-loved Spanish dishes, such as octopus or croquettes, amid decor…

  • Zombie Bar's blue and brick facade.

    Zombie Bar

    Malasaña & Conde Duque

    Madrid's passion for burgers shows no signs of abating. If anything, the quality just keeps getting better. Zombie Bar, on Malasaña's most happening…

  • The entire menu is displayed outside of La Finca de Susana.

    La Finca de Susana

    Madrid

    It’s difficult to find a better combination of price, quality cooking and classy atmosphere anywhere in Huertas. The softly lit dining area has a…

  • Street view of Panorama

    Panorama

    Valencia's Beaches

    Panorama is a sleek restaurant and bar with stunning views of the beach. The open-air terrace is a great spot for a drink, and floor-to-ceiling windows in…

  • Street view of Dulce de Leche

    Pastelería Dulce de Leche

    Western Valencia

    Always busy, this barrio patisserie-cafe does a splendid range of delicious cakes; it's pretty tough to choose. There are also decent savoury options,…

  • 5 Jotas sign on wall and awnings

    Cinco Jotas

    El Centro & El Arenal

    Cinco Jotas is one of Spain's best-known jamón producers, famous for its Ibérico ham from the small village of Jabugo in southern Andalucía. Not…

  • Friends gather outside of Confitería El Riojano.

    Confitería El Riojano

    Madrid

    Founded in 1855, this place serves the usual suspects, as well as traditional Madrid offerings such as azucarillos (meringue-like sugar bombs) of lemon,…

  • Entrance door

    Taberna Coloniales Catedral

    El Centro & El Arenal

    The sister outfit, and more touristy version, of the Taberna Coloniales San Pedro in the Arenal quarter. Grab a marble-top table and sit down to decent,…

  • Mercado Municipal

    Santa Cruz de la Palma

    Situated on the site of a 16th-century house-hospital dedicated to Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows), this excellent market is the place…

  • Zalacaín

    Madrid

    Where most other fine-dining experiences centre on innovation, Zalacaín is a bastion of tradition, with a refined air and loyal following. The pig’s…

  • Casa Lac

    Zaragoza

    The grande dame of Zaragoza dining, Casa Lac opened in 1825 and is reputedly Spain's oldest licensed restaurant. The cuisine today is tastily contemporary…

  • El Alfar

    Castilla-La Mancha

    Concentrating on exquisitely prepared La Mancha specialities, Consuegra’s most ambitious restaurant is also something of a museum, inhabiting an old…

  • Café Royalty

    Cádiz

    Originally opened in 1912 on the centenary of the 1812 constitution, the restored Royalty was once a discussion corner for the intellectuals of the day,…

  • Casa Delfín

    La Ribera

    One of El Born's culinary delights, Casa Delfín is everything you dream about Catalan–Mediterranean cooking in a traditional-style. Lined with wine…

  • Lena

    Asturias

    Under the command of Michelin-starred Asturian chef Jaime Uz, this 'sidrería gastronómica' delivers tip-top Asturian cooking with an original touch, plus…

  • Bar Melo’s

    La Latina & Lavapiés

    There’s no tradition of kebab shops for midnight attacks of the munchies, but there’s always Bar Melo’s. One of those Spanish bars that you’d normally…

  • Albores

    Jerez de la Frontera

    Pitching itself among age-old city-centre favourites, Albores brings a contemporary edge to local flavours and traditional recipes with its original,…

  • Xavier Pellicer

    L'Eixample

    Creatively spiced, delicately grilled or sizzlingly stir-fried – beautifully fresh, organic local vegetables leap into the spotlight at top chef Xavier…

  • Aiguaclara

    Palafrugell & Around

    Draped in flowers and fairy lights, this buzzy, retro-chic restaurant and lounge bar fronts a beautiful 1866 mansion. Superbly updated Catalan delights on…

  • Bodegas Binifadet

    Menorca

    Set on an elegant vine-shaded terrace, the excellent restaurant of Menorca's outstanding winery offers lightly inventive island-inspired cuisine starring…

  • Gresca Bar

    L'Eixample

    From the team behind smart restaurant Gresca (with whom it shares an open-plan kitchen), this elegant gold-and-green wine and tapas bar is a whispered…

  • Xemei

    Barcelona

    Everyone's favourite Italian, Xemei ('Twins' in Venetian) is a wonderful, authentically delicious slice of Venice in Barcelona, named for its twin…

  • Tepic

    Salamanca

    Tepic offers ‘Urban Mexican Food’ in chic bar or dining rooms and with friendly service. Its signature dish is the Acapulco Tropical, a cheese taco with…

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