Extremadura
Don't be put off by the name – yes, it's informal in the finest Spanish sense, but this is one of the top places in town to sample the local jamón. A…
Must-see restaurants in Spain
Bilbao
A creaky old place full of ancient furnishings, Claudio has scarcely changed since it opened in 1948. As you'll guess from the name and the hams hanging…
Andalucía
Good honest mountain staples – grilled meats, croquettes, revueltos (Spanish-style scrambled egg dishes) and salads – rule the menu at this centrally…
Serra de Tramuntana
The pick of the places on Plaça de la Vila, this countrified restaurant at the Hotel Can Xim rolls out Mallorcan specialities with a few innovative twists…
Cerdanya
Pair crisp Catalan wines with equally invigorating views at this friendly restaurant. Terrace diners can enjoy panoramas of Puigcerdà's slate rooftops and…
Barcelona
At this eye-catching little cafe, brought to you by Barcelona's famous pastelería Canals, the humble churro receives a dramatic makeover: it's fried in…
Barcelona
This friendly, unfussy old-timer serves affordable, nicely turned out tapas plates. Seafood is the speciality, with rich razor clams, garlic-fried prawns…
Andalucía
Run by Mexican ex-pat Ulísses, this back street hole-in-the-wall sets a cheery tone with its flamboyant decor of papel picado (colourful Mexican paper…
El Raval
Catalan chef Teresa Carles' self-styled 'healthy flexitarian restaurant' is a chic, sprawling, palm-dotted world where 80% of the menu is plant-based (20%…
La Gomera
This buzzy blue-washed shack, tucked away at the eastern end of town, is part laid-back beach-bar and part friendly restaurant starring the fruits of the…
Lanzarote
Sunny terrace tables, regular live music and a cosy, cave-like red-walled interior create a buzzy setting for deliciously simple tapas and sharing…
Granada
A glassed-in, split-level gastrobar and strong wines set the contemporary-cuisine tone at elegant Alameda, where traditional, seasonal Andalucian and…
Picos de Europa
On the main road, beside the Poncebos junction, Cares is one of the best-value restaurants for miles. It does well-priced lunch and dinner menús,…
North & Interior Ibiza
Housed in a sun-yellow finca, 3km southeast of Santa Gertrudis, long-running Ama Lur is one of the island's best-regarded restaurants and often wins the…
El Centro & El Arenal
An anomaly in coffee-loving Seville, Rocío’s friendly and welcoming tearoom sits inside central yet quiet Mercado del Arenal, with tables both in the…
Southern Mallorca
Set back from the ruddy headland that sustains Cala Pi's highly photogenic 16th-century 'fire tower', Restaurante Miguel is a Mallorcan-style 'farmhouse'…
Santa Cruz de la Palma
Occupying an old Canary house on the seafront with balconies bursting with colourful flowers, La Lonja is one of the most popular restaurants in town,…
Las Alpujarras
Sample Válor specials like goat's cheese, olive oil and partridge at this cosy bar-restaurant downhill from the main road. Seasonal treats might include…
Girona
Walls are draped in jasmine and tables spill out onto stairs climbing to a 17th-century church at this local favourite. The classic bistro-style menu…
Ciutadella
Down by the water, this 1970s old-timer remains one of Ciutadella’s classic seafood stops, and there's often a queue for tables. You can eat outside on…
Formentera
An excellent-value set lunch menu (€11) and platters of cold meats and local cheeses are among the key attractions at this unpretentious, locally popular…
L'Eixample
Movie stills and posters, from Breakfast at Tiffany's to Pulp Fiction, line the walls at Charlot. Get a morning kick-start with a truffled tortilla …
Eastern Basque Country
With little porthole-style mirrors, old shipping maps and pictures of elegant schooners on the walls, there's no doubt that this white tablecloth…
Lanzarote
Tucked into the marvellous Manrique-designed Jameos del Agua lava caves, this beautifully positioned restaurant serves all the Canarian classics, from…
Córdoba
If oxtail tacos, red-tuna tataki, or a salad of duck-prosciutto and mango in walnut vinaigrette sound appetising, you'll like La Boca. This inventive…
Toledo
Fabulously located La Ermita sits across the Río Tajo gorge from the city, meaning you'll have the tangled medieval core of Toledo spread before you while…
L'Eixample & Southern Valencia
Uncomplicated and likeable, this long-standing smallgoods shop has a bar and squeezes in a couple of tables at mealtimes. Sampler plates of things like…
Southern Mallorca
Despite the name, Alchemy has little to do with molecular gastronomy or culinary experimentation. With its pretty courtyard, slick bistro interior and…
Bilbao
Near the San Antonio bridge, this easy-going spot draws mostly locals who come for hearty plates of roast chicken, salads topped with seafood or roast…
La Gomera
Folded into a natural cave beside a small chapel at the west end of town, with leafy dangling plants, low lighting and earthy-red tablecloths, well…
Castilla y León
This fine restaurant in the heart of Covarrubias is recommended for its robust traditional dishes, cooked in a wood-fired oven. You can sample the…
Gijón
Shiny gastrobar Gloria's shortish but sweet menu includes the likes of blanched octopus in a garlicy sauce, or veal ribs with chimichurri, but also…
Menorca
Amid Maó's long line of portside restaurants offering delicacies pulled from Menorca's seas, S’Espigó stands out, with its smart menu featuring grilled…
L'Eixample
This stylish restaurant delivers on its promise of an Argentinian meat-fest. Start with empanades (meat-stuffed pastries), then head for a hearty main,…
Basque Country
This elegant restaurant rambles over several white-clothed dining spaces, including a glass-roofed terrace filled with greenery and flowers. Cutting-edge…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
Amid white stone walls and a beamed ceiling, this buzzing, easy-going place serves a broad selection of tapas as well as changing daily specials like…
Toledo
Toledo doffs its hat to fine dining at this temple of good food and market freshness. Run by notable La Mancha–born chef Adolfo Muñoz, the restaurant has…
Southern Mallorca
Located in an old windmill on the road leading east from Santanyí, this sprawling stone-built restaurant has a lovely garden terrace shaded by palms and…
Barcelona
Deliciously uncomplicated cuina de mercat (market cuisine) based on quality seasonal ingredients is the thing at Casa Dorita, which honours a long line of…
Castilla y León
El Aljibe varies a little from the Medinaceli norm with a bright, contemporary dining area and occasional subtle twists on traditional dishes – we…
