Restaurants in Spain
-
A
Bar Balneario
Most of the eateries in the Barrio de la Viña are pretty informal places in keeping with its working-class roots, but Bar Balneario has a touch of class. Perhaps that’s why it’s almost always full, but it could also be the arroz señorito (rice with peeled seafood) or arroz negro (black rice, cooked in squid ink). Service is fast and friendly.
reviewed
-
B
Bar-Restaurante Eslava
A legend in its own dinnertime, Eslava shirks the traditional tilework and bullfighting posters of tapas-bar lore and delivers where it matters: fine food backed up with equally fine service.
There's a 'nouvelle' tinge to the memorable costillas a la miel (pork ribs in a honey and rosemary glaze) and vegetable strudel in a cheese sauce, but there's nothing snobby about the atmosphere which is local and pretty fanatical after 9pm. An equally good restaurant (with shared kitchen) sits next door.
reviewed
-
C
Bar-Restaurante Morilla
One of numerous places lying in wait along Calle Sancho IV El Bravo in the heart of the old town, Morilla attracts more locals than other places. They come here for the high-quality tapas and lamb dishes, and an outstanding cazuela de pescados y mariscos (fish-and-seafood stew). Witty waiters scurry between the tables.
reviewed
-
D
Bodega San Francisco
With three dining rooms and tables spilling out onto the narrow pedestrian street, this may well be Ronda’s top tapas bar. The menu is vast and should suit the fussiest of families, even vegetarians with nine-plus salad choices. Try the revuelto de patatas (scrambled eggs with potatoes and peppers). House wine is good.
reviewed
-
E
Café Bar Las Teresas
The hanging hams look as ancient as the bar itself, a sinuous wrap-around affair with just enough room for two stout waiters to pass carrying precariously balanced tapas plates. The atmosphere is dark but not dingy, the food highly traditional, and the crowd an integrated mix of tourists and Santa Cruz locals.
reviewed
-
F
Casa Aranda
Casa Aranda is in a narrow alleyway next to the market and, since 1932, has been the place in town to enjoy chocolate and churros (tubular-shaped doughnuts). The cafe has taken over the whole street with several outlets all overseen by a team of mainly elderly white-shirted waiters who welcome everyone like an old friend (most are).
Join the flat-capped men, market-stall sellers, gossiping grandmas and mothers with tots. The chocolate is rich and as thick (and sinful) as double cream. At least you can restrict your churro intake, just one costs €1. Or you can buy to go from cheerful Juan, who prepares the churros in a small and smoky streetside space.
reviewed
-
G
Casa Mazal
A meal here makes a fine complement to the nearby Casa de Sefarad museum, as it brings the Sephardic (Judeo-Spanish) tradition to the table. A sort of culinary diaspora, Sephardic dishes contain elements of Andalucian, Turkish, Italian and North African cuisine, with such varied items as Syrian lentil salad, honeyed eggplant fritters and minas (a matzo-based vegetarian lasagna) on the menu.
reviewed
-
H
Cisco y Tierra
All the tapas here come from cans, or are preserved in some other way – but that’s nowhere near as dismal as it sounds. Try the special cheese, a super-aged manchego with a caramel-like richness, or the aged hams. The ceiling is decorated with policemen’s hats, siphon bottles and other knick-knacks, while romantic tunes crackle from a vintage-look radio behind the bar.
reviewed
-
I
Confitería La Campana
La Campana has been heaving with sugar addicts since 1885, and workers and the elite alike storm Seville’s most popular bakery for a yema (a soft, crumbly biscuit cake wrapped like a toffee), or a delicious nata (custard cake) that quivers under the glass.
It’s about the only business left on this road that hasn’t been gobbled up by a multinational – hopefully its maturity and quality will keep it safe for a while longer.
reviewed
-
J
Delorean Bar de Tapas
Makes sense that the cheapest tapas in town are amid the alternative club zone – hipsters have to eat too. It's cheap but tasty; beyond the burgers, there's eggplant in vinaigrette sauce, flamenquín balls (croquettes of rolled ham and cheese), mushroom quesadillas and more. It's a youthful hang-out but it respects one time-honored tradition: free tapas with every beer.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Duo Tapas
Missed by the masses who rarely wander north from the Alameda de Hércules, Duo Tapas is 'new school' to El Rinconcillo's 'old school.' But, what it lacks in azulejos tiles and illustrious past patrons, it makes up for in inventive tapas with an Asian twist. Alameda trendies swear by its green chicken with rice and spicy noodles.
reviewed
-
L
El Astronauta
Located on a busy corner near the Roman temple, the Astronauta whips up zesty salads, sandwiches and meals, with an emphasis on fresh, healthy ingredients. The decor is cosmic, the vibe alternative and the local clientele loyal.
reviewed
-
M
El Jardín
Located within confessional distance of the cathedral, this Viennese-style cafe-restaurant has an evocative feel with its lofty columns, ornate furniture and old-fashioned piano with candlesticks. The menu showcases Andalucian cuisine with the speciality being paella. Enjoy live tango and flamenco at weekends.
reviewed
-
N
El Pilayo
A popular traditionally tiled bar and restaurant, famed for its pescaitos fritos (fried fish) and typical local tapas, including wedges of crumbly Manchego cheese, the ideal accompaniment to a glass of hearty Rioja wine.
reviewed
-
El Tintero
This sprawling, noisy restaurant at the far west end of the beach in El Palo can seat up to 1000 people (so not the place for a romantic dinner for two). There’s no menu, waiters circle the restaurant carrying various seafood dishes and you choose whatever you fancy. The bill is totalled up according to the number and size of the plates on the table at the end of the meal.
reviewed
-
O
Faustino
This is the real deal, a lively atmospheric tapas bar with plenty of seating space in the open traditional atrium decorated with plants, feria posters and bullfighting and religious pictures. Tapas and raciónes are generous. Go with the recommendations like champingnones a la plancha (grilled mushrooms with lashings of garlic). The only downside is the uncomfortable, if pretty, rustic-style painted chairs. Ouch!
reviewed
-
P
Gran Café Bib-Rambla
Granada’s oldest cafe dates back to 1907 when the coffee beans were roasted in the square outside and the milk was brought in daily from surrounding farms. Today, the hot chocolate and churros keep locals coming back.
reviewed
-
Q
Greens & Berries
Conveniently located for benches in the square, this is a great choice if you want to pick up something healthy, fast and filling. Sandwiches include tasty choices like salmon, avocado and lemon, and goat’s cheese and caramelised onion, plus there are soups of the day, fresh fruit smoothies and a wickedly delicious New York cheesecake.
reviewed
-
R
Heladería Tiggiani
reviewed
-
S
Herb & Spice Stalls
reviewed
Advertisement
-
T
Hicuri
Colourful Lantino-inspired murals cover the walls at this spacious restaurant that specialises in vegetarian food with a few dishes for diehard carnivores, including pork tenderloin and chicken salad. Tofu and seitan are liberally used in dishes, and classic Spanish puds are given the eco treatment with organic eggs and soy milk.
reviewed
-
U
Horno de San Buenaventura
reviewed
-
V
La Boca
Trendy for a reason, this cutting-edge eatery whips up exciting global variations with traditional ingredients, then presents them in eye-catching ways: Iberian pork on a bed of Thai noodles? Zuheros cheese garnished with sun-dried tomatoes? Why not? Dine in one of the cosy salons or take a table in the courtyard. Reservations are essential on weekends.
reviewed
-
W
La Candela
For a taste of hip Realejo, stop in at this golden-lit bar where the house speciality is the montaditos, slices of bread topped with all manner of meats, veggies and cheese. Pick one or two from the epic list to round out your tapa allotment. They’re artfully (slowly) constructed one by one, but you can pass the time checking out concert posters and fellow drinkers’ tattoos.
reviewed
-
X
La Casa del Dulce
Stop by La Casa del Dulce and ogle the trays of freshly-baked mantecada biscuits; a delicious crumbly speciality based on almonds and topped with icing sugar. Don’t worry, they can’t be that sinful – they’re made by nuns.
reviewed