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Eating out is an intrinsic part of the Andalusian lifestyle. Whether it’s sharing some tapas with friends over a prelunch drink or a three-course à la carte meal, many Andalusians eat out at some point during the day. Unsurprisingly, there are literally thousands of bars and restaurants throughout the region catering to all budgets and tastes.
At lunchtime, check out the daily menus (menús del día) offered by many restaurants, usually three courses and excellent value (expect to pay €8–€15, depending on the type of restaurant and location). Roadside restaurants, known as ventas, usually provide good food in generous portions and at reasonable prices. Be aware that many restaurants add a service charge (cubierto), which can be as much as €3 per person, and some restaurant prices don’t include value-added tax (impuesto sobre el valor añadido/I.V.A.) at 10%.
Andalusians tend to eat later than their fellow Spaniards—lunch is 2–4 pm, and dinner starts at 9 pm (10 pm in the summer). In cities, many restaurants are closed Sunday night (fish restaurants tend to close on Monday) and in inland towns and cities, some close for all of August.
Sweet and savory treats come into their own at this family-owned business in the city center. Top of the specialty list are piononos (sponge bites filled with caramel and custard) and pastela (Moroccan chicken pie). Eat in with a drink at the bar or in the small cafeteria space, or take out to feast on in one of the nearby squares.
Named for the father of modern bullfighting, this restaurant opposite the bullring is packed with bullfight paraphernalia and photos of previous diners who include Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles. Mounted bulls' heads peer down at you as you eat choricitos al vino blanco de Ronda (small sausages in Ronda white wine), rabo de toro Pedro Romero (slow-cooked oxtail stew with herbs), or perdices estofados (braised partridge).
One of the best Spanish omelets in town (this one has caramelized onions and aioli on the side), prime Spanish meat (you cook your own on sizzling stone slabs), and a good choice of vegetarian options make this small venue worth seeking out. There’s also a range of organic dishes, including local cheeses and wines. Inside, original beams and wine-lined walls make for a relaxing atmosphere, while the tiny outdoor terrace makes a great spot for a little something and a slice of that omelet.
This bar and restaurant, just off Plaza Nueva, is in a 17th-century palace with a stunning patio (complete with original marble columns) and peaceful garden. The menu emphasizes meat dishes such as chuletas de cordero (lamb chops) and the house specialty, braised rabo de toro and giant croquettes known as croquetón. Eat in the lovely downstairs patio or in the elegant restaurant upstairs.
Local cooking meets Moroccan cuisine in one of the best fusion menus in the province at this venue with small dining spaces and an Arabian theme. White prawns, tuna croquettes (fig and goat cheese salad), and wild boar with quince sit perfectly next to pastela (game pie), lamb tajine, and chicken dishes. Make your dessert Moroccan with mint tea and traditional sweets.
Run by Basque chef Álvaro Arriaga, this restaurant sits on the top floor of the Museo de la Memoria de Andalucía just outside the city (it's well worth the taxi drive) and has panoramic views of Granada with the Sierra Nevada behind. Choose from two tasting menus (€80 for six dishes and €100 for nine dishes), both with one surprise after another and available with Andalusian wine pairing.
Exquisite Andalusian food with a contemporary twist is served at this somber yet elegant restaurant with three small dining rooms, all with cherrywood-paneled walls and dramatic contemporary artwork. Try the arroz de cigala y espárragos verdes (rice with crayfish and asparagus) or bacalao con crema de espinacas y garbanzos fritos (cod with spinach and fried chickpeas).
A charming surprise nestled at the foot of the Albayzín by the Darro, this sleek contemporary space in the shadow of the Alhambra offers a selection of specialties. The diverse menu includes Spanish omelet with yellow chili, char-grilled avocado with fresh tuna, and grilled meats. There's also an extensive rice menu, including a vegetarian paella. The outermost tables on the terrace have stunning views of the Alhambra and its foothills, particularly at night.
A few blocks from the Mezquita, this place is a beautiful spot for tea, with a courtyard, side rooms filled with cushions, and a shop selling Moroccan clothing. It's open daily noon–10 pm.
Just a few minutes' walk from the Plaza de las Tendillas and opposite the lovely San Miguel Church, this popular tapas spot—also known as the Casa el Pisto (Ratatouille House)—was established in 1880. You can choose to squeeze in at the bar and dine on tapas (from €4) or spread out a little more on the patio decked with ceramics and bullfighting memorabilia, where half and full portions are served. Legendary toreador Manolete is particularly revered here. The menu is one long list of typical local dishes, so expect to find oxtail, salmorejo, flamenquín (bacon-wrapped pork loin that's breaded and fried), and, of course, pisto (ratatouille), plus the daily special stew.
This cozy restaurant offers an excellent selection of fish and meat dishes. It's renowned for its Almadraba tuna (traditionally hand-lined and caught in Zahara de los Atunes on the Cádiz coast) cooked any which way and always delicious. Particular highlights are the tataki and cured tuna on toast. Other must-tries include the seaweed croquettes with an oloroso sherry sauce, squid burgers with a miso sauce, and the black pudding and pine nut samosas. There’s also an excellent range of rice dishes including the house special, risotto de ortiguillas (sea anemone). Sit inside in the cozy dining room under the signature tuna lamps or outside on the pleasant shady terrace.
Slightly off the beaten tourist trail and with a lively local vibe, this tavern-style venue specializes in traditional local cuisine such as salmorejo and oxtail, but you'll also find creative touches on the menu in the form of tuna marinated in ginger and flamenquin with a chocolate sauce. Most dishes are available as tapas and half or full plates, and all can be paired with local wines and house beer. Expect a warm welcome from the owners and their staff.
Located one block from the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, this small bar has the best position on the leafy square and a pleasant outside terrace. Despite the tiny kitchen, the menu stretches long and includes glazed artichokes, red tuna tartare, and Iberian pork cuts.
Underneath the arches just off Puerta Real, this modern bar and restaurant has a reputation for being one of Granada's chicest venues. It's known for fresh seafood, including oysters and red shrimp, though generous portions of chargrilled steaks, steak tartare, and fresh foie gras are a hit with carnivores. The cocktail list is extensive.
Chef Gonzalo Jurado combines tradition and evolution (trad + evo) at this coastal-inspired outpost of his restaurant trio, renowned for fresh fish and seafood, sourced daily from nearby Cádiz ports. Choose your catch of the day from the display in glass cabinets at the entrance—price is by weight, so ask the waiter to let you know in advance what you’ll pay—or go à la carte. The menu changes often, but favorite staples include prawn taco, marinated sardines, and fried eggplant. Eat inside among fish-themed decor or outside on the giant terrace and watch life on the bustling square.
If you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian and finding the meat and fish scene in Seville a bit heavy, head for this bar inside the Mercado del Arenal. It started life as Spain’s first vegan bakery in 2009, and since then the menu has grown to encompass breakfast and brunch, plus a long list of 100%-animal-free options to make into burgers, nachos, or wraps. There’s also an excellent value menu del día (€10) at lunchtime, and a choice of pastries and cakes.
This restaurant is slightly off the beaten track but well worth seeking out for traditional Jerez cuisine in a pleasant lively setting. Choose tapas in the bar or à la carte in the spacious and airy dining rooms. The menu comes with a long list of fresh fish and seafood dishes, but specials are local stews. Try the berza jerezana or papas con choco (potatoes with cuttlefish), the ultimate lunchtime comfort food. Always leave room for the tocino de cielo (homemade custard ).
