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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.
Tucked away in the warren of alleyways in a restored Albayzín villa, this lovely restaurant offers what may be the best food in the area. There's a formal dining room, an outside garden with pear and quince trees, and a roof terrace with Alhambra views. House specialties include codillo asado con salsa de manzanilla (roast pork with dry sherry). The owner welcomes diners personally and keeps a very close eye on the kitchen.
This eatery has a rustic atmosphere with arches, wooden beams, and a fireplace for winter nights. The chef has worked at several top restaurants, and his menu includes traditional grilled meats as well as innovative dishes such as gazpacho with carrots and sardines, and ham croquettes with a curry sauce. He also creates regular themed menus, often based on a sherry or a local winery. Try the menú de degustación (€75): five courses, each accompanied by a different type of sherry. Both the tapas menu and the wine list are excellent.
At this adventurous restaurant just off the main street, the chef prepares both Spanish classics, like white shrimp from Huelva and slow-roasted local lamb and goat, as well as innovative dishes like tartar de atún rojo con ajo blanco de kimchi (red tuna with garlic soup) and ensalada de helado de Olavidia (salad with award-winning local cheese). There are also plenty of roast meats.
Colorful and informal, this spot near the beach is known for its fried acedia (a type of small sole) and langostinos, which come from these very waters. The seafood paella is also catch-of-the-day fresh. In summer, the place gets packed with vacationers and locals.
Geared toward a tourist clientele, this place is always packed, noisy, and fun, and there is live Spanish guitar music on the roof terrace most summer nights. Antiques and some wonderful old oil paintings fill this three-floor labyrinth of rooms just around the corner from the mosque, near the Judería. A full selection of tapas (from €6) and house specialties includes cochinillo (crispy suckling pig) and the solidly traditional rabo de toro. The croquetas de jamón are reputedly the best in town. Bookings are taken only through the website.
This Bajo de Guía landmark, with a large terrace overlooking the water, serves delicious tuna tartare, chocos (cuttlefish), and exquisite locally caught langostinos de Sanlúcar, particularly recommended when washed down with a glass of local manzanilla. The dining area overlooks the large, busy tapas bar.
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).
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.
