In Granada a small plate of food is offered with every drink. After a hard day’s sightseeing, this tapa is a very welcome tit-bit served with a refreshing wine, beer or tinto de verano.
Not all tapas are equal, though: some are generous, others are not. While winding your way from bar to bar tapas in the evening is a great way to explore the city, don’t overlook the restaurants in Granada as there are also some fantastic options for a long leisurely lunch.
Here’s LVC’s guide to the best tapas bars and restaurants in Granada:
El Realejo
The old Jewish quarter of Granada has really become tapas central. Make your way to the end of Calle Varela and along Calle Virgen del Rosario and you’ll find restaurant after restaurant with tables spilling out onto the streets. Two great options for tapas or sharing plates are:
1. Casa de Vinos La Brujidera
If we had to choose only one tapas bar in Granada, Casa de Vinos La Brujidera would be it. If you love wine, and yearn for a place where the music, lighting and wine by the glass is absolutely pitch-perfect, then Casa de Vinos is for you.
There aren’t too many places that can match it for real integrity and soul anywhere in Spain.
Calle Monjas del Carmen, 2, 18009 Granada
2. Taberna La Tana
Our second favourite wine bar in Granada is Taberna La Tana. This has suffered a little from its success over the years and this once tiny bar with only standing (bar leaning) room now has expanded next door and outside. Tapas tends to be high quality charcuterie.
Placeta del Agua, 3, 18009 Granada
Albayzin
The Albayzin neighbourhood of Granada has looked out onto the Alhambra Palace since Moorish times. The labyrinthine narrow streets, carved doors, intricate metal work and carmenes (houses with gardens) are still present today.
Plaza Larga is the heart of this neighbourhood, but don’t miss Mirador San Nicolas and Placeta de San Miguel Bajo (pictured).
3. Bar Kiki, Vinos y Otras Cosas…
While its location – sitting next to one of the most touristic spots in Granada – doesn’t initially inspire much confidence, Bar Kiki sits alongside our other selections as a stalwart Albayzin institution.
The tapas is great, and if you want a full meal then the menu is inventive and inspiring. On our last visit tuna heart was on the menu!
Plaza Cementerio de San Nicolas, 9, 18010 Granada
4. Café Gabriel
Just on the edge of the heart of the Albayzin, this restaurant is worth the taxi ride (or stroll up the hill). Meat is its speciality with seating indoors and out on a small square.
Indoors there are tables with coolers in the middle for handy chilled beers or wine for dining. On the terrace you can order drinks and tapas.
Calle Pagés, 29, 18010 Granada
5. Amazonia Fine Food
OK, so we’re very suspicious about restaurants that cross cuisines. But every time we visit Amazonia, plate after plate is served with love and care.
So if you fancy something Greek to Hawaiian, from poke, to tacos and pad thai to kofta, then this is it. There are also lots of plant based options, too.
Carrera del Darro, 37, 18010 Granada
Centre
6. Wild Food
Plant-based dishes and desserts are the main reason you visit this central eatery, but the chic decor, friendly service and buzzy vibe don’t hurt either. A great spot for a coffee and cake or a light bite.
Plaza Isabel la Católica, 5, 18009 Granada
7. Casa Mol
Casa Mol can be found on an unassuming side street towards El Corte Ingles and the river. This small bar has great complimentary tapas, with a short selection of four or five to choose from all made to order. It gets very busy, so get there at 0800 sharp or make a reservation.
Calle Duende, 11, 18005 Granada
8. Pescaderia 4
If you’re fed up of crowded tapas bars and want a meal, then you can’t go far wrong with Pescaderia 4. On the corner of a famous street for fish restaurants in Granada, this bistro-esque restaurant is a great option for a romantic meal.
Order off the specials board and you won’t be disappointed. The octopus with pistachio was a big hit.
Plaza Pescadería, 4, 18001 Granada
9. Lemon Rock
A concept bar, music venue, restaurant and hostel, Lemon Rock is buzzing no matter what time of day (or night) you sidle in.
The food is very much gastrobar, but the atmosphere is stellar with live music on every weekend. If you’re in a large party there are several private rooms to hire of varying sizes.
Calle Montalbán, 6, 18002 Granada
10. Humo El Origen
Brunches and cocktails are the order of the day at Humo. This African-inspired cafe/bar sits alongside the botanical gardens of the University’s Law Faculty. This area of Granada has a student feel with vintage shops, jazz bars and very reasonable lunch spots.
We’ve diligently worked our way through their signature cocktail list – Recuerdos de Aden being a ‘moment’ in itself!
Calle Escuelas, 2, 18001 Granada
11. La Telefonica
Tucked away on a side street off Plaza Bib-Rambla, Telefonica is a relaxed restaurant that’s great for sharing plates or a tapas pit-stop after some retail therapy.
Calle Arco de las Orejas, 1, 18001 Granada
Fine Dining
12. Faralá
Offering international quality food, Faralá wipes the floor with many better known restaurants in Andalucia. High praise indeed, but genuinely fine dining of this calibre is rare in southern Spain… perhaps anywhere.
You enter through a flamenco tablao on the ground floor. It’s a slightly uninspiring first impression, but stick with it and you’re welcomed by a light, comfortable formal dining room on the first floor. There are three tasting menus to choose from and an excellent sommelier on hand for pairings.
Cuesta de Gomerez 11 (very close to Plaza Nueva), 18009 Granada Spain
13. Restaurante Arriaga
Arriaga is on the top floor of the Museo Memoria de Andalucia, next to the science park (a great outing for the children) on the outskirts of Granada centre.
Is it worth the journey? Absolutely. The initial wow factor is provided by the modernist dining room’s floor to ceiling windows, designed to maximise the views from 55 metres up.
The food, though, is even better. Head chef Álvaro Arriaga lays out two tasting menus (one with nine courses the other with six) that are conversation points in themselves. Reservations are essential.
Centro Cultural Avenida Ciencia No. 2, 18006 Granada Spain
Tempted by a visit to Granada? Check out our villas in the area.
Ben Cooper
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