There is a lot of history and culture in Granada. The Arab influences are obvious, and the cuisine reflects the fusion of the two civilizations. Explore Granada’s 10 top eateries, ranging from inexpensive to upscale, all thanks to the city’s rich cultural heritage.
Every drink in Granada comes with a complimentary plate of tapas. This tapa, along with a glass of wine, beer, or tinto de verano, is the perfect end to a day of touring.
However, not all tapas are created alike; some are more bountiful than others. While eating your way through the city by sampling tapas at various bars in the evening is an enjoyable way to see the sights, visitors to Granada should not neglect the city’s many excellent dining establishments.
Top 5 restaurants in Granada
Let’s take a look at some of Granada’s best eateries that should not be missed on a trip to the city.
- Mirador de Morayma
- Bodegas Espadafor
- El Claustro
- Restaurante Chikito
- Restaurante El Huerto de Juan Ranas
1. Mirador de Morayma
Dine at Mirador de Morayma, perched high above the Moorish Albayzn neighborhood, and take in breathtaking views of the Alhambra Palace. We like visiting the lovely courtyard with its plants and fountains via the whitewashed Moorish arches.
This restaurant seems more like a museum than a place to eat because of all the priceless antiques, paintings, and sculptures that decorate the walls. It serves a wide variety of Spanish tortillas and seafood dishes, such as octopus dusted with paprika. Meat dishes cooked with orange juice and red wine, including spring chicken with raisins and mushrooms, are also available. Mirador de Morayma is surely one of Granada’s best restaurants.
2. Bodegas Espadafor
This historic Granadine bar was established in 1910 and is located just off the Via Colón; it contains big, real wine barrels and paintings depicting collections of vintage posters. This restaurant is popular among both residents and visitors due to its complimentary tapas and many menu options for dinner. The menu has traditional Spanish dishes like the tortilla and jamón, as well as maritime dishes like the octopus salad and the prawns.
3. El Claustro
If you’re searching for a fine dining experience in a historical setting, go no farther than El Claustro, a restaurant within the AC Palacio de Santa Paula hotel in the heart of Granada’s monumental quarter.
A variety of meals, including mango and avocado from Granada’s green valleys, are available to guests, all of which are based on traditional Andalusian fare but are updated with a modern touch. For those prepared to splurge a bit, El Claustro serves you a meal in the center of a medieval convent that is both meditative and spiritual. Both the amazing food and the atmosphere makes this place one of Granada’s top restaurants.
4. Restaurante Chikito
Restaurante Chikito, established in 1976, is widely considered to be among the greatest eateries in all of Granada. It’s located in the same spot as the storied Café Alameda. The great poet Federico Garca Lorca and other intellectuals from Granadino would often meet at this café. A statue of Garca Lorca can be seen there to this day.
Traditional Granadino fare is offered with Andalusian dishes influenced by Arabic cooking techniques. For appetizers, try the wide beans with ham; for the main course, try the crispy fried fish plate; and for dessert, try the classic pionono.
5. Restaurante El Huerto de Juan Ranas
The restaurant is spread out across several terraces, each of which provides beautiful views of the Alhambra and the stunning, snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background. Restaurante El Huerto de Juan Ranas is surely one of Granada’s best restaurants for both tourists and locals.
As could be expected, the restaurant is bustling with activity, and the tables are turning quickly. Few people come here for a family dinner; most come for a drink and a photo op with their souvenirs.
The price tag is more than average for Granada, but then again, you pay for what you get in terms of scenery and accessibility. They clearly have experience serving large crowds, as the restaurant provided excellent service and functions like clockwork.
Conclusion
Granada is a great place to eat since it is one of the few places in Spain where you can have tapas for free with your drink. But with so many dining options, what are some of the greatest places to dine in Granada? This is what we recommend.