I love Andalusia. Barrels of vermut & sherry, jamon hanging from ceilings, even the bulls heads (although I don’t condone bullfighting). Seville, Granada & Cadiz all have great food, but when it comes to free food Granada is the place to go.
📝 One of the main reasons to visit Granada is to explore Alhambra. Make sure you buy your tickets well ahead of time as they sell out well in advance. If it’s too late and they’re already sold out then don’t worry – you can buy a garden ticket instead and sneak into the rest of it. So make sure you use the officials website here as there are a lot of scam sites.
📝 At a lot of bars in Granada food comes free if you buy a drink. The more drinks you buy and longer you are at a place, the more dishes you get, and sometimes, the higher l quality they get too. It’s a bit of a waiting game. If you have the time and patience you can spend very little.
1. Bar Los Diamates
Bar Los Diamantes started life in 1933 as a small food shop. They began to grow in popularity for their seafood so eventually turned into tapas bar focused on fried fish. They now have five locations across the city. The originally location on Calle Navas is pretty hectic but has the best atmosphere. If you want more space then head to their Plaza Nueva restaurant. The food is great at both. Like a lot of bars in the Granada, all you need to do is buy drinks and the free dishes will flow (although it’s a bit of a waiting game). If you have the stomach, time and patience you can probably try most of the menu for free (and end up being pretty drunk). My recommendation if you are going to buy any dishes is to go for the tomatoes/lettuce as most of the free dishes are going to be fried seafood.
2. Bodegas Castañeda
Bodegas Castañeda, established in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War. Anywhere with fortified wine barrels behind the bar and a bulls head on the wall is a ‘yes’ from me. Like most bars in Granada, if you buy drinks, the food comes free, however, it’s a bit of waiting game to get the dishes you want. On top of a free tortilla and potato salad we ordered a plate rabo de toro (oxtail stew) and some jamon. The oxtail stew was delicious – meat falling off the bone, collagen broken down, served on a bed of padron peppers & potatoes that had soaked up all the flavour. As well as wines they also have a house cocktail called a calicasas, made of vermouth, gin, rum, soda & spices. I had a similar drink called yayos at Casa Camacho in Madrid so I guess it’s a common mix throughout the country.
3. Bar Avila Tapas
Bar Avila is one of the most popular tapas bars in the city. I recommend coming here as soon as they open for lunch or dinner otherwise you’ll have to wait in line. The star dish is the jamon asado (slow roast pork). It’s crispy on the outside, most in the middle and heavily seasoned. They give you some pretty good free dishes here too.
4. Café 4 Gatos
Café 4 Gatos is located in the hilly Albaicin neighbourhood which has great views of Alhambra. This is a good spot to come for breakfast. Get the toast with tomato, maybe some manchego or jamon on top as well as some good coffee and fresh orange juice. So simple but so good.
5. Nito’s Pub
Nito’s Pub, Granada. A pristine seventies-style cocktail bar. The walls are covered with old movie and music posters. 70s soul classics make-up the playlist. Every cocktail on the menu is €7.50. I went for a Blue and a Manhattan. Both great.
6. Bar Futbol
There are a lot of popular cafes to go for churros in town but this was probably my favourite. Churros are typically eating at breakfast with a mug of chocolate. There is an outdoor seating area if it’s too busy inside.
7. Rincon de Rodri
After Los Diamantés this is definitely one of the top spots in town to go for seafood. Buy a couple drinks and wait for the free food to come before you go for a larger dish or two. The grilled chiperones (baby squid) were amazing.
8. Los Manueles
Like a lot of popular restaurants in Granada, Los Manueles (est 1917) have expanded out and now have multiple locations in town (I think I saw five or six). I ate at their Reyes Católicos restaurant (their original location) as well as their Catedral restaurant. The original location feels a little too modernised so doesn’t have as much character as other old restaurant in town like Bodegas Castañeda up the street. Their Catedral is great for eating outside in the sun though. The giant albondigas (meatballs) are great here too.
9. Bar Provincias
Bar Provincias is another popular tapas bar. It fills up quick so go when it opens.
10. Gran Cafe Bib Rambla
Gran Cafe Bib-Rambla, established in 1907, is one of the oldest cafes in Granada. This is another good spot to go for churros & chocolate.
James Dimitri 