The 10 Best Tapas Bars in Granada, Spain
Photo by: Txus
In Spain, it’s not about being “Five O’Clock Somewhere”. If Spaniards feel like hitting the bottle, they hit it, regardless of the time! How do meals fit in when you’re halfway to your hangover at 11 am? The sunny southern city of Granada has the perfect solution: free tapas. OTP’s 10 Best Tapas Bars in Granada will booze you, feed you and leave you with enough change to buy some blood-shot-eye-masking sunglasses.
El Reventaero
Photo By: Antonio Zugaldia
Directions: Camino de Ronda 101
In Spanish, “reventar” means “to burst”, and if you make it through more than three rounds at this place, you’ll do just that. Choose tapas from the extensive list, ranging from mini hamburgers and pork sandwiches to snails and calamari, all served with homemade fries. If you can pack it in past round two, there are even desserts, like flan (custard) or chocolate tarts. For €2 per round, that’s some serious eating.
El Labrador
Photo By: Daniel Lobo
Directions: C/ Rector García Duarte 6
The tapas here seem intimidating. Chicken wings are deep-fried whole, none of that separated mini-upper-or-lower-wing child’s play bullshit. Brace yourself, look at the happy people around you and dig in. While the filling tapas hit the spot, the real reason to come here is the highly flammable, top-secret signature cocktail, “El Labrador”. We have no idea what’s in it, but make sure you order one. Pretty soon, you’ll forget why you were ever scared to try the snails.
Ávila
Photo By: Nina Gandhi
Directions: C/ Verónica de la Virgen 16
This family-run bar is about as Spanish as it gets, located in the city center directly opposite the fishing store belonging to the same owner. The tinto de verano (crazy popular Spanish combo of red wine and lemon Fanta) is homemade, not on tap (yes, this beverage is commonly served on tap, like beer), and the food selection covers all Spanish bases. The jamón asado (grilled pork) is deliciously spiced and comes with marinated olives. Go ahead, drop your pits on the floor – it’s how they do it in the dirty south.
D’Cuadros
Photo By: Raiko Negrín
Directions: C/ Pintor López Mezquita 14, C/ Fábrica Vieja 1-15, Plaza de Toros
Ignore the greasy bartenders, thumping eurodance music and pretentious décor. Instead, focus on the menu, featuring snacks like Argentinian-style empanadas, tortellini with four-cheese sauce, molasses-drizzled fried eggplant and vegetarian lasagna. Try it all, but stay away from the tinto de verano, unless you’re up for a sugar rush – they serve it off tap and the alcohol content is questionable.
OTP Tip: D’Cuadros has 3 locations. The Plaza de Toros spot is posh and the Fábrica Vieja bar (the original), is crowded.
El Nido de Buho
Directions: C/ Doctor Pareja Yébenes
If you happen to venture further out, (maybe for a bullfight), this is the place to go. Arguably the best tapas bar in all of Granada, this place takes it up a notch, serving the upscale Alhambra Especial as standard tap beer (the Grenadine classic is basic Alhambra). Every drink order immediately yields a plate of olives, before tapas arrive from an enormous list of delicacies, including stuffed avocados, bread with cream cheese and walnuts and homemade paella. Portion sizes are double that of anywhere else and this kitchen stays open all day. At €2 per round ,while the rest of Granada is snoozing for siesta, you can continue indulging in gourmet tapas.
Om Kalsum
Photo By: Jack Newton
Directions: C/ Jardines 17
Those familiar with Granada’s historical and geographic links to Africa shouldn’t be surprised to see tapas in the form of authentic Moroccan cuisine. Lounge on pillows while the Moroccan owners ply you with couscous, kefta (meatballs) and falafel. It might be down a hidden side street, but don’t be surprised if you hear Spaniards clapping and singing flamenco in the back.
Yamato
Photo By: Jeremy Keith
Directions: C/ Colcha 7
Despite being just steps from the ultra-touristy Plaza Nueva, it’s rare that tourists wander here (probably because the concept of eating Japanese food in Spain is about as commonsensical as throwing a bachelor party in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan). Satisfy your raw fish craving with high quality sushi tapas. Alhambra Especial comes bottled for €3,50 and with each round, 2 sushi pieces or 4 pieces of maki roll. It isn’t much, but take advantage of the free factor in a place known for crazy sushi prices.
Poë
Photo By: Raiko Negrín
Directions: C/ Veronica de la Magdalena, 40
Owned by UK-born Matthew Poe and his Brazilian wife, Poe serves a jumble of Portuguese/Brazilian/European/Asian fusion food making it a magnet for “guiris” (foreigners). Take a break from struggling with Spanish and try Portuguese Piri-Piri (spicy pork stew) or Thai chicken curry. Spice it up with absinthe shots, served the traditional way with a sugar cube. Arrive early; this place is usually standing room only!
Bar Escuelas
Photo By: Gabriel Bonino
Directions: C/ Escuelas 2
Near the university law school, this bar is popular with students who fill the outdoor seating alongside botanical gardens. The most popular tapas are Pizza Hut Personal Pan-sized individual pizzas. They’re quick, filling and only €1,80, drink included. Between 3:30 and 4:30pm, get high on sugar with options like cheesecake and flan.
El Pesaor
Directions: C/ Pio Baroja 1
This bar is named “the heavy one” to match their never-ending beers and generous tapas portions. For a measly €3,50, suck down a gigantically phallic “polla” (“dick” in Spanish) or opt for the medium-sized “dos cojones” (testicles, two of them). Pussies can drink the “small”. Tapas are awesome and interactive, including pork skewers that you grill yourself over bowls of flaming alcohol.
These are the musts, but new tapas bars open in Granada every week. Stop the locals in the streets, arm yourself with a few coins and eat and drink your brains out. Stuffing your face has never tasted so free!
Traveling is my only healthy addiction. The more time I spend living abroad, the longer the list gets of places I need to visit and adventures I want to undertake.
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Looks so delicious!