The best “Tapas” of the world. Where to eat good Tapas in Granada.

Every traveler who passes through Granada is surprised, not only by the beauty of its monuments and its streets, but also by the great diversity and size of its “tapas“, which are also free! Indeed, in Granada it is tradition that, for the price of a drink you get also a delicious and imposing complimentary “tapa”. If you want to eat tapas, in Granada you are in the right place!

A tapa is a dish with a generous portion of the day’s delicacies: potato omelette, fried fish (“pescaíto frito”), aubergines with honey, ham with melon…. The list is endless!

Throughout Granada there are countless bars and taverns where you can eat good tapas.

What are “tapas”?

Tapas strictly speaking are free side dishes for the drink and are generally served in tapas bars and wineries in Granada, where they are eaten standing up. Each tapas bar has an individual selection of different tapas. Tapas usually include beer, wine, sherry, vermouth or port.

The “potato omelette” (tortilla de patatas) is one of the most popular tapas.

In cities like Granada, establishments fight a real struggle to offer the best possible option and attract the maximum number of customers. And, since the profit margin is low (for between 1 and 2 euros the customer receives a drink and tapa), the goal of restaurateurs is that there is a lot of customer movement. What pays off is that many people enter and then leave the premises with food and drink in their stomach. Whoever gives a bad “Tapa” has it hard to survive, because the competition is fierce.

In this Andalusian city, with the imposing Alhambra at the top, it is common to see groups of friends go from bar to bar, from “tapa” to “tapa”. With 4 or 5 canes and their corresponding tapas, one is more than satisfied and eaten.

What is the origin of the word “Tapa”?

“Tapa” in Spanish means “cover”. It seems that the origin of the word “tapa” is in the ancient custom of Spanish taverns to “cover” the wine glasses with a piece of bread or ham to prevent flies and mosquitoes from dirtying the drink.

Another story places the origins of the “tapas” in the 15th century and tells that during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs there were many conflicts on the roads due to the intoxication of the travelers. That is why the waiters were forced to serve some food with the wine. Customers had to first finish the food served so that they could remove the “cover” (tapa) from the wine and drink it.

A more recent version of the origin of the word “tapa” dates back to the 19th century and tells a story that occurred during a visit by King Alfonso XII to Cádiz. Stopping along the way, he and his entourage stopped at an inn called “Ventorrillo del Chato” (an establishment that still exists) and ordered a sherry wine and something to eat. Suddenly the wind picked up and the innkeeper thought of covering the glass with a slice of Serrano ham so that no dust got in and hence the origin of the “tapa”. The king liked the idea and asked for another similar “cover.”

Although the versions that refer to “covering” the wine glass with a slice of ham are dubious, because dust and dirt tend to stick to the fat of the ham, the truth is that they do add a touch of legend to the “tapas ».

Where to eat good tapas in Granada?

Wandering through the streets of the center of Granada you will find countless bars and taverns where delicious tapas are served. If Granada has something, it’s lots of bars!

Here we propose some that have a long tradition.

1. Bar Aliatar

(Address: calle San Sebastian 4)

The “Aliatar” is the oldest sandwich bar in Granada open since 1947. Every Granada-born has his favorite sandwich. There are the classics like the San Francisco, the “Perrito” (meat fillet), squid, broad beans or potato omelette. They also offer specialties such as “Sopón” (tuna with tomato) or “Madrid” (butter, ham and anchovies). The sandwiches are served warm, with fresh bread and at lightning speed.

2. Los Manueles

(Address: Calle Reyes Católicos, 61)

Another traditional tapas bar, with more than a hundred years of history, Los Manueles is a local reference and very famous for its Spanish croquettes. But its fame goes beyond croquettes. You can’t miss their Sacromonte omelette or their broad beans with Serrano (habas con jamón).

3. Bar los Diamantes

(Address: Navas street, 26)

Navas Street is another of the great Tapas streets in Granada. One of the most famous bars is Los Diamantes, open since 1947. Any fan of good tapas will not miss its fried food, which is one of the house specialties, such as the delicious fried fish, the prawns (fried or grilled). ). Los Diamonds has a traditional Spanish bar atmosphere, where the stew and the drink and the decoration are taken care of.

4. Bar San Remo

(Adress: Calle Puente de Castañeda, 4)

Another famous site that has more than 60 years of history. Many know him as Casa Armando, the name of the one who has been behind the bar for more than forty years serving tapas and food to Granadans and visitors. San Remo is known for its patatas bravas, hamburgers with San Remo sauce, pinchitos and chipolatas. Apart from its tapas and portions, you can eat very well in the Restaurant, where they offer good dishes such as sirloin.

5. La Trastienda

(Adress: Plaza de Cuchillos, 11)

If there is an original tapas bar in Granada, it is undoubtedly La Trastienda. You get from Plaza Nueva to Plaza de Cuchilleros. The entrance to the bar is confusing, as it is shaped like an old delicatessen or grocery store. At the back there is a small room with a lot of charm, where patés and sausage boards of different kinds are served with good bread, as well as a good wine or beer. During the time of the Transition, the Trastienda was a meeting place for many many artists and intellectuals of the time.

6. La Cueva of 1900

(Adress: Catholic Kings 13)

Founded by a Granada family in 1970, its origins are in cutting and drying Serrano ham as well as in the manufacture of sausages. Initial success led them to open other establishments in different provinces, including Madrid. Their specialty is sausage tapas, homemade croquettes, egg recipes and grilled meats.