We considered making a 10 best tapas bars in Granada list, we could probably make one 5 times longer than that - because because Granada is home to the best tapas in Spain. From bagels with chips to high quality sashimi, and everything in between, if you like free food it doesn’t get any better than Granada.
We wanted to create something a little different to the usual tapas lists so we’ve separated them into day time and night time favourites instead! Below is our list of The 5 Best Tapas Bars in Granada - for after dark.
Click here for the Best Tapas Bars in Granada - Daytime Edition
C/ Reyes Católicos, 61, 18009 Granada
Is this the number 1 in Granada? Well it has been open for over 100 years! This restaurant looks fairly traditional but head into the bar area seating and things take a twist and liven up immediately! Our top tip is find a perch outside and people watch, Los Manuelles is where the Granada glamorous people go, think leopard printed coats and red stilettoes (although we also saw a bloke dressed as a mermaid there).
It’s famous for its incredible croquetas - by far the best we’ve had anywhere in Spain - creamy airy light cheesy sauce encased in the crispiest of golden breadcrumbs. Along with your beverage of choice you will be presented with delights like a rich, creamy seafood and bean stew or tender chunks of belly pork. Drinks are reasonably priced, and the bar staff are eccentric and friendly, it’s a really lovely place to while away an evening with a glass of red.
Calle Verónica de la Magdalena, 40, 18002 Granada
This place is seriously tasty! It’s not your traditional tapas bar, it’s a little back street pub run by a chap from the UK and his wife from South Africa and its international reputation sets it apart from the rest.
Here you can choose your tapas from a list; Succulent sweet chunks of glistening caramelised pork and pineapple on huge skewers, delicious flavoursome thai chicken with polenta, spicy melt in the mouth piri piri pork stew (have this one last if you want to taste anything else!) all served in traditional tapas sized dishes with a side of rice. Share a bottle of red - which comes with 6 dishes and by the end of the bottle you will be stuffed.
Calle Almireceros, 1-3, 18010 Granada
The one on everyone’s list of Granada's best tapas bars, and for good reason. It’s a busy vibrant space where locals and tourists mingle happily. Fresh fish salads, cheese, olives and ham are the returning favourites of their daily tapas. Niall made friends with an elderly gentleman who, although he didn’t speak a word of English, shared his tapas with us and allowed us taste his drink, a local speciality concoction of red wine, vermouth and soda, potent stuff.
My favourite moment was when the table next to us started singing a lullaby to calm a howling toddler and most of the pub joined in, then the waiter bought the little one a big hunk of jamón to suck on and the normal chatter resumed. These magic moments are the ones that make your heart smile, and they form a large part of our reasons to travel list.
Rector Morata 3 Esquina con escudo del carmen, 18009 Granada
This was a happy accident for us, we went there as it looked nice and it turns out it's one of Granada's entries in the Michelin guide for its delicious seafood. This classy restaurant has an open kitchen. If you like your tapas at the fancy end of the scale, then this is the place or you.
You could pay upwards of €25 for 2 courses in the restaurant upstairs or you could take a seat, as we did, at one of the tables near the bar grab a drink and enjoy several different tapas such as bacalao croquetas, salmon mousse salad or Iberico ham and manchego, for no more than the cost of your drinks.
Calle Sillería, 8, 18001 Granada
This bar the polar opposite to the place above, this tiny family run pub has a tidy choice of beers and great music selection full of funky tunes and Balkan beats, it wouldn’t be out of place on a trendy street in Brixton, London. This is the kind of place to have a banging night out at and make loads of new friends! La Taberna boasts a selection of tapas to suit all dietary requirements. We highly recommend ordering the vegan Thai green curry and enjoying the flavour sensation while you sit and sip your caña on one of the (full!) kegs of beer which serve as seating.
Night Time Hidden Gem - La Trastienda
Plaza de Cuchilleros, 11, 18009 Granada
La Trastienda is hidden in a Jamonería just off Plaza Nueva. It was established in 1836 after the owner decided to serve snacks to waiting customers! Stepping behind the counter of the shop feels intimate, like you’re a special guest. The owner is very laid back and smiley and each glass of wine comes with a simple piece of fresh warm bread topped with a different type of meat. It’s cute, quirky and cosy and we hope you’ll love it as much as we did!
So that's the round up of our view on Granada's best tapas (Night time Edition). Have you been somewhere special that you recommend? Drop us a comment below, we would love to hear about your experiences of this magical city.
Fancy going out for the best tapas during the day? Click here for the Daytime Edition
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