Walking and sightseeing in Granada is hungry work. Don´t miss out on great food while you are in the city. Finding Restaurants in Granada can be tricky in the main tourist areas. City centre streets are packed with bars and eateries, which can quite an overwhelming choice for visitors.

Here´s my personal selection of 8 places to enjoy great service and good food in Granada.

Eight Restaurants in Granada Spain

Alvaro Arriaga

Close to the Science Museum, on the edge of the city, this is an elegant option with stunning views. Basque chef, Alvaro Arriaga only uses the best quality ingredients in his dishes. Set inside the Museum Caja Cultural de Andalusia. This restaurant is located in a modern building with unbelievably stunning panoramic views. With glass walls on either side of the restaurant the Sierra Nevada and surrounding countryside is stunning seen from the 9th floor.

Booking is recommended as they only have a dozen tables in this exclusive restaurant. Don´t  miss the mascarpone dessert, it was delicious. Tasting menu €60 per person.

• www.restaurantearriaga.com
• Museo Memoria de Andalucía, Avenida de las Ciencias, 2, 18006 Granada.
• Tel: 00 34 958 13 26 19
• Closes on Mondays

El Parador de San Francisco

If you choose to dine at El Parador de San Francisco you will be inside the Alhambra Palace grounds. From your table gaze across to the Generalife gardens and take in all the history of the location.
Dishes served here are representative of traditional Granada cuisine with Mozarabic influence. Service is leisurely which gives you more time to take in those views. In May, June and September booking is recommended.

A Taxi can leave you at the door or you can take the C30 or C32 bus to Puerta de la Justicia and walk the short distance inside the Alhambra along Calle Real. Main courses €20.

• Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada
• Tel: 0034 958 02 79 71.

Maria de la O

This place is an excellent location for groups. Headed up by chef Chechu Gonzalez, presentation here is impeccable. Expect local Granada cuisine with a modern twist. Maria de la O is just up from Paseo del Salon a short walk from El Corte Inglés. You can also get the bus 33 or a taxi to the door. 

• Address: Carretera de la Sierra 13, Granada
• Tel: 0034 958 21 60 69

Restaurante Arrayanes

Nestled in the streets behind Plaza Nueva. This established Moroccan restaurant has been here for over 20 years. Find in the area of the tea shops off Calderería Nueva.
Some of my preferred choices are the lamb couscous accompanied with the freshly-squeezed lemonade. Typical starters are hummus (shown above) and falafel, you can also choose a house salad too.

The friendly owner Mustafa has an impressive visitors book with VIPs who have visited Restaurante Arrayanes over the years. They close on Tuesdays. Also worth noting that this is a Halal restaurant.

Main courses €15.

• Cuesta Marañas, Lower Albaicin
• Tel: 0034 958 22 84 01.
• www.rest-arrayanes.com

Bar Aliatar

You may not have much time to eat in Granada at midday. If you are looking to have a sandwich. Bar Aliatar is where the locals go. Trading since 1947 this bar serves hot and cold sandwiches.  They can prepared them to take away too. (para llevar). From their large selection I always choose Broad beans and ham and the San Francisco which is pork loin mayo with cheese.

This place does get very busy and you may have to stand at the bar. Located a short walk from Granada Town Hall this is really in the heart of the city.

• Calle San Sebastian (off Plaza Bib Rambla) 
• Also on Calle San Anton 67
• Average Price Per Person: €7 – Booking not necessary

Negro Carbon

This new restaurant has been open for a year or so. Located on the riverside in the lower Albaicin, it is really in the busiest area of the historic quarter. This option is wonderful for Meat lovers.

You really must book a table as this place gets very busy and has only about 12 tables. The meat is super fresh and they have premium cuts. The open plan kitchen allows you to see the action as your meal is prepared. Portions are generous, let the friendly staff help you so you don´t over order.

Vaca Pajuna

At Negro Carbon they have menus in English and also have vegetarian options too. They also offer a dish which is Vaca Pajuna, the cattle breed which is native to the Sierra Nevada National Park. A locally produced steak from just up the road.

Although this hasn´t been open for very long this is the best option at the moment for great steaks and meat dishes in Granada.

• Puente Cabrera, 9, Granada   (off Carrera del Darro)
• tel. 00 34 958 049 119

Bar de Fede

Next to the San Agustin Market, below Gran Via, this friendly bar has delicious food. Not only do they serve lunch and dinner, they open at 9am for breakfast too. It can get busy on weekends particularly but the great atmosphere makes it worth the tussle to grab a spot.

Food on offer here is varied. Choose Raciones (sharing plates) if you want something less formal, or order from their Carta (menu) They also have some seasonal specialities. Check out the blackboards inside when you arrive. Midweek you can choose their Menu del Dia  3 courses at lunchtime and great value for money. At the time of writing it costs 11 euros for the midweek menu. 

One of the raciones had was a Red pepper and black olive salad.  Ideal on a hot summers day.

• Calle Marqués de Falces, 1, 18001 Granada
• telf. 00 34 958 28 88 14
• open everyday

Platea

With two Restaurants in Granada La Platea is a modern restaurant with a good selection of dishes. This place is next to the Forum Building at the entrance to the city, not far from Science Park Museum.

Choose from the informal bar menu with dishes to share or the restaurant menu for a more complete dining experience. Seen below is the Broad beans with caramelised onion on pan de cristal from the bar menu.  (8 euros for 3 pieces)

With a midweek menu which works out at great value, this has become a firm favourite for me. Whether it be a glass of wine and something light in the evening or a nice long meal with friends on a Sunday.

They do have outdoor seating too and occasionally have events with live music or cultural activities. 

• Forum/Science Park – Calle Jose Luis Perez Pujadas, 9,  Granada telf 00 34 958 13 88 54
• Open Everyday

 

Recommended Restaurants in Granada

How did I come up with this list?

I have been living in Granada since 2006 and chose these restaurants from my regular haunts. These are places which I have been to many times. At busy times (Christmas, weekends) and on rainy Tuesdays in November. I have also paid for my meals when visiting.

Granada Food Tour

I also run my own Taste of Granada Tour. as a regular reader of my blog, feel free to use a 10% discount code if you come to Granada. Just add the word PICCAVEY online when you book.

After returning several times and seeing that they are consistent that is why I want to share these tips as I am confident that they are restaurants which provide good service and quality ingredients.  There are over 350 restaurants and bars in the city of Granada so this is not an exhaustive list, but my personal favourites.

You may also like to read about Tapas Bars in Granada

Eight Restaurants in Granada to try