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Granada Tapas Bars – Free Tapas in Southern Spain

Granada Tapas Bars – Free Tapas in Southern Spain

Granada Tapas Bars

Granada tapas culture is a pleasant surprise for most visitors when they arrive. Tasting delicious free tapas as soon as you get into the first bar. When you request a drink in most bars in Granada you get a complimentary tapa.

Here are places to get typical Granada tapas. I deliberately selected places around the city centre and have been open for years. These are typical Granada tapas bars rather than the new, trendy or up and coming ones.

Granada Tapas Om Khalsoum

Om Khalsoum

This cosy place serves Tasty Moroccan tapas. This is one of my all time favourites in Granada. Get there before 8.40pm if you want a seat. Its very popular with students and although it opens at 8.00pm it seems to be packed by 8.30pm.

My picks here are the falafel, chicken kebab or couscous with caramelised onion.

You can also get Pastela Moruna to order, not a free tapa but so worth it. The Moroccan chicken pastela is a good option if there are 3 of you or more. Or to eat some and take it home if you dont finish it all.

There are lots of choices for vegetarians here. Saluka, baked potatoes…etc

  • Address: Calle Jardines 17
  • Opens: Monday to Saturdays (Closed on Sunday)
  • They are closed in July & August each year.

Taberna Salinas Granada Tapas in Spain

Bar Avila

Full of character, Bar Avila is always packed. Standing room only. The house special here is called Jamón asado. Roast ham atop a piece of white crusty bread. 

Its a classic in Granada.

  • Address:  Calle Verónica de la Virgen, 16   (side street opposite Corte Ingles)
  • Opens Mondays to Fridays 9.00am until 4.30pm 8.00pm to Midnight
  • Saturdays 8.00pm-midnight
  • Closed on Sundays

Granada Tapas Bars

 

Bar Los Diamantes

The well known Bar Los Diamantes specializes in fried fish. There are a few of these bars now dotted around the city. The original one is on Calle Navas 28, it´s been there since 1942. Since the pandemic the original bar is closed (lack of space for social distancing) so it´s best to head to another one of their venues. Virgen del Rosario is the closest. 

It´s always busy but if you want fish for tapas you can´t go wrong here. The Fried Aubergines (egg plant) are also a firm favourite too.

  • Address: Calle Navas 28, Plaza Nueva and Virgen del Rosario
  • Opens Monday to Friday 12.00h to 5.30pm + 8.00pm to 2.00am
  • Saturdays Sundays & Holidays 11.00am to 1.00am

gay friendly granada tapas

Papuapa

This eclectic place on Calle Molinos is at the heart of the Realejo quarter. It´s a Columbian style restaurant with a good range of vegan and vegetarian tapas. The platter above was ordered separately (it wasn´t one of the complimentary tapas). Such delicious mini arepas. 

They have a small terrace with outdoor seating as well as a bar area and cosy dining area. 

  • Address: Calle Molinos 16
  • Opens 12.00h to 11.30pm
  • Closed on Tuesdays

La Tana

This Wine Bar in the Realejo tends to get very busy. They serve locally produced Granada wine but have an excellent wine selection from all over Spain. Sometimes they offer a guacamole for tapa. When I´m inside it reminds me of being inside a wine cellar as the walls are lined with bottles.

Since the pandemic as this is a small venue they allocate tables so that you have a dedicated space. This is done to avoid overcrowding and keep some social distancing between guests. 

  • Address: Placeta del Agua, off Calle Rosario
  • Opens 1.00pm to 4:30pm + 8:30pm–12.00am
  • Closed on Sundays

Kiosko Las Titas Granada

Kiosko Las Titas

Located in this wrought iron building on the Genil riverbank. This bar has lots of outdoor seating but does have some tables inside too. With a tapas list to choose from they also offer montaditos and raciones too.

Spanish omelette is a good choice here. Enjoy wine with a riverside view and people watch as they wander along the park alongside the tables. 

See more here about the difference between Tapas, Raciones + Pintxos

  • Address: Paseo de la Bomba
  • Opens daily from 8.00am til midnight.

Plaza Nueva Granada Spain

La Trastienda

This curious place, looks like a delicatessen shop. You walk in, past the deli style counter and through to the seats in the back. This is on a small side street off Plaza Nueva. Tapas tend to be cold cuts and olives here.

  • Address: Plaza de Cuchilleros, 11 (opposite Plaza Nueva)
  • Opens Monday to Saturday from 7:30PM–1.00AM
  • Evenings only. Closed on Sundays

Plaza Nueva Granada Spain blog

Bodega Los Tintos

The aubergines are so delicious here. Roast ham topped with quails egg is also amazing pick.  As well as the tapas the wine selection is also excellent here. Usually packed with locals it maybe difficult to get a table. Make do with a spot at the bar and tuck in.  (this bar reopened in Autumn 2023 after a long break)

  • Address: Calle San Isidoro
  • Opens Tuesday to Saturday 1.00pm to 4:30pm then 8.00pm to midnight
  • Closed on Mondays & Sunday Nights
  • Closed in August (summer break)

Sancho Original Cervezas Alhambra Granada de Tapas

La Entraiya – Casa Rafa

In the Albaicín there are quite a few good tapas places around the Calle Agua & Calle Pagés. However La Entraiya is one of the most typical in the Albaicín. Expect local specialities and a traditional bar atmosphere. Order their broad beans with ham or creamy croquettes. 

If you choose to stay for lunch their daily menu costs 12 euros for 3 courses and is very good value.

  • Address: Calle Pagés 15 (Albaicín)
  • Fridays & Saturdays 9.00am to 11.00pm
  • Sundays to Thursdays 11.30am to 5.00pm
  • Closed on Tuesdays

Granada shopping Tomate gastrobar

Free Granada Tapas

I like to go for tapas every now and again. But there is much more to food in Granada than the free tapas. They are just a snack, a friendly welcome into the bar. Sometimes visitors don’t give the great food on the raciones and menu a second look as they are only sticking to the free tapas.

Here are some of my favourite restaurants in the city if you want to discover local eateries in the city beyond tapas.

Granada Food Tour Spain discount voucher

A Taste of Granada Tapas Tour

You can also get a guided food tour in Granada with Spain Food Sherpas. Rather than just wandering around sampling tapas. This activity shows you more into how locals eat, what food is produced locally in Granada province and insight into gastronomic culture in this part of Andalusia. 

Granada Wine Tasting Spain Food Sherpas

Which is your favourite Tapas place?..

Let me know in the comments below…

  1. Had our first visit to Los Diamantes today and they did not disappoint. The seafood was to die for and we most certainly will be returning.

    • Molly says:

      Yes, a great place for seafood and fresh fish!
      Los Diamantes on Calle Navas is still the best one although they do have other locations around the city, that one was the first one.

  2. Hi Molly. Thanks for the fab tapas tips – we’ve really enjoyed trying out some of these suggestions during our time in Granada. And I can definitely see why Om Khalsoum would be one of your favs. The tapas there are just excellent!

    Thanks again,
    Laura

  3. lina isabella says:

    Dear Molly
    A fantastic and down to earth review-thank you so much.
    I would be very keen and grateful if you could share your insights as to where we could access good and inexpensive seafood/grilled fish both in Granada, Ronda and closer to Manilva, could you recommend any specific authentic places please?
    A very big thanks.
    Lina isabella

    • Molly says:

      Hi Lina,
      Of course, Cunini (in Plaza Pescaderia, below Cathedral) is a clear choice for fish in Granada
      Los Diamantes (the original bar) on Calle Navas is a must for fish lovers. Get there early (13h lunchtime or 20h evening) to find a spot at the bar.
      In Ronda I would try Los Cazadores for fish, but Entre Vinos and TragaTapas may be worth a try too

      Hope this helps!

  4. steve murphy says:

    It seems you only go as far as motril along the coast road of Costa Tropical.
    There are wonderful tapas bars all the way from Albunol and La rabita all the way back to Motril.
    Do try the lupion in Albunol as it is traditional and excellent

    • Molly says:

      Will keep note of your tips next tip I´m on the coast, this guide was specifically for the city of Granada.

    • Molly says:

      Hi

      This post only includes bars in the city of Granada (rather than outside of the city)
      Thanks for the recommendations

  5. […] I was first introduced to this bar by Molly In Granada when I first arrived in January – read her excellent summary of tapas in Granada in her post 10 typical Granada tapas bars […]

  6. […] There are seemingly hundreds of places in Granada to get food. And as you may well know, tapas in Granada are free. What’s not to like? There’s quite a variety too. You can go for the pre-drinking-friendly and carb-heavy quantities of Bella & Bestia, the exotic Moroccan tapas at Om Khalsoum, the fantastic and quirky offerings at Los Tintos, as well as the more traditional dishes at countless other bars. For an excellent summary on tapas in Granada, read the piccavey.com post on 10 typical Granada tapas bars […]

  7. David says:

    Great round-up! Knowing how many incredible tapas spots there are here, this couldn’t have been easy.

    Still, I bet it was pretty fun “revisiting” them all for your post!

    • Molly says:

      There are literally hundreds of tapas places to choose from in Granada, I’ll probably do a follow up post to this one with more..

      • David says:

        I look forward to reading it! Puerta Del Carmen is one of my favourites, and I’ve written a little bit about it here.

  8. Christine Hansen says:

    I noticed you omitted bars on Calle Navas-perhaps because of the touristy nature of the street. But walk down Navas from Plaza del Carmen until you almost reach the end of the street. There you will find a traditional tapas bar with some of the best tapas and raciones in the city. La Abadia has a charcoal grill and fresh Spanish tortilla made on site that is the best. It’s a very traditional bar, small and friendly. Very reasonably priced.

    • Molly says:

      I only chose 10 bars from the whole city of Granada. There are so many more to write about
      This list was to particularly include classic typical bars in the city. On Calle Navas and Calle Rosario there are many places I enjoy. Tabernaculo is probably the most authentic Granada one. Thanks for your recommendation I’ll check it out

  9. john says:

    Wonderful tapas this reminds me of my holidays in nerja

  10. 10 typical Granada tapas bars - My recommendati... says:

    […] 10 Granada Tapas bars – places to get typical Granada tapas. I have deliberately chosen places that have been open for years. These are in the city centre  […]

  11. Dave says:

    This is a nice categorization of tapas in one of my favorite cities in Spain. Bodegas Espadofor and La Trastienda sound great – will definitely have to try them the next time I am in Andalucia!

  12. robin says:

    I write about tapas in Granada myself and these are great picks, including a couple that are new to me. Must try La Pajuana and Bar Avila as soon as I can!

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