The international phenomenon known as tapas originated right here in Andalusia. Bartenders used bread to cover the wine glasses and keep the fruit flies out of the sherry (which is the wine from Sherry, Spain, in Andalusia, of course). Hence, the name tapa which means “lid” or “cover”. Over time, the tapa evolved into a sophisticated Spanish cuisine.
In Granada, and only in Granada, the tapas are free. Nowhere else in Spain do they give you a free tapa with every drink. In some bars in Granada they have a menu from which you can choose the tapa you want. In others, the tapas are preselected and are served in a set order, each subsequent tapa being different from the previous one. So, the first tapa might be a small hamburger and some french fries, the second one some spicy chorizo sausage and a slice of bread, and so on.
Tapas in Granada almost always include some form of bread whether it be sausage on a slice of bread, potato salad with crunchy breadsticks on the side, or a pork filet served in a bun. Here is a list of just a few of the thousands of kinds of tapas you may encounter in Granada.
- Paella – the typical Spanish rice dish
- Lomo con alioli – pork with garlic sauce served on a bun
- Hamburger with french fries
- Albondigas – meat balls served in a zesty sauce
- Carne en salsa – chopped meat cooked in sauce
- Bacalao – cod
- Boquerones – anchovies
- Croquetas – delicious balls of dough that have been prepared with chicken broth and either bits of chicken or ham and are deep fried
- Migas – bread crumbs sauteed with green pepper and onion
- Chorizo sausage
- Salmon
- Morcilla
- Ensaladilla rusa – Spanish potato salad, usually includes shrimp
- Patatas a lo pobre – potatoes sauteed with onions and green peppers
- Pincho moruño – spicy skewered Arabic-style meat cooked on a grill
- Tortilla de patatas – Spanish potato omelet.
These are just a few of the hundreds of tasty tapas you can try in Granada.
And here are a few places I recommend for tapas.
La Bella y la Bestia
Cárcel baja, 10 and Carrera del Darro, 37
Offers some beautifully presented tapas in substantial quantity. Best to go during the week because it’s usually packed on the weekends.
El Reventaero
Camino de Ronda, 101
You’re not going to find fine delicacies here but El Reventaero (“the gut buster”) without a doubt offers the BIGGEST tapas in Granada. After just two tapas you’ll understand why they call it El Reventaero. And when you’re ready for your last tapa, let the bar tender know and he’ll serve you a dessert tapa (such as flan), if you want.
Borsalino
Calle Curro Cuchares, 3
Here they do things a little differently. Rather than giving you a tapa with each drink, every now and then the owner goes around the bar with a big platter of tapas and you just take whichever one you want. So, the longer you hang out here, the more free tapas you’ll get!
El Vagón
Calle del Mirlo, 3 and Calle Faisán, 20 (two locations)
A great tapas bar that regularly has live music.
Lax
Calle de Verónica de la Magdalena, 31
If you like salmon, this is the place to go. However, these tapas are not Spanish food but rather Swedish.
