The Best Food in Granada: What to Eat and Where

The Best Food in Granada: What to Eat and Where

Taste your way through the best food in Granada, from its famed cream-filled sponge cake to the iconic jamon.

Remnants of Moorish influence in Granada go far beyond the Alhambra — it’s woven into the city’s culinary traditions, making it one of Spain’s most unique and delicious food destinations. The sweet and savory components of Arabic cooking meet the rustic ingredients of this mountainous region to create flavors you won’t find anywhere else.

Adventurous eaters can discover why a Spanish omelet with lamb brains and testicles is a local favorite, and those with a sweet tooth can taste a pastry named after a pope. From melt-in-your-mouth ham to a refreshing cod and orange salad, here’s the best food in Granada.

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photo: Orión Lafuente Missbauer

Cured in the pristine air of the Sierra Nevada mountains, jamón de Trevélez offers a unique flavor profile.

1. Jamón de Trevélez

Cured ham is one of the most important staples of Spanish cuisine, and every region does it differently. This Granadino specialty hails from the village of Trevélez, where it’s aged up to 36 months, resulting in a ham that’s delicately salty, sweet, and nutty all at once. It was even awarded the “Royal Seal” by Queen Isabel of Spain in 1862.

How to eat the best jamón de Trevélez in Granada?

It’s best enjoyed on its own or with a side of bread and wine. Join a Granada food tour to find the best jamón de Trevélez in the city.

Book a food tour of Granada

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photo: Elliot Moore

Queso montefrieño offers a tangy and robust flavor unique to the Montefrío region.

2. Queso montefrieño

One for cheese lovers, queso montefrieño is a local favorite in Granada, hailing from the small village of Montefrío. This unique goat cheese is made from high-quality raw milk and is hand-pressed in small batches before being aged to perfection. The result is a flavor that is both rich and complex, with nutty and tangy notes — the perfect way to start a night of Granada tapas tasting.

How to eat the best queso montefrieño in Granada?

Enjoy it on its own, with bread and fresh olive oil, or alongside cured meats. Head to Granada’s food markets to buy it directly from farmers.

Discover Granada’s best tapas

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Crispy eggplant and honey come together in the perfect balance of flavors in this Moorish-inspired dish.

3. Berenjenas con miel

If you’re looking for tapas tied to Granada’s historical roots, berenjenas con miel is a must-eat. Crispy fried eggplant is drizzled with honey to create an unexpected combination of sweet and savory flavors that reflects the Moorish influence that still informs the regional cuisine.

How to eat the best berenjenas con miel in Granada?

It’s mostly served as a tapas dish but can also be a nice side to a hearty main course such as meat or fish. For good traditional tapas, check out bars in the Albaicin or Realejo districts, like Los Diamantes.

Explore Albaicin

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photo: Jonathan Pincas

Remojón granadino is Granada's traditional winter salad.

4. Remojón granadino

If you don’t think salads can be exciting, remojón granadino is certain to change your mind. The base of this salad is not greens, but fish and fruit — a common combination in Moorish cuisine. Salted cod is combined with oranges, olive oil, and vinegar, and then tossed with additional toppings such as chopped scallions, crushed garlic, olives, and hard-boiled eggs.

How to eat the best remojón granadino in Granada?

It’s a dish best enjoyed in winter in Granada when oranges are in season. However, its refreshing flavors make it a perfect starter or side dish any time of year.

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photo: Stacy Spensley

Granada's traditional omelet stands out with its unique inclusion of lamb brains.

5. Tortilla del Sacromonte

Originating from the Sacromonte neighborhood of Granada, this unique take on the classic Spanish omelet is renowned for its adventurous combination of ingredients. The base of tortilla del Sacromonte is lamb brains and testicles, with other ingredients as optional additions, such as potatoes, peas, and chorizo. Historically, it was eaten by the local cave-dwelling families to ensure no part of the animal went to waste. Now, it has become one of the most popular foods to try in Granada for adventurous eaters.

How to eat the best tortilla del Sacromonte in Granada?

Head to a traditional tapas bar or restaurant in the Sacromonte district for the best tortilla. Favorites include Casa Juanillo and Mirador De Morayma.

Book a tour of Sacromonte

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photo: Jennifer Woodard Maderazo

Habas con jamón champions locally grown broad beans and cured Spanish ham.

6. Habas con jamón

Hearty and warming, the humble habas con jamón is like a hug in a bowl. The dish’s two main ingredients — tender broad beans and cured Spanish ham — prove that sometimes the best things in life are the most simple.

How to eat the best habas con jamón in Granada?

It’s best enjoyed as a tapas dish with crusty bread to soak up the sauce and a glass of rioja. Check out some bars in Realejo, known as the best neighborhood in Granada for tapas.

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Photo: Boca Dorada

Plato alpujarreño showcases the flavors of rural Andalusian life.

7. Plato alpujarreño

A popular food among locals, plato alpujarreño comes from Granada’s mountainous villages. It’s a plate piled high with a mountain of delicacies, ranging from blood sausage, pork loin, cured ham, chorizo, fried eggs, potatoes, and sweet peppers. This hearty and rustic combination was made to fill up farmers who had to work in the fields all day and is now the perfect way for travelers to fuel up for a day of Granada sightseeing.

How to eat the best plato alpujarreño in Granada?

Venture to the less touristy neighborhood of El Zaidin, which has a growing number of delicious restaurants offering a more local dining experience, such as Los Marianos.

Book a Granada sightseeing tour

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photo: Paul VanDerWerf

During the feast of San Antón, many restaurants in Granada prepare special dishes, including Olla de San Antón stew.

8. Olla de San Antón

Every city has its prized festive dish — in Granada’s cuisine, the famous Olla de San Antón takes the cake. This traditional stew is typically prepared during the feast of San Antón (Saint Anthony), which is celebrated on January 17. Its origins trace back to the Spanish Civil War and the annual pig slaughter. To avoid wasting any meat, the slow-cooked stew was made with beans, rice, and various pork leftovers, including the tail and spine.

How to eat the best Olla de San Antón in Granada?

The best way to experience this dish is during the feast of San Antón, as many restaurants prepare it specifically for this celebration.

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Granada’s famous sponge cakes topped with cream were named in honor of Pope Pius IX.

9. Piononos

In the town of Santa Fe near Granada in the 19th century, these iconic pastries were invented by pastry chef Ceferino Isla González, who named them in honor of Pope Pius IX, also known as “Pio Nono” in Italian. One bite and you’ll understand why they’ve become one of the most iconic desserts in Andalusia. Light, airy sponge cake soaked in syrup and filled with sweet vanilla cream is layered with custard and caramelized.

How to eat the best piononos in Granada?

The pastry shops in the city center are known to have some of the best piononos in the city, such as Pastelería El Sol. Pair it with a cup of coffee or tea to balance the richness of the cream and custard.

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This festive Andalusian dessert is traditionally enjoyed during carnival celebrations.

10. Cuajada de carnaval

This beloved dessert shows the resourcefulness of Granadino cuisine. Cuajada de carnaval is a delicacy of the carnival season and was invented as a method to use up leftover sweets from Christmas in Granada. A mixture of different ingredients such as Spanish cookies, cream, pumpkin preserve, almonds, and cinnamon come together in a delicious layered cake that’s served in traditional Fajalauza ceramic bowls.

How to eat the best cuajada de carnaval in Granada?

Although it is traditionally served leading up to the carnival in January and February, you can find it in pastry shops in Granada all year round.

FAQs

What time do tapas start in Granada?

Tapas are typically served around 1:00 PM for lunch and from 8:00 PM onwards for dinner in Granada. Tapas bars and restaurants often remain open late into the evening.

What is the famous tapas street in Granada?

The most popular tapas street in Granada is Calle Navas, known for its numerous bars and restaurants offering a wide variety of dishes.

How do tapas work in Granada?

In Granada, tapas are typically free with a drink order. Each drink you purchase comes with a complimentary tapa, allowing you to sample a variety of dishes as you enjoy your drinks.

What is a popular drink in Granada?

One of Granada’s most popular drinks is tinto de verano, a refreshing mix of red wine and lemon soda that’s a local favorite during the summer in Granada.

How much does it cost to eat out in Granada?

Eating out in Granada is relatively affordable. A meal at a mid-range restaurant costs between €10-€20 per person ($11-$21). Tapas bars in Granada famously offer complimentary tapas with drink orders, making going for tapas one of the best and most affordable things to do at night in Granada.

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