The city of Granada is known for their tapas culture. When eating at a bar or restaurant, you can almost always expect a free tapa with your beer or wine. These are the best tapas bars in the city, ranging from traditional Spanish cuisine to sushi tapas!
1. La Riviera
La Riviera is definitely a local favorite when it comes to tapas bars. Located near the Albaicin, it is the perfect place to stop for a drink and snack after exploring the alleyways of the Moorish-style neighborhood. Due to the generous proportions offered here, you’ll see numerous students crowding the small tables enjoying their evening. Menu favorites include the Milanese sandwich and albondigas, or meatballs in tomato sauce.
2. EntreBrasas
If you are a meat lover, Entrebrasas is the place for you. Grab a seat at the long bar-top, and the server will bring you a delicious plate of juicy steak, chicken, or pork. You’ll want to stay for 4-5 drinks just to experience the endless tapas options! My all-time favorite are the chicken tacos.
3. The Real McCoy
Many locals might not even know about this bar yet, since it was only opened at the beginning of 2022. Owned by a charismatic couple from Argentina and Uruguay, The Real McCoy is the perfect place to sit outside at the window when the weather warms up. The tapas are truly one-of-a-kind; you will receive a hot plate with a piece of meat or chicken, and you can cook it right in front of you!
4. Babel
Tired of carne en salsa and tostada con tomate? Then this is the place for you. Located near the Albaicin, Babel is usually filled with students in search of big, cheap tapas. The menu changes weekly, and there are several vegan and vegetarian options like chickpea curry and veggie flatbread pizza. You’ll find you only need 3-4 tapas to feel like you ate a full-sized meal!
5. Oum Kalsum
Located on a small side street behind the main shopping area, Oum Kalsum offers a variety of Moroccan-inspired tapas including falafel, shawarma, hummus, and meatballs. The even have a special deal where you can get a bottle of wine and a selection of 8 tapas, which is perfect for a date night!
6. Bar Aixa
When the sun comes out, the terrace of Bar Aixa is the place to be. Despite offering delicious traditional tapas, Bar Aixa is also known for the perfect place to sit out for hours with some friends. The terrace is crowded daily, with heaters during the colder months and umbrellas to shield the sun when temperatures start to rise.
7. Bar Poe
While most tapas bars bring you a surprise dish with every drink, Bar Poe allows the customer to choose their tapa of choice. Choose from the pork stew, chicken in spicy thai sauce, or salted cod. The menu offers 10-12 tapas, with the menu rotating occasionally.
8. Rosario Varela
Best known for their sangria, Rosario Velarez is the perfect place to sit outside and enjoy a cold drink in the warmer months. You can’t choose the tapas here, so prepare to be surprised with what you are going to get!
9. Carmelas
Carmelas has two locations in the city, and also serves as a regular restaurant if you are in the mood for a sit-down meal. One offers a variety of seafood tapas, and the other is more traditional tapas. Both offer small and cozy vibes, and you will find many locals standing around the bar with a beer.
10. Bar Ichiban
Finally, as a last tapas bar option and for something completely different than the other restaurants, Bar Ichiban is the perfect place for some sushi rolls and dumplings. Although the tapas are on the smaller side, the menu is extensive, and you can even order additional tapas for only 1 euro! This is the perfect place to go if you are craving Japanese food.
Although Granada is a much smaller city than Barcelona, Madrid, and Sevilla, the unique tapas culture draws millions of visitors every year (along with the beautiful Alhambra, one of the most-visited monuments in the world located on the edge of the city).
Visiting Granada? Check out the 10 Best Things to do in Granada, Spain.