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A Comer:
What and Where to Eat

The south of Spain is famous for two things: siestas and the idea of tapear.

Siesta is a restful period during the day, usually in the early afternoon, when most local businesses and retail stores close down so that employees can go home to dine with their families or out for lunch. The break usually lasts for one to two hours. Many Andalucians can be found at a local bar or restaurant, enjoying a beverage while eating tapas.

Tapas, or to tapear, is a culinary lifestyle in Andalucia. Tapas are small plates of food, typical of the region, that are served either in groups or all at once - typically, they are meant to be shared. As with all things, Andalucians view dining as a social, communal experience that should be spent with friends and family. To learn more about some of the typical dishes that are offered all over Andalucia, see the menu below.

(To view it on a larger, higher-resolution scale, simply click on the photo)

SEVILLA
 The best part about visiting Sevilla is that you can find great places to eat and drink in every area of the city. When I was living in Sevilla, my favorite part of the city to go for tapas was Barrio Santa Cruz, an area centrally-located by the Cathedral, Alcazar and the Ayuntamiento (City Hall).
Click HERE to view some restaurant suggestions in Barrio Santa Cruz, pictured below.

However, if you want to get a little shopping in before you eat, I recommend venturing down the streets west of City Hall, such as Calle Sierpes or Calle Tetuan. These tight-knit streets adorned with shops also feature many small tapas bars and restaurants that are fun to sit down and have a meal after a long day of siteseeing or shopping.

If you feel like venturing slightly outside of the city center, I recommend walking the bridge to Triana and sitting down at a restaurant by the river for tapas and a refreshing tinto verano, by far my favorite drink in Spain (a mixture of chilled red wine and flavored seltzer water). Calle Betis, which runs along the river, features many restaurants and bars to visit during the day, as well as a nightlife scene should you like to extend your stay in this area of the city.


CORDOBA
 The people of Cordoba have incorporated the traditional foods of their history into the local gastronomy of today. Many traditional restaurants in Cordoba feature dishes adorned with nuts or raisins, a tribute to the Arabic culture that once occupied the city. The Romans introduced olive oil to Cordoba, which has heavily influenced local dishes.

One dish in particular that - while present all throughout Spain - is prized in Cordoba is Salmorejo. Salmorejo is a cold soup, thicker in texture and prepared with tomato, bread, olive oil and usually garnished with jamon (ham) and hard-boiled egg. It is a delicious and truly unique dish!

The several times that I dined in Cordoba, I enjoyed eating in the Historic Quarter, near the Mezquita, as well as in City Center. However if you know there is a specific area of Cordoba that you will be staying and would like to find dining in your region, click HERE to view restaurant selections throughout the city.


MALAGA
 Because of its coastal location, Malaga features a highly-influenced "Mediterranean diet" of mariscos (seafood). If you are looking to try traditional food, I definitely recommend the local seafood, including Seafood Paella.

Paella is a relished dish all throughout Spain. Like its coastal cousin of Valencia, Malaguena paella recipes call for saffron rice, broth, vegetables: including peas, peppers and onion, chorizo or chicken and traditional seafood: prawns, calamari, scallops, etc.

There are many great places to eat in Malaga. While I was there, I dined close to the old historic center in the shopping district, enjoying the modern feel of the stores paired with the old-world dining and architecture.

Another feature of Malaga that I loved was the option for beach dining. After spending a long day on Playa Malagueta, you can take a quick stroll up the sand to one of the many local bars with simple, outdoor seating.

In the past few decades, Malaga has experienced a culinary revolution, where many chefs have taken the traditional style of the Mediterranean influences and refined them into more modern cuisine. International cuisine has also made its way into Malaga, allowing for more variety in eating. I found an interesting blog, "Eating Out in Malaga," that is dedicated to reviewing all types of restaurants in the city. I definitely recommend reading it over for some dining ideas!


GRANADA
 If you're a fan of free food, then Granada is the city to be! It is custom in Granada to receive a complimentary tapa upon ordering a drink, something that I fell in love with and absolutely took advantage of once I found out its secret. Many times the tapas will follow a sequence, starting with a small ensalada (salad) and advancing on to meats, cheeses and other tapas that we've highlighted.

Imagine, sitting back and enjoying your free tapas all the while taking in a majestic view of the Alhambra. Oh, and I forget to mention the best part - washing it down with Granada's very own beer, "Alhambra"!

Another interesting dining experience in Granada is to visit a teteria, or teahouse. An Arabic influence from when the Moors occupied Granada, teterias commonly offer an arrangement of teas, coffees and pastries.

There is so much to see and do in Granada. In addition to receiving complimentary tapas, many of the restaurants feature flamenco performances.


Andalucia is a region with unique culinary elements that tell the story of the history of southern Spain,
as well as the components of every day life that the people of Andalucia still value and hold dear.

For More Information on Dining in Andalucia, Visit:

Where to Eat in Seville - Eating Out Guide
Guide to Cordoba: Where to Eat
Guide to Malaga: Where to Eat
Eating Out in Granada - Cuisine and Where to Eat in Granada


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