Our List of The Absolute Best Restaurants in Granada

This blog post was originally posted on July 30, 2017, and was updated on April 17, 2019. 

As one of the few cities left in Spain where tapas often come free with your drink, Granada is foodie heaven. But with so many places to eat in the city, where are the absolute best restaurants in Granada? Here are our picks!

We all want the best of the best while on holiday: the best hotel, the best sights and, of course, the best food! The variety of restaurants in Granada is one of our favorite things about the city. From small tapas bars with traditional bites to modern fusion restaurants and everything in between! Check out our choices for the best restaurants in Granada and make sure every meal is a great one!

SEE ALSO: The Best 9 Tapas Bars in Granada

Not sure where to eat? This quick guide will give you five fabulous suggestions for the best restaurants in Granada.

La Auténtica Carmela

Located in the center of the city, close to the Cathedral and Plaza Nueva, La Auténtica Carmela is a modern, award-winning restaurant, using traditional Andalusian ingredients. Inside you’ll find a sleek interior with exposed stone walls, purple spotlights and hand-painted artwork. We can’t get enough of their menu featuring Iberian rice with chorizo and artichokes, scrambled eggs with potatoes or roast lamb in its own juice.

Restaurante Chikito

One of the best restaurants in Granada, Restaurante Chikito opened in 1976. It stands on the grounds of the legendary Café Alameda. This café is where celebrated poet Federico García Lorca and other Granadino intellectuals used to gather. In fact, there is a statue of García Lorca that still sits in the corner. The menu features both classic Granadino cuisine, as well as Arabic-influenced Andalusian cuisine. Think broad beans with ham for starters, a crispy fried fish platter for the main and a traditional pionono (a small cake topped with cream, cinnamon, and sugar syrup) for dessert.

Arrayanes

Moroccan cuisine may not be what you’re expecting when you visit Granada but the Moorish influence is clearly visible in the city’s cuisine. One of the best restaurants in Granada for Arabic-inspired cuisine, Arrayanes is an atmospheric spot, decorated with colorful fabrics, glowing lamps, tiles and fountains. The menu is filled with Moroccan favorites such as spiced couscous, fragrant tajines and lamb skewers.

Mirador de Morayma

Located high up in the Moorish Albayzín neighborhood, Mirador de Morayma offers one of the best views in the city, where you can dine overlooking the majestic Alhambra Palace. We love entering through its whitewashed Moorish archways into the charming courtyard decorated with plants and fountains. Filled with historic artifacts, paintings, and sculptures, this place feels more like a museum than a restaurant. Its menu features plenty of variations on Spanish tortilla, as well as seafood such as paprika-sprinkled octopus. Also, they serve meat dishes such as spring chicken with raisins and mushrooms, cooked in orange juice and red wine.