Granada Restaurants

The management here have a tongue-in-cheek attitude to the entertainment business and like to surprise and amuse their regulars. They change the décor all the time and whenever they feel in the mood they put on a special party, maybe at Carnival time or Halloween, for example. As for the music, you'll hear a naff old hit from the 1970s followed by the latest techno sound followed by something completely different. All in all, the place adds a bit of fun and glamour to the old neighbourhood, and gays and straights can mix freely.

This old-fashioned bar and restaurant serves excellent tapas and the menu features a great variety of cold meat and cheese platters, as well as roast meats and roast potatoes. The two floors are beautifully decorated with dark, aged wood and old sherry adverts that make you feel as if you were in a 17th-century tavern. Outside, there is a narrow terrace where you can sit on a quiet side street. The waiters are experienced and friendly, and everything to do with the place is top quality. Funnily enough, it always seems to be either packed or empty when you come here. Nevertheless, even if it's packed you'll find a space.

The first thing you'll notice about Casa Henrique are the antique barrels of wine and sherry, kept there in an attempt to lend to it's old fashioned decor. Henrique is well loved for its famous vino costa, which is a smooth wine which compliments any tapas served here. Talking about tapas, this is a great place to catch some over with friends. Although the place can get a bit too cramped at times, the food makes up for what it lacks in space. Savor some generous portions of delightful items like Serrano ham and the specialty of the house—heaping plates of steamed mussels cooked with fresh herbs and white wine.

Restaurante Chikito is one of Granada's favorite family restaurants for a quality Granadino meal. Although it is not cheap by Spanish standards, it is quite common to see the place full on a weekend. It's very popular for its authentic cuisine among the people of Granada. Try their specialty, the Tortilla Sacromonte, which is supposedly the most traditional dish from the region. Or opt for some of their risque items which include baked tuna, oxtail, sopa sevillana, shrimp cocktail, Basque hake, zarzuela, grilled swordfish and Argentine-style veal steak to name a few. Although most preparations follow traditional methods, they don't lack variety, quality and elaborate decorations. Dine outdoors on the terrace in the summers and enjoy the weather while you sip on refreshing drinks.

Snuggled right into the walls of the Sultan's palace, this little unpretentious eatery is a popular favorite of poets, artists and lovers. The ambiance and decor is traditional as the building itself dates to the 19th century. Marvel at the beautiful, charming and old Andalusian fountain in the garden, which adds to the romantic charm of this place. The food at La Mimbre is amazing, close to perfect by traditional standards. The chef cooks some of the best smoked cod appetizer platter, salad of string beans and slices of cooked ham. These are best enjoyed with the premium wines, among which a lot of regional wines are great options from the vast wine list.

Not many can find this little mesón (inn), unless you are a local who is well versed with the area. But if you do come across Alhabaca, consider yourself very lucky for the food here is extremely delicious and mouth-watering. Owned by Javier Jiménez, this old-fashioned restaurant appears rustic with bare white walls, but it promises a meal that is fit for king. Some of the crowd pullers are salmorejo which is creamy tomato gazpacho and stuffed salmon and the pastel de berenjena con salmón marinado, which is a layered pastry with eggplant and marinated salmon. For dessert you have to gorge on the velvety yogurt mousse, which is an absolute indulgent treat.

The club that only plays rock music in Granada, The Who is a popular nocturnal haunt along with the resident DJ Paco Burgos.

This café has an old-fashioned feel to it, as if it hadn't changed much from when it opened in 1919. It serves excellent hot chocolate with churros (fried dough fritters) and coffee with ice cream. You can sit outside on the terrace and appreciate the flower arrangements on Plaza de Bib-Rambla. The other thing the kitchen does well here are platters of mixed cold meats. The interior decor is pretty simple and basic, which is fair enough because they're not charging tourist or fancy decor prices.

Tourists in particular like this pasta and pizza restaurant because they know what they're going to get, and because they can order in their own language (as the waiters speak Italian, English, French, German and Spanish). The huge terrace and widely-spaced tables mean that you can eat in peace and comfort in one of the city's prettiest squares, Plaza de Bib-Rambla. It specializes in fresh homemade pasta and desserts. The short wine list has an acceptable range of decent wines.

In the little Arab quarter off Calle Elvira, at the foot of the Albayzín, there are only two Middle Eastern/North African restaurants worth sitting down in for a proper meal: this one and Arrayanes. The rest are not much more than sandwich bars and teashops. Here you'll find a good range of starters including humus, falafel, yoghurt dips, walnut and red pepper paste, aubergine dips and Arab salad with bulgur wheat and mint. The main courses are substantial. You can choose from couscous, tajines, roasts, baked fish and savoury pies. One of the best dishes is the Lebanese-style lamb, with rice, pine nuts, lamb, herbs and spices. The wine list offers a good selection of reds and whites. The decor is typical of a Lebanese restaurant.

You could just spend hours sitting on the terrace of this restaurant looking at the sun setting over the most inspiring Moorish architecture left in Europe - the Alhambra. The view is simply magnificent from this vantage point by San Nicolás square at the top of the Albayzín. The food offers good local dishes. The menu changes often to take advantage of the freshest ingredients of the season. It's worth asking what the specials are. The wine list is good. You can use the bar for drinks and tapas, use the rustic-style dining room or terrace for meals or book one of the function rooms for a special event.

If you're looking for some Chinese specialties, go no further than Nan Kin. The restaurant features traditional Chinese cuisine at reasonable prices. Open for lunch and dinner.

Do not miss Carmen Verde Luna if you are in the mood for some authentic seafood. Located in the Albayzín area, this restaurant offers alfresco dining with a breathtaking view of the Alhambra. Mostly popular with young couples, Carmen Verde Luna is your best option, if you want to treat your partner to a quiet and romantic dinner. A co-operative and friendly staff is ever ready to guide you through the impressive menu. No matter what you have for main course, start your meal with the restaurant's famous Gazpacho Soup.

This club attracts mainly a student crowd for its regular sessions. It also organizes the occasional live concert. There are two floors, each with a different feel. The upper floor, where the toilets and cloakroom are, is a quiet bar where you can sit and drink in peace. Downstairs, the lights are dimmed, the DJs play chart hits and everyone dances. The regular DJs are Sergio Bastida and DJ Toner. Planta Baja has been in business for the last 17 years. The cover charge includes your first drink.

There's a different special offer here nearly every day of the week except Mondays, when it's closed. Wednesday is cheap beer day. On Thursdays, it's shots that are cheap. Live bands are organized on Fridays. A professional DJ from a national radio station called Cadena 100 is in charge of the music on Saturdays. Tuesdays are the only days when things are full price. It's a cheap and cheerful sort of place to organize your own parties. Try one of the magical house shots: Milikito, Cabezatonic or Frankie the Fly.