What was once the capital of the Nasrid emirate in the year 1238 is today one of Spain’s (and the world’s) leading cultural, historical, and gastronomic destinations. The jewel in the region’s crown, the Alhambra Palace, built to house the emir and court of the Nasrid kingdom, is today the most popular tourist sight in the province of Granada, and understandably so. Equally as impressive is the area’s cuisine, which is worthy of recognition in its own right.
Home-Style Cooking
In addition to classic dishes and the tapas for which the city is renowned, Granada is also home to a variety of gastronomic options to suit all tastes. The Atelier Casa de Comidas is the perfect place in which to embark upon your exploration of the city’s flavors. Thanks to dishes on the à la carte and tasting menu that are prepared using locally sourced seasonal ingredients, guests can enjoy a contemporary journey across the flavors of Andalusia with an emphasis on the use of modern techniques.
An Ode to the Land
In one of Granada’s most attractive urban settings, namely the Paseo del Salón and Paseo de la Bomba, you’ll find the María de la O restaurant, occupying a 19th-century mansion and offering cuisine focused around traditional cooking where fresh fish takes center stage. With Chechu González at the helm in the kitchen, this restaurant is an ode to top-quality ingredients from the sea, mountains, and local kitchen gardens, as well as Granada’s and Andalusia’s love of sauces. The latter are a key element in the enjoyment of an entire tasting menu which is inspired by an array of stocks, salsas, and escabeches that help to create unique combinations of flavors.
This concept of updated traditional cuisine is also in evidence at the restaurant Cala, which sports an open kitchen so diners can feel more immersed in the experience. Dishes are served in two tasting menu formats (Lirio and Cala) and showcase seasonal ingredients with a nod to Gallic cuisine thanks to the French roots of Chef Samuel Hernández.
City Views
Located on top of the Centro Cultural CajaGranada Memoria de Andalucía, the dining experience at Arriaga begins with its spectacular views. In this setting 60 meters above street level, San Sebastián-born chef Álvaro Arriaga conjures up cuisine centered around an updated take on traditional cooking and prepared using local ingredients. On his two tasting menus he transforms his passion for gourmet cuisine into an edible art form!
A Hotel with an Aristocratic Feel
A historic air pervades the Hospes Palacio de los Patos in the center of the city, a hotel occupying a 19th-century palace that will ensure your stay in Granada will be a unique experience. The combination of the building’s period architecture and its modern, luxurious design will add the icing on the cake to any visit to the city.
Destination Dining
For those keen to discover the array of delightful options in the area surrounding the city, such as the Alpujarras mountains, you’ll be rewarded with culinary jewels such as La Finca, the only MICHELIN-Starred restaurant in the province of Granada. It certainly lives up to its reputation, thanks not just to its cooking, but also its location within the confines of the La Bobadilla hotel, which has been awarded One MICHELIN Key. This 400 hectare property has Arab-influenced design and stands amid a sea of olive trees, just one hour from the city. Here, on his two tasting menus, Fernando Arjona (under the guidance of Pablo González) offers a journey through traditional local cuisine via cutting-edge techniques and nods to typical recipes from the province of Málaga.
These are just a few ideas to help guide you on your gourmet discoveries around the city and province of Granada, a destination that is well worth exploring on a longer, more relaxed holiday to enable you to enjoy your visit to the full while staying in accommodation worthy of royalty!
Hero Image: View of the Alhambra in Granada (© GettyImages)
