Eating out in Montefrio
Montefrio used to have a lot of bars and restaurants – post pandemic there are fewer. Below are some that we use. The food is consistently good and the so is the service. However, there are many others that provide similar quality. It is always best to find your own favourite place. It’s a good idea to reserve a table in advance if you can since there are fewer places to eat a meal then there used to be.
During working days, most serve a daily menu (menu del dia) at lunchtime with a fixed choice of dishes for a very reasonable price. In Spain, the main meal tends to be eaten at lunch time. If you are given a menu (la carta) without being told about the daily menu be sure to ask.
- Bar El Titi – good food and tapas, excellent staff, dining room, warm in winter and cool in summer, terrace
- Bar Casablanca – good food, tapas, nice situation with small plaza, terrace, separate dining room
- El Pregonero – a Montefrio institution, good food, tapas, friendly staff, separate dining room, terrace
- Jomay – Good tapas, friendly staff, terrace
Outside Montefrio
- El Barrio in Alcala La Real – very good value menu, friendly staff
- Flati’s in Loja – excellent family run restaurant and bar, excellent food, look out for local produce, especially lamb which has DOP status.
- Restaurant Galvez in Loja – a very good family restaurant.
- Casa Piolas in Algarinejo – fine dining at less than fine dining price, well worth a visit. Has a very nice dining room but you can also eat in the bar for a more casual experience. Lovely food.
- Bar Patri – Santa Ana near Alcala La Real – a very good family restaurant.
- La Tomatina – Santa Ana – another very good family restaurant.
GRANADA
Granada is famous for its tapas – so many to choose from. Be careful in Granada – you can get ripped off in bars and restaurants. If you like a particular kind of food drop me a line. I know of a very good vegetarian restaurant and a seafood one but both are a bit off the beaten track. Vegans are also catered for. Be aware that vegetarianism is frowned upon in Andalucia (only joking) but there is a lot of emphasis on meat which is strange given the quality of the vegetables, pulses and fruits here. Goes back to hungrier times I think. There are more and more vegeterian and vegan restaurants in Granada especially in the calle Elvira and Juderia area. Also Granada and Jaen provinces are the only provinces in Spain that provide ‘free’ tapas with drinks (you may not get them if you are drinking spirits, depends on the bar). Also you may only get crisps/nuts/olives if the chef has not started work yet.
Granada is rightly proud of its tapas tradition but some say it this tradition that prevents Granada from having any Michelin starred restaurants. Notwithstanding that, there are many fine dining restaurants in Granada and province. There are also some very good Japanese restaurants which are becoming popular. You may be asked to pay for tapas in some bars in Granada – usually this would be for a package of drinks and tapas combined. Outside of Granada and Jaen, you pay for tapas, although the portions are bigger (not always though).
Also a shout out for tostada con tomate. A simple way of starting the day – toast spread with olive oil and grated tomato, maybe with a little jamon serrano – with coffee and orange juice sublime!