Tapas in Granada are an integral part of the city’s culinary culture. Granada is famous for its tradition of serving complimentary tapas, something to eat with drinks, making it a unique experience for visitors and locals alike. This tradition originated as a way to cover glasses of wine or sherry with a piece of bread or a small plate to help keep flies away. The small plates became known as tapas, which translates into a top or cover, and over time, evolved into the culinary custom that Granada is famous for today.
As easy as that sounds, some rules and customs apply to the generosity of free tapas. Knowing them will allow you to enjoy the experience as a true Granadino and not be left wondering why your drink order didn’t come with a snack. Here are some things you should know.
Size and Quantity
Tapas in Granada are typically substantial and filling, unlike pintxos or a small bowl of olives or nuts, which you may find in other regions of Spain. It’s common for a tapa in Granada to be a complete dish, providing enough sustenance for a light meal. The generosity of portion sizes is one of the reasons Granada stands out in the tapas scene.
Free vs. Charged Tapas
While the traditional practice in Granada is to receive a free tapa with your drink, which will usually cost you around 3€, some establishments have started offering a choice between a free tapa or a more elaborate tapa for an additional charge. Most places will also allow you to order a tapa extra for around 1.50€ without another drink order. If you are still hungry, ask for la carta and order raciones, or bigger plates of the bar’s specialties.
Accompanying Drinks
Free tapas in Granada are usually served with a variety of drinks, favorites being regional wines, a local beer like Alhambra 1925, or a glass of vermouth, known around here as vermú. Of course, you can also choose from a wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages like soft drinks, juices or bottled water, which will still come with a tapa. Tapas do not typically accompany cocktails or mixed drinks, but most bars will serve those with a bowl of mixed nuts or gummy candies.
Tapeando
You’ll often hear locals say, “Vamos de tapas!” or “Vamos a tapear!” The verb tapear specifically refers to the experience of going from bar to bar, sampling tapas and enjoying drinks with friends. Granada is ideal for tapa crawls as tapas bars are usually concentrated in neighborhoods throughout the city. The most famous areas to tapear are Calle Navas, the Realejo and the downtown area near the Cathedral – although there are also plenty of bars in the residential areas further away from the center that offer more generous portions and charge less for accompanying drinks.
Ordering Tapas
Tapas bars in Granada can be divided into two types: those where you can choose your tapa from a carta de tapas or the classic bar that serves house specialties without asking for your preference. These traditional tapas bars might serve several of their famous dishes as tapas or switch between a few favorites, depending on the day of the week or time of year. Most places also rotate their tapas, meaning a different one accompanies each subsequent drink order. Bars with a special tapas menu allow you to pick what you’d like with each drink order. However, if you are with a large group, usually only up to two tapa varieties may be chosen with each round. More often than not, tapas for everyone in your group will arrive on a single plate, perfect for sharing.
No Tapas
Tapas are meant to be enjoyed with drinks, and some places will stop serving them once you order a meal, even if you continue to order drinks throughout dinner. The assumption is that once you’ve moved onto your plato principal, you will no longer be interested in picking on appetizers. Keep in mind that most restaurants close their kitchens between lunch and dinner, and despite being able to order drinks during those hours, they will usually not be accompanied by tapas. There are a few bars, however, especially in touristy areas, that offer tapas at all hours of the day. If you want to ensure a place serves tapas before ordering your drink, simply ask the bartender or waiter, “Hay tapas ahora?”
Stay Longer Team Tip! If you have any food allergies, intolerances or preferences, it’s best to let the waiter know as you order your drinks – exchanging a free tapas is not commonplace practice and will likely be frowned upon.
