Our Top 7 Culinary Picks For Traveling Through Spain’s Wine Country
If there was ever a trip that we would recommend to friends, it would be traveling to the wine regions of Spain. We do this for a living and we’ve been to many places, but there is something so intimate and special about Spain that makes it feel like home.
With its diverse landscape and rich culinary heritage, this beautiful European country has something to satisfy every palate, even for some of our pickiest friends.
Every Spanish wine-producing region has unique characteristics and flavors. Not surprisingly, these regions host some of the world’s most renowned restaurants as well, including centuries-old wineries and tapas bars.
The wine regions include:
- Barcelona
- Castilla La Mancha
- Green Spain
- Levante
- Mallorca
- Ribera del Duero
- Rioja
Whatever your preference might be, we’ve got you covered – here are some best restaurants in the wine regions of Spain:
Disfrutar | Wine Region: Barcelona
Disfrutar (meaning “enjoy” in English) is a top-of-the-line culinary experience situated just outside the Ninot Market in Barcelona’s Eixample district. In Barcelona, the country’s capital located on the coast of northeastern Spain, it is nearly impossible to choose just one restaurant – but Disfrutar is that good. Wine pairings are offered at the restaurant, along with tasting menus featuring Mediterranean seafood. In addition to its beautiful dining area, Disfrutar has an outdoor terrace. The restaurant received third place in 2022 for The 50 World’s Best Restaurants. Located at C. de Villarroel, 163, 08036 Barcelona. Current tours to this region can be found here.
Cenador de las Monjas | Wine Region: Castilla La Mancha
Cenador de las Monjas was originally part of the San José Convent and dates back to the 16th century. An antique-decorated dining hall once housed a nuns’ quarter. Located in the Castilla-La Mancha region in central Spain to the south and east of Madrid, guests can choose from a menu of traditional and local dishes. Seasonal vegetables are grown in their orchards along the river Arles. A wide selection of wines is available at the restaurant, as well as delectable homemade desserts. Cenador de las Monjas is located at Travesia Ines, 1 19100 Pastrana.
The Corral del Indianu | Wine Region: Green Spain
The Corral del Indianu Restaurant in Arriondes, Asturias serves international cuisine in the charming village of Arriondes. The restaurant is located in the popular Green Spain region, which stretches along the Atlantic coast from Portugal to France and is characterized by its lush natural landscape. The restaurant offers à la carte, tasting menus, and classics, making it an ideal place to spend an afternoon or evening. Featuring a spacious terrace, the restaurant is bright, airy, and full of natural light. We recommended you order the local wine, cordial, or cider at El Corral del Indianu. Corral del Indianu is located at Europe Avenue, 14, Arriondas, 33540, Asturias.
Restaurante Levante Valencia | Wine Region: Levante
Locals hail Restaurante Levante Valencia as the best place to get paella in Valencia, as it serves both Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. Located in Levante, an eastern region of the Iberian Peninsula, on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Popular paella selections include chicken, rabbit, and local beans. A family-run establishment with more than 50 years of tradition recently moved to a new location. In the Restaurante Levante Valencia’s cellar, guests can choose from 10,000 bottles of Spanish wines to pair with their meals. Modern and cozy, Restaurante Levante Valencia has an intimate atmosphere. You can find it at Ave. de Manuel de Falla, 12, 46015 València. Currenttrips to this region can be found here.
Adrian Quetglas Restaurant | Wine Region: Mallorca
Adrián Quetglas is a popular Palma restaurant in Spain’s Binissalem-Mallorca region on Mallorca, one of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. An award-winning chef owns and operates this bistro-style restaurant with its welcoming atmosphere. This restaurant is known for its superior combinations of flavors and excellent wine pairings. It offers an affordable tasting menu for lunch and a longer one for dinner. Centrally located at Passeig de Mallorca, 20, 07012 Palma, Illes Balears. Trips to this region can be found here.
El Lagar de Isilla Restaurant | Wine Region: Ribera del Duero
El Lagar de Isilla is an upscale restaurant and winery about two hours from Madrid in the largest red wine-producing region in Spain, Ribera del Duero. In this authentic Castilian rustic home, the restaurant is decorated with antiques and traditional tables. A great tapas menu and a reservation-based dinner menu are available at the restaurant, which serves roast baby lamb, meats, fish, and modern dishes. There is a roasting oven and an open grill on the ground floor dining area, while the upstairs dining area is available for private events and wine tastings. Wines from the Ribera del Duero and the in-house collection are available. The restaurant is located at C. Isilla, 1809400 Aranda de Duero, Burgos.
Mesón Chuchi | Wine Region: Rioja
Mesón Chuchiyo serves traditional local dishes paired with world-class wines. A premier restaurant in the Rioja region in North Central Spain, just an hour’s drive south of Bilbao. Throughout the generations, the highest standards of service and quality have been maintained. Using the most traditional Rioja recipes, Meson Chuchi’s menu is deeply tied to La Rioja. Appetizers consist of salad, Rioja-style potatoes, vegetables, and beans. Their main course consists of their famous roast meats and fresh fish from the Bay of Biscay paired with what some consider the best wine in the world. The traditional celebration of flavors and aromas ends with homemade desserts. Located at Vitoria Highway, 2 Fuenmayor (La Rioja).
Tell us…
If you’re looking for a vacation with great food and wine, Spain should definitely be on your list. In addition to the wine regions we mentioned, there are many others throughout the country, each with its own unique characteristics. And the locals are passionate about their food and wine – so you can be sure that you’ll get an authentic experience wherever you go.
Have you been to Spain’s wine country? What was your favorite region to explore? Check out our latest tours at Wine Lovers Travel.