Andalusia’s Sierra Nevada is home to some fantastic places to eat and drink, many of them boasting terraces with spectacular views. Read on for our pick of the best restaurants in Spain’s largest natural park.
This modern restaurant is one of the most popular post-skiing hangouts in the town of Sierra Nevada (also referred to as Pradollano). Customers here love the inventive menu, standout dishes of which include the “Visera” pizza and the salmorejo. Best of all, though, are the stunning views of the ski resort and the mountains beyond.
Located in the pretty Alpujarran village of Lanjarón, Restaurante Asador Parque offers great views from its outside terrace – the perfect spot for a long lunch or romantic dinner. Standout dishes include the salmón al limón (salmon with lemon) and the solomillo de ternera a la brasa (grilled beef fillet). Super-friendly staff make dining here even more of a treat.
For hearty, abuela (grandmother)-style cooking in Capileira, head to Restaurante Moraima. Located on the main drag, it does a great-value menú del dia (menu of the day) – just what you need after a day’s hiking – for just €10.50 (USD$12.25). Must-try dishes are the chicken in almond sauce (a regional speciality), the ribs and the roasted sardines with tomato.
La Fragua is often named as the best restaurant in the spectacularly-appointed town of Trevélez. From a terrace with fantastic views, you can tuck into traditional dishes such as the plato Alpujarreño – a siesta-inducing combo of chorizo, jamón, morcilla (blood sausage), fried eggs and potatoes. The restaurant is part of the superb Hotel La Fragua.
The sleek and stylish Restaurante Badia opened two years ago and has since become one of the ski resort’s most talked about places to eat. It’s known for the quality of its meat dishes, with customers raving about the perfectly-cooked steaks and the homemade burgers. Apart from the food, Badia’s other draw is a vast terrace overlooking the sunny slopes.
If you’re visiting the Alpujarran village of Pampaneira – one of three in the stunning Poquiera valley – don’t leave without eating at Asador El Lagar. This charming restaurant churns out some of the best food around and is famed for its enormous portions, so make sure you’re hungry before you order. The homemade burger, for example, contains 200 grams (7oz) of meat.
The Cumbres Verdes (Green Peaks) is a region in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada that’s popular for walking and cycling. The area’s best restauarnt is La Fuente del Hervidero, a rustic country establishment hardly known to tourists. Take a seat on its massive terrace after a day’s hiking or biking and enjoy a cold beer (Alhambra, naturally) and some hearty Andalusian food.