The Best Restaurants in Zaragoza

The only restaurant in Zaragoza to have been awarded a Michelin star, La Prensa is a family-run restaurant opened by the father of the current owner, David Pérez, who is also the sommelier. The kitchen is run by Marisa Barberán who draws her inspiration from the produce and flavours of Spanish and Aragonese cuisine but gives free reign to her own creativity. The result is eye-catching dishes which are elegant, exciting, sometimes surprising and always satisfying.

A sophisticated restaurant with a charming courtyard terrace, El Chalet is located in a former town house or chalet which has preserved much of its original pizzaz. Those with a sense of adventure will enjoy the tasting menu option which comes with an array of enticing amuse bouche. The dishes are all carefully presented and often showcase seasonal ingredients such as new peas, asparagus or artichokes. Curiously, the house proudly specialises in steak tartare which is prepared rather spectacularly in front of the customer.

Like a breath of fresh air on the Zaragoza restaurant scene, Cancook is a sophisticated fine-dining restaurant unafraid to challenge the status quo. The restaurant is run by chef Ramcés Gonzalez and sommelier Diego Millán – both in their early twenties – and has managed to set itself apart thanks to its combination of culinary adventurousness and finesse. The tasting menu is the only option offered at Cancook but with dishes so enticing and fun, why would you want to have to choose anyway?

With a name meaning ‘burns’ in Spanish, Quema is a Spanish restaurant which knows how to use a grill. Using only fresh and wherever possible, seasonal ingredients, the chefs prepare elegant dishes which reflect the traditions of Spanish gastronomy without being afraid of a little fusion or creative licence. The stylish modern dining room enables guests to see the chefs at work while enjoying the atmosphere conferred on the restaurant by its presence in the Aragonese contemporary arts and culture centre, the IAACC.

El Pancetas is one of those great local restaurants which offers home-made, carefully prepared and tastefully presented food without any pomp or fuss. Describing itself as a bocateria or ‘sandwich shop’, El Pancetas is in fact a gourmet eatery offering a regularly changing selection of small sharing dishes, all presented with the kind of detail and style you’d expect in a fine-dining restaurant. Even the sandwiches! Don’t be put off by the humble décor, the food is what you’re here for.

Located on the outskirts of Zaragoza, Bistro Casa & Tinelo is an all day restaurant whose owners come from a family of farmers and meat suppliers. As such, they choose to work with the best quality produce to cook homemade dishes which are both flavoursome and affordable. Dishes are prepared with care and feature certain creative twists without being overcomplicated or pretentious. The restaurant has a large outdoor terrace, as well as ample seating inside with large bay windows, creating a welcome sense of openness and connection with the outside.

One of Zaragoza’s most well-known restaurants, Gorolai is like a vitamin burst with its bright orange tables and vivid green walls. This is the kind of place which likes to dress things up a little, with even the simplest of dishes getting a smudge of this or a drizzle of that for full effect on the plate – and locals clearly love it. The dishes are rather creative sounding variations on classic Spanish dishes and can nearly all be ordered as either a full portion or a half portion, ideal for sharing.