Recs for Barcelona, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla in early April?

Regional Dining Discussions Italy, Spain, Portugal
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This April, I will be taking my first trip to Spain (Barcelona, Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, and Sevilla). I’d love feedback on my list of restaurants so far. Are any of them too similar?

I’m excited to be in Andalusia during snail season! I’d love to try a wide range of cuisine, from more traditional local specialities to more sophisticated offerings, as long as the place is conducive to me dining solo. Which local markets should I not miss for produce or small bites?

Should I plan to take the breakfast option at my hotels or are there good local places for quick morning bites in most of these cities?

With Semana Santa at the start of my trip, I have some specific questions:

BARCELONA: Where would be a good place near Plaza Catalunya for dinner on Good Friday that doesn’t need reservations? (My plane lands at 4:45 but can’t predict delays.)

Any lunch recs for Holy Saturday near Casa Batllo?

Malaga: any recs for a late night bite near Teatro Romano after my plane lands around 11 PM?

Will any restaurants be open for lunch on Easter Sunday? Eyeing La Cosmopolita based on Maribel’s rec or Los Marangos Alamos from Ziv’s recent report.

Granada: Will restaurants be open for dinner on Easter Sunday? Currently considering Mirador de Morayma

Best places for lunch after visiting Alhambra?

Los Diamantes?

Is Bar Aliatar Los Caracoles a good place for dinner in Albaicín? Any other recs? How about suggestions for tea rooms?

CORDOBA:

Lunch 1 at Casa el Pisto

Dinner at Mercado de la Victoria or Regadera?

Lunch 2 at Casa Pepe de la Juderia or Casa Mazal after visiting Mezquita

Is it worth staying one more night to have dinner at NOOR?

SEVILLA:

Dinner 1 at Tradevo Centro

Lunch 1 at Augurio

Dinner 2 at La Azotea or Casa Robles before flamenco

Lunch 2 at Barra Baja

BARCELONA:

Dinner 1: Taberna Noroeste

Dinner 2: Devour Tapas Tour? Is it worth a group tour to sample more dishes or should I just venture on my own?

Finally, where can I pick up snacks and some packable meals for the plane ride back to San Francisco?

Thanks in advance! This board was so helpful for planning my Portugal trip last December, and I hope to have another delicious adventure.

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In Granada, a definite yes on Los Diamantes. And my favorite meal earlier this year was at barFM.

In Cordoba I loved my meal at the Sephardic restaurant Casa Masal.

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for great ambiance and snails (and other specialties), you could look at “Los Caracoles” in Barcelona. https://www.loscaracoles.es/index.php?lang=en

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As a solo traveler, I always think food tours are worth it but it depends on how much time you have in a certain city. They can be a great way to sample local cuisine, learn some history of the city and neighborhoods, get a feel for the location, return to places that you really enjoyed and chat with people from all over the world. Do both, wander on your own and a food tour, if you can.
Also, I’ve never had a problem with any restaurant in Spain as a solo diner, if you’re experiencing problems booking for one online, and you’re staying at a hotel, ask the front desk make the reso for you if they can. Sitting at the bar is always a favorite place for me when eating solo, and probably the easiest seat to secure as a single diner.
Have fun!

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I absolutely adored El Xampanyet in Barcelona — so much so that we went twice in the short time we visited, but I see it’s a 25 min car ride from Plaza Cataluña, so it may not be feasible.

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Granada: Post-Alhambra we were starving and had no plan. Tried to waltz in to Restaurante Jardines Alberto for a quick snack to decompress after the lengthy Alhambra visit but were unfortunately denied.

For a tea room we went to El Bañuelo as its patio has a great view of the Alhambra, and it overlooks the Arab baths directly below. We went following Moroccan for lunch at Arrayan.

+1 for Bar FM.

Barra Baja in Sevilla was top-notch. Great pick. We went for dinner though. Not sure if a different menu from lunch.

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I’m a huge fan of Bar FM just note it requires a taxi ride to and from (8-10min). it’s some of the best seafood in Andalusia and well worth it. You can reserve for dinner (if they are open) and go long after the sun has gone down and all but the night time tour of the Alhambra are closed. Do not miss the quisiquillas.

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