There’s a rich local culinary tradition in this region and dishes include Porra Archidonesa – a delicious tomato based dish – porrilla de setas – mixed wild mushrooms – or mini papanduas de bacalao – cod balls dressed in sugar cane honey. Molletes, hand made bread rolls, drizzled in olive oil are perfect for breakfast and for an afternoon snack the local convent sell homemade biscuits and cakes.
Archidona has a good selection of traditional Spanish eateries and an evening out is on the door step. Remember, the Spanish way of life sees people eating a lot later than some other countries, so where possible it’s always advisable to eat after 9.30pm to get the best experience!
Some of the options in Archidona are listed below:
The oldest bar in town, more traditional than this is hard to find. A well balanced tapas menu with specials every week. Try the berenjas con miel – deep fried aubergines drizzled in cane honey or Lomo al Sal, Cured pork loin on fresh bread.
With an Italian twist, Picasso serves Pizzas alongside Spanish favourites
Highly recommended and housed in ancient caves forming part of Plaza Ochavada, Arxiduna has a more modern, innovative menu offering a modern take on local cuisine.
In the Plaza Ochavada, this simple eatery offers good homemade pizza, local tapas and nice cold beers.
On the edge of town with lovely views across the sierra, beautiful at sunset. Traditional raciones and good steaks.
San Isidro offers a wide variety of local dishes on al a carte and menu del dia, popular with families on Sundays.
We’re incredibly lucky in Archidona for many reasons, but particularly when it comes to good places to eat within walking distance of Almohalla 51. But when we want to head out to the “campo” we’ve some great options too, all an easy drive or taxi ride away.
Road side “Ventas” dot the landscape in rural Spain; country restaurants with large open terraces in the summer basking in sun, or with a roaming fire in the cooler months to warm you up from the outside (well, it never really gets that cold!).
These eateries, often family run for generations, tend to focus on hearty meat dishes, and are hugely popular at weekends when friends and family get together and share an afternoon of eating, chatting and drinking. These occasions can go on for hours, engaging in what is known as ¨la sobremesa¨ when after the main meal, coffees, desserts, and more often than not, lícquers are enjoyed and the world is put to rights!
Were fortunate to have a couple a stones throw from Almohalla 51, so next time you come to stay, maybe try something different. Here are our Top 5 and we’re always happy to book a table when we can…
Whole leg of lamb marinated in garlic, Rosemary and thyme and slow roasted in a Wood fired oven at this great restaurant just down the road. Goes great with a good bottle of Rioja.
In nearby hamlet Salinas, this family run joint has a terrace at the front and a main dining room inside. Here you can get roasted meats (below), barbecued spatchcock, or if you are hungry enough they do a meat feast selection to share between 2 or 4. Go for a long walk before!
In the neighbouring town of Villanueva del Trabuco. This enormous place has a huge open fire with ham rocks roasting over it. You might have to queue but it’s worth it.
Pictured above, leaving Antequera in the direction of the Torcal National Park, it’s a small venta on the side of the road affectionately known as “the rabbit”, which serves exactly that. Roasted in garlic with enormous plates of home cooked chips and peppers, it’s basic, manic, and noisy, and the food is as tasty as hell!
For those of you that are more fish focused, on the motorway towards Granada you’ll hit an odd small town on the roadside, famed for trout. There are seemigly more restaurants than houses in RioFrio and given the trout farms and river there, it’s the main dish on offer. From trout caviar (above), to smoked trout, grilled or pan fried, it comes in a huge variety of ways.
Our favourite restaurant in Antequera is Arte de Cozina (or Arte de Tapas is the Tapas bar at the front of the restaurant) A family run restaurant serving beautiful and flavousome plates using ancient recipes recreated with a modern twist.
Andalucía is famous for its wide variety of sherries, but lesser known, great quality red and white wines are also produced locally. Mollina and Montilla are both only a 30 minute drive and have several wineries which offer tours and tastings and the option to buy wine and olive oil direct from the bodega. Tours of the vineyard at nearby Bodegas Gross in Antequera with lunch can be arranged. (Minimum 4 people)
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