Tapas route

The tapas culture in Valladolid is on par with its highly renowned wines. With good reason, the city becomes the national capital of gastronomy every November as the host of the National Pinchos and Tapas Competition, considered the largest live showcooking event in the country. In its latest editions, the tapas Corchifrito has been awarded the national champion in 2020 and the runner-up in the world in 2021 (try it at Suite 22, located at Calle Fray Luis de León, 22), and Salbut Criollo, the best Spanish pincho in 2021 (you can find it at Habanero Taquería, on Calle Duque de Lerma, 4).

Throughout its history, Michelin-starred chefs have recognized the Lechazo Taj Mahal as the Best Tapas in Spain (served at Don Bacalao restaurant in Plaza de las Brígidas and Puerto Chico on Nicasio Pérez Street), as well as the Bocata de Calamares wrapped in obulato and Tigretostón (both from Los Zagales on the street Pasión, just off Plaza Mayor). Additionally, the Silver Medal went to the sardine ceviche with kombu seaweed and black garlic (you can find it at Villaparamesa in Plaza de Martí y Monsó, also near the Town Hall) and Copa y Puro (Los Zagales).    

All these establishments are located in the heart of the city, where you will find several tapas areas around the squares of Martí y Monsó, Portugalete, Universidad, and San Martín. You can easily move from one to another on foot and enjoy a pairing of gastronomy with wines from the five Designations of Origin that converge in the province (Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Toro, Cigales, and  León) and heritage, as these tapas areas are located in the historic center of Valladolid.

In addition to these areas, there is the renovated Mercado del Val, a 19th-century monument that now combines traditional market stalls with gastro-bars and entertainment during weekends, as well as tastings, making it an essential reference in any tapas route in Valladolid.

The lively tradition of going out for tapas and wines is also very present in other spaces such as Paseo de Zorrilla or the neighborhoods of Valladolid: La Rondilla, Delicias, Parquesol...

The quality of the proposals, the wide range of options, and the friendly atmosphere in the bars make going for tapas in Valladolid a unique experience that our hospitality industry works hard to ensure. With innovation as their guiding principle, many of them fully engage in the city's major gastronomic events: the National Pinchos and Tapas Competition and the World Tapas Championship. Both take place in November, and, during these days, several establishments throughout the city serve on their counters all the creations selected for the final stage of the competition, recipes that come from all corners of Spain and from over ten countries. This is known as the Tapas Festival, a route to taste the best pinchos in the country (stay tuned to our page, where we publish the complete route every November!).

The tradition of going out for tapas in Valladolid extends throughout the year with the Provincial Pinchos Competition in June, pinchos based on 'lechazo' (lamb) in May during the celebration of San Pedro Regalado, or the traditional fair-style pincho during the September patron saint festivities, among many other events that will delight your palate.

And what about combining tapas with the tender and delicious meat of lechazo (suckling lamb)? Do you want to know where to eat lechazo in Valladolid? Take note of the grill restaurants you can find in our city:

• El Figón (Acera de Recoletos Street, 4)
• La Parrilla de San Lorenzo (Pedro Niño Street, 1)
• La Criolla (Calixto Fernández de la Torre Street, 2)
• Mesón Don Pelayo (Camino de la Hormiga, s/n)
• Don Bacalao (Plaza Santa Brígida, 5)
• La Solana (Solanilla Street, 9)

To top off your gastronomic experience in the city, savor the delights offered by the Michelin-starred restaurants in Valladolid,  El Trigo, located next to the Cathedral (Tintes Street, 8), and Alquimia Laboratorios (Antigua Street, 6). Chef Víctor Martín of El Trigo suggests exquisite proposals of contemporary cuisine that do not forsake traditional flavors. This restaurant is also the only one in the city with two Repsol Suns. As for the restaurant Alquimia Laboratorios, its chef, Alvar Hinojal, defines it as a molecular gastronomy experience for all audiences.

Repsol recognition is also held by the restaurants Dámaso, Llantén, Suite 22, Trasto, Villaparamesa Tapas, and Sibaritas Klub (each with one Repsol Sun).