Salamanca is best known for Salamanca University, among the world's oldest. It is know as the Spain's Golden City, as there is much more to it other than the university: fabulous historical buildings, cultural activities and youthful nightlife, as it's population encompasses mostly students. Visit Salamanca's cathedral, its Plaza Mayor, considered the most beautiful in Spain, some of its many museums and just walking in the city center you can see its amazing architecture, which gave the city its nickname. Located in Castilla y León, only two hours away from Madrid, and surrounded by towns and villages, Salamanca has a lot to offer when it comes to food. Below our own selection of some of the best restaurants in the city.
El Pecado
Where Plaza Poeta Iglesias, 12, 37001
Prices: 25€ to 35€ per person
Reservations: +34 923 266 558
Visit El Pecado's website (mostly is Spanish, though the menu is in English too)
Know for its very contemporary cuisine rooted in traditional Spanish and Castilian gastronomy, this Salamanca restaurant is located in a centenary three story building in the heart historical center of the city, in the actual Plaza Mayor. Exquisitely decorated with antique pieces, modern tapestries and bold colors, El Pecado offers an extensive wine list, so you can choose between hundreds of national and international wines. We recommend the grass cake: foie with fruits berries, the veal tenderloin with boletus edulis and chips and the three layer chocolate cake: black, white and cinnamon for dessert.
Tormento
Where: Calle Espoz y Mina 30, 37002
Prices: 12€ for lunch set menu, 15€ to 25€ a la carte
Reservations:+34 923 267 808, +34 676 996 808
Visit Tormento 's website
A baroque setting and decoration that includes red velvet throne like armchairs interspersed with transparent methacrylate chairs, chandeliers and other exuberant details gives a great and lavish ambience. Famous for drag queen shows that take place on Friday and Saturday nights, this restaurant inSalamanca offers creative cuisine with roots in traditional cuisine. It also has an impressive wine list. We recommend the Norwegian salmon tartare with olives, tomatoes and beluga caviar in mango vinaigrette, the duck confit with red fruits and fig jelly and the lemon sherbet with rose confit for dessert.
Musicarte
Where:
Prices:
Reservations:
Visit 's website
This little Salamanca restaurant, next to Plaza Mayor, bets for traditional cuisine, but with bold avant-garde culinary touches. With a combination of traditional and modern decor, Musicarte welcomes its guests with warm and friendliness, it also has a terrace where diner can enjoy their meal outdoors. But the restaurant's name comes from the idea of combining music and -culinary-arts and the restaurant's appearance changes every two months as the exhibits on its walls are renovated and the music selection is careful and done with love. We recommend the camembert cheese with nuts, berries confit and small slices of toast, cod Riojana style and the berries panna cotta for dessert.
Taberna Galatea
Where: C/ Prado, 11 - 37002
Prices: 10€ to 25€
Reservations: +34 923 211 728
Visit Taberna Galatea's website
Ever thought of trying kangaroo, shark or sea urchin? Most Spaniards haven't either, but this little tapas bar in the heart of Salamanca (Plaza Mayor in fact) has a unique gastronomic offer that stands out for its tapas elaborated with exotic meats. In addition this restaurant in Salamanca also has en extensive and well varied wine list and beers. As it's a small joint, it is very likely you will have to wait at the bar to get a table, but not for very long and it's definitely worth it. We recommend the ostrich in grape sauce and poppy seed cream, the venison in raspberry and tropical fruit sauce and shark in sweet pepper sauce.
La Hoja 21
Where: Calle El Corrillo 20, 37002
Prices: 18.50€ to 33€
Reservations:+ 34 923 264 028
Visit Hoja 21's website
This elegant restaurant in Salamanca is decorated in a simple yet chic style with modern touches such as its bold colors, though every little detail is carefully watched. The proposal of its cuisine is modern and contemporary gastronomy with touches of traditional Spanish culinary arts, using maximum quality fresh produce to emphasize the raw materials perfect taste. You can either choose and express menu or a tasting menu, either way, you will not be disappointed. We recommend the mushroom risotto with vegetables and Parmesan cheese, the txangurro (kingcrab in Basque) crepes and cherry panna cotta for dessert.
