Restaurants and tapa bars
Girona is blessed with a wide range of outstanding restaurants and tapa bars, most of which offer excellent value for money. For diners on a budget, an even better deal is usually the menu del dia, which offers a limited-choice menu at lunchtime (1 to 4pm). In the evening, restaurants open at 8.30, with the locals usually arriving from 10.
Here are a few of our favourites, starting with those located in the old town:
- L'Arcada, Rambla Llibertat 38. Has outdoor tables in one of the prettiest spots in town, under the tree-lined Rambla (just down from the tourist office) where you can order from the tapas menu from the downstairs bar, or from the upstairs restaurant menu (excellent rice and seafood dishes, and range of pizzas).
- Café Le Bistrot, Pujada de Sant Domènec. The menu here is somewhat basic and a bit pricey for what you get, but that is more than made up for by the lively atmosphere, both indoors and at the candle-lit outdoor tables at the top of the steps.
- La Penyora, c/Nou del Teatre 3. Absolutely outstanding Catalan restaurant. It's hidden up a backstreet behind the ayantamiento (town hall) but well worth tracking down. Very popular with the locals. Booking is recommended. Closed Tuesdays.
- El Pou del Call, c/de la Força 14. Located in the Jewish quarter, just round the corner from the cathedral. Closed Sunday evening.
- Cal Ros. Excellent menu in a traditional Catalan restaurant of low arches. Fairly formal atmosphere.
- Bretagne. Outstanding salads and tasty crepes, lovingly prepared from within the shell of an old school bus! Closed Mondays.
- L'Arc, Pl de la Catedral 9. Small bar serving sandwiches with outdoor tables at the foot of the cathedral steps.
Just over the river from the old town, these restaurants/bars enjoy outdoor seating in the 18th century collonaded Placa de la Independencia; most also have attractive views of the river:
- Boira, Plaza de la Independencia 17. One of our favourites. Excellent tapa bar downstairs, with outstanding Catalan menu upstairs.
- Cafe Mozart. Wide menu selection, salads a speciality.
- Lizarran. Traditional Basque tapa bar - just pick up a plate, choose your tapas from the bar, and return as often as you wish. You then pay one Euro per cocktail stick as you leave!