Eat Your Veggies! Our Top 7 Vegetarian Tapas in Granada

This blog post was originally posted on June 16, 2017, and was updated on April 17, 2019. 

Gone are the days when the announcement that you’re a vegetarian in Spain would invariably be met with a confused stare and the response, “But of course you eat ham, right?”

Well, nearly. While the demand for meat-free offerings in Granada is not as high as in other parts of the world, things are beginning to change! There is now a wide range of establishments with vegetarian tapas in Granada. Here we’ve gathered some of the best vegetarian dishes alongside a few of the long-standing traditional favorites for those who don’t eat meat.

Pimientos de Padrón

This dish is an absolute Spanish staple. These little green peppers from Galicia are now available in traditional bars nationwide. Mention them to a Spaniard and expect to hear the oft-repeated phrase: “Los pimientos de Padrón: algunos pican y otros no!” (Padrón peppers: some are hot, and some are not!) You’ve been warned! For anyone after vegetarian tapas in Granada, this is a perfect place to start. They are a delicious snack served drenched in olive oil and sprinkled with good rock salt. And what’s more, you can find them almost anywhere in the city!

Selection of toasts at Hicuri Art Vegan

Hicuri Art Vegan’s selection of toasts with toppings is undoubtedly one of the top finds in town for vegetarians. Ranging from €1.50 to about €4, they’re simple but fantastically fresh. You can even choose your bread—they’ve got gluten free and rye options. As for toppings, we like avocado and tomato!

Couscous at El Ojú

El Ojú has taken the increased demand for vegetarian tapas in Granada and melded it with the traditional Spanish practice of offering it free with a drink. Upon ordering a drink here, you’ll get a menu to select the tapa of your choice, and the variety is pretty impressive. The couscous is the stand-out dish, while the tofu wraps are also superb!

Veggie empanadas at Papaupa

Featured in a New York Times article about changing food trends in Granada, Papaupa refers to its menu as “retro-fusion.” A quick glance across the broad menu quickly helps you see why! Catering to both vegetarians and vegans, your drink order is accompanied by a generous tapa. Simply make sure you specify your desired freebie upon ordering—the veggie empanadas come highly recommended! Please note meat is also served here.

Berenjenas con miel

The beauty of this dish, fried eggplant covered in sugar cane honey, is its simplicity. You’ll find this traditional tapa all across the city—not only in vegetarian establishments! Check out our blog on some of the best tapas spots in Granada where you’re bound to come across this Spanish treat.

Dip it! At Paprika Granada

Trendy Paprika is a bit steeper on price than others in Granada, but it prides itself on offering the highest quality vegetarian cuisine. Tapas are not gifted with a drink purchase here, but the entrantes menu offers some real gems if you’re looking for a light snack. The “Dip it!” is a sharing plate of four different dips served alongside fresh raw vegetables and tortilla chips. A great companion to an ice-cold round of beers!  

Moroccan tapas at Café OMKA

Moroccan cuisine has always gone hand-in-hand with vegetarianism, and this place is no exception. As far as vegetarian tapas in Granada are concerned, rustic Café OMKA simply serves some of the best. Many dishes left behind by the city’s Moorish past are both mouth-watering and meat-free. Stand-by classics include falafel, hummus and baba ganoush. Additionally, a particular mention should be saved for the pumpkin and sesame seed cream served with flat breads!