Looking for somewhere to eat in León is one of the best ways to get to know this lovely city. Because here food and getting together with friends and family are part of the DNA of its inhabitants.
Nearly all of León congregates around the bars and restaurants in the Barrio Húmedo and Barrio Romántico, in the heart of the old town (link to a corresponding URL?) and very close to the cathedral. (link to a corresponding URL)
However, if you want something a bit more formal in León, in the comfort of its many excellent restaurants, you will be able to enjoy both the finest flavours of the traditional cuisine (link to a URL on Traditional food in León) and the creativity of its new chefs.
Below are a selection of establishments where you can sample Leonese, Spanish and international cuisine, in small and large formats, both at the bar and at the table
- Leon´s best restaurants
- Charming restaurants in León
- Eating on a budget in León
- The best tapas bars in León
- Where to stay in León
León’s best restaurants
León can boast of having two high-end restaurants recognised by major gastronomic publications. In addition to them are various traditional establishments in which produce of the highest quality is selected and meticulously prepared. And that’s not to mention others where the creativity of their chefs has led to great success in the field of modern cuisine.
Restaurante Pablo (Avenida de los Cubos, 8)
Newly relocated, this high-end restaurant has been seducing diners for more than 40 years. Run by Juanjo Losada and Yolanda Rojo (in the kitchen and in the dining room), the restaurant serves food that they call ‘naturally Leonese’. That is, traditional local flavours brought up to date with seasonal local produce. The tasting menu comes highly recommended.
Cocinandos (Plaza de San Marcos, 5)
In the new premises, situated in the Casa del Peregrino of the former convent of San Marcos, the innovation and creative cuisine established by the restaurant is taken to new levels. This personal project from the owners and chefs, Yolanda León and Juanjo Pérez, is based on a single set menu, Los Siete Caminos, which is adapted on a weekly basis according to the produce available at the market.
Casa Mando (General Lafuente, s/n)
If you fancy trying truly authentic traditional cuisine that is tasty and hearty, made from excellent produce, this restaurant is a good option. Housed in the Hotel Barceló León Conde Luna, the sophisticated decoration makes it stand apart from other similar establishments in the city. The cold cuts (cecina), the beef, the lamb, the legumes from La Bañeza and the Atlantic fish are all excellent.
ConMimo (Plaza de San Marcelo, 5)
The team at this avant-garde restaurant takes great care with the ingredients used to prepare its appetising dishes. At the helm of the establishment are the chef couple, Javi and Ángela, who, before opening this restaurant, worked at some of the best restaurants in the country. The menu combines ingredients, techniques and influences from places as distant as Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Italy and, in Spain, León, Asturias and Segovia.
Alfonso Valderas (Arco de Ánimas, 1)
Since 1998, this restaurant has been an authentic Leonese temple to cod. Here, naturally, it is eaten in ajo arriero, but you will also find on the menu many other delicious options made using the fish. They also serve traditional dishes, such as cecina, blood sausage, seasonal vegetables and lamb and beef.
Charming restaurants in León
In León you can enjoy romantic evenings on terraces looking out onto the cathedral and the rest of the city, or eat in restaurants that pay special attention to the décor with stylish details. The city also boasts other more intimate establishments that are perfect for a romantic dinner.
Nimú Azotea (General Lafuente, s/n)
As its name suggests, this restaurant is situated on the rooftop of the Hotel Barceló León Conde Luna, from where you can enjoy some of the finest panoramic views of the old town and the city’s surroundings. The roof terrace restaurant is a perfect spot to visit with friends and share different dishes. These range from niguiri, pasta and rice dishes to more classic dishes such as gilda skewers, cod and aged beef sirloin.
Bitácora (García I, 8)
Casting a refreshing look towards the sea from inland Spain, this restaurant, decorated with lots of nautical touches, serves hand-picked fish and seafood from the Cantabrian Sea and the coasts of Huelva. You can enjoy them both at the bar and at a table, the latter of which is recommended if you opt for any one of the delicious rice dishes that they prepare here.
Ezequiel León (Ancha, 20)
The charm of this restaurant, which has another location on Roa de la Vega, 4, is its authenticity. Conceived as an old-school eatery, it is almost always packed full of diners who watch the classic traditional Leonese dishes parade past them. Although you can order à la carte, with a first course, second course and dessert, most people come to share their generous large tapas servings.
Kamín Restaurante (Regidores, 4)
The concept of this restaurant is quite different to Leonese standards. Firstly, because the kitchen is in the middle of the dining room, secondly, because the dishes are served by the chefs themselves, and, lastly, because the food is brave, seductive, modern and full of flavour. Their daily set menu (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday lunchtimes) is a great way to sample the restaurant’s best dishes.
Lumière (Ancha, 18)
This restaurant’s elegant decoration contrasts heavily with its style of cooking, which is colourful, international and highly varied, both for table and bar service. It is a great option if you want to try something different to classic Leonese fare. The wine selection is also eclectic and if you come on a weekend, the brunch is highly recommended.
Eating on a budget in León
Is there anywhere to eat on the cheap in León? The answer is, of course. The old town is full of bars where you can eat tapas at more than reasonable prices. Below we will explain more, but if you prefer to eat sitting down, in León you will find small and large restaurants serving Spanish and international fast food.
Planet Mongogo (Plaza Puerto Castillo, 5)
This Mexican restaurant is very popular with locals and visitors to the city alike, especially for its generous servings, which include typical nachos, quesadillas, tacos and burritos, all set to the rhythm of the rock music that is invariably playing in the restaurant.
The Pit Ribs & Wings (Jaime Balmes, 7)
As its name suggests, the house speciality are the lamb ribs and the chicken wings. A restaurant in authentic American style, here diners can enjoy finger food bathed in delicious sauces.
Sorrento (Bernardo del Carpio, 1)
A classic that has been going for almost 60 years, specialising in León-style stew and portions of the most popular cured meats, at quite reasonable prices. And, if you feel like taking some home, the company has its own production plant in the town of Villanueva de Carrizo and their products are sold in the shop housed in the restaurant itself. It also has a very extensive wine selection.
The best tapas bars in León
We have already mentioned that the best places to eat in León are its bars. The most interesting and varied are concentrated in the centre of the city, where you will find something for all tastes and, especially, all budgets. These range from the most classic dishes to others that explore the ins and outs of new Spanish cooking.
El Gaucho (Azabachería, 6)
This classic in the Barrio Húmedo has been open since 1934 and continues to enjoy great success. Don’t miss the blood sausage, the picadillo, the garlic soups and the gaviota (crab salad on bread).
La Bodega del Húmedo (Plegarias, 8)
In addition to its extensive menu of traditional Leonese cuisine, this restaurant has an interesting selection of rice dishes, its great speciality. It also has a good selection of wines and other drinks.
Mesón Jabugo (Plaza San Martín, 6)
Top quality produce. This is what defines this bar with its own terrace, where you can sample not only ham but other cured meats such as blood sausage and minced chorizo.
Camarote Madrid (Cervantes, 8)
This is one of the most recent additions to León, just a short walk from the cathedral. At the pleasant bar you can enjoy a varied selection of tapas reinterpreted with a tasteful modern touch and quality produce.
Flechazo (Cardiles, 2)
The star of this establishment are the spicy potatoes as well as other vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, in addition to a selection of drinks including gluten-free beer. It is therefore a great option for celiacs and other diners.
Tabierna Los Cazurros (Plaza San Martín, 5)
Potatoes (with blood sausage, alioli made from garlic from León or with cheese) are the speciality of this establishment, which also serves delicious empanadillas.
Bar La Ribera (Fernando G. Regueral, 8)
Mussels from La Ribera are legendary among many Leonese people, served with a sauce in which you won’t be able to resist dipping your bread. Also excellent are the tripe and the sweetbreads.
Where to stay in León
In the city of León you will find a range of accommodation options. Out of all of them, we recommend the following two hotels for their location, features, comfort and services.
Hotel Barceló León Conde Luna. Due to its location in the heart of the city, this hotel makes a great base for exploring all the food options that the city has to offer. But those who prefer to can also try the food offered by the restaurants housed in the hotel itself, both Casa Mando and Nimú Azotea, which we have already mentioned. The hotel also has an excellent buffet breakfast for the guests staying in its 136 rooms, all of which are very bright and comfortable. For corporate customers the hotel offers five meetings rooms spanning over 1,000 square metres.
Hotel Occidental León Alfonso V. Like the previous one, this hotel is also in the heart of the city, very close to the old convent of San Marcos, Casa Botines, and MUSAC, the Museum of Contemporary Art. In total it has 62 rooms, all of which are very comfortable and modern. As soon as you step into the reception area the hotel takes your breath away with its dome ceiling, which reaches the eighth floor of the building. Also striking is the interior courtyard, with the corridors connecting the rooms as well as the varied breakfast buffet.
