Breakfast in Granada is one of life’s small joys: a slice of toast with olive oil and tomato, a good coffee and a sunny terrace. Starting the day like this, with no rush, is very much our way of doing things. Let me tell you what to have for breakfast like a true granadina and where to go, from the classics to the sweet little treats.
Let’s get to it.
The classic Granada breakfast
The age-old favourite: a slice of toast (best with rustic country bread) topped with olive oil and fresh tomato, or with cured ham, and a coffee. Simple, cheap and absolutely delicious. In plenty of bars they’ll bring you the toast with your coffee almost for free, just like they do with the tapas here.
For those with a sweet tooth
- Churros and chocolate: the Sunday treat par excellence.
- Pionono: the little sweet pastry typical of Santa Fe (a town just outside Granada), small and perfect for dipping in your coffee.
- Convent pastries: the nuns in some of the convents sell sweets that are little gems.
Where to have breakfast
The best thing to do is find a terrace on a lovely square: Bib-Rambla (a flower-lined plaza right in the centre), or Paseo de los Tristes (the riverside walk) with the Alhambra rising behind, are two classics for breakfast with a view. And for the churros, head to the traditional churrerías in the centre. Wherever the locals have their breakfast, you can’t go wrong.
For everything else about the local food scene, see the guide on where to eat in Granada.
Frequently asked questions
What do people have for breakfast in Granada?
The classic is a slice of toast with olive oil and tomato (or with cured ham) and a coffee. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, go for churros with chocolate or a pionono from Santa Fe.
Where can I have breakfast with a view of the Alhambra?
On the terraces along Paseo de los Tristes, at the foot of the Albaicín, with the Alhambra rising up opposite. Bib-Rambla is another wonderful square for breakfast in the centre.
What is a pionono?
A sweet pastry typical of Santa Fe, near Granada: small, made of rolled, syrup-soaked sponge with cream on top. Perfect alongside a coffee.