Granada's Top Tapas Spot

Los Diamantes: A Local Favorite for Value

¡Hola, fellow travelers! Melissa here, your guide to exploring Spain.

When you're in Granada, Spain,

a tapas crawl is an absolute must-do.

It's the local tradition to enjoy a complimentary tapa with every drink!

Among the city's most renowned tapas bars,

I'm excited to introduce you to Los Diamantes.

I had already marked it on my map,

and when my hotel staff also enthusiastically recommended it, I knew it was a winner.

So, what was it like visiting a tapas bar beloved by locals?

Let's dive in!

1. Los Diamantes: A True Local Favorite

Los Diamantes, a beloved tapas spot in Granada, boasts numerous branches throughout the city center. You can pick one that's convenient for your itinerary, or check ratings and hours as they might vary slightly between locations.

I opted for the Plaza Nueva branch during my visit.

Given the constant flow of customers, there are two signs requesting that you wait to be seated. Just hover near the entrance, and you'll be directed to a spot in no time.

2. Inside Los Diamantes & What's on the Menu

Upon entering, a large bar area dominates the space, bustling with people standing, eating, and drinking. Some tapas appear to be pre-made and ready to serve, while others come fresh from the kitchen in the back. It was clear that this spot is a genuine local haunt.

There's also a good amount of seating, primarily long communal tables, almost like extended picnic tables you'd find in a park. This means you'll likely be sharing your space with other patrons, which adds to the lively atmosphere.

As soon as we sat down, we ordered two beers. In Spain, it's common for servers to ask for your drink order almost immediately, so it's a good idea to have something in mind before you settle in. Ordering a "caña" (pronounced "cah-nya") gets you a smaller, water-glass-sized beer, perfect for keeping things cool and trying various tapas without getting too full too fast.

After ordering our beers, we took our time perusing the menu. Even though free tapas would arrive soon, it was fun to see what else was on offer. Many dishes are available as half-portions, though the price difference between a half and full portion isn't usually significant.

Our complimentary tapa was fried mussels. At first glance, I wasn't quite sure what they were! They tasted exactly as described – fried mussel meat. It's one of those familiar flavors that you can't really call good or bad; it just *is*.

It's truly amazing how they manage to keep track and serve everyone, given how incredibly busy the place gets.

While you certainly don't *have* to order extra food, we decided to try something else: razor clams, known as Navajas. We only ordered a half-portion, but the serving was incredibly generous! It was absolutely delicious, prepared in that classic Spanish style with garlic and olive oil.

This photo really captures the seating arrangement well: long, connected tables with chairs, which can make it a little tricky to get to an inner seat. I was guided to the very end, which worked out perfectly! Next to me, four local grandmothers were chatting happily over beers, a truly heartwarming sight. It's a bit of a unique scene compared to what you might find in some other countries – adults enjoying beer and good company in the middle of the day!

3. If You're Looking for a Great Value Tapas Bar...

While most tapas bars in Granada offer good value, Los Diamantes feels particularly affordable. We paid 5.6 Euros for two beers, which comes out to about ~$6, and received those fried mussels as a free tapa. You could easily make a meal just from the complimentary tapas if you keep ordering drinks. If you ordered another round, you'd likely get a different free tapa!

We were planning to visit several other places, so we only had one drink each. But if you're curious about what other free tapas might appear, definitely order another round of drinks!

When you're ready to pay, simply make eye contact with a server and convey that you're finished – they'll bring the bill directly to your table.

While Los Diamantes might not be a Michelin-star establishment, it's definitely a recommended spot if you want to experience authentic tapas culture without breaking the bank. I didn't sample a huge variety of dishes, so it's hard to give a comprehensive taste assessment, but what we did eat was delicious. The fact that it's packed with locals all day long, and has multiple branches, suggests there's a good reason for its popularity. Even my hotel staff actively recommended it, mentioning they go there often!

If you're on a tapas crawl through Granada, I highly recommend making a stop here.