Aranjuez is famous for its royal palaces and gardens, but the town also has a very strong local food scene. Less than an hour from Madrid by train, it's one of the easiest day trips near the capital, and going out for tapas is a well-respected tradition there.
To help with your visit, we've put together five informal bars and restaurants that we go to regularly. They're classic taverns and wine bars that put quality first and serve generous portions for anyone who wants to make the most of the local tapas culture.
It's worth saying that we're far from knowing every bar in Aranjuez, and the truth is that none of the places we've been to has let us down. So use this list as a starting point and don't be afraid to walk into any bar that catches your eye along the way.
Casa Pablete
Casa Pablete is a classic tavern, open since 1946, and the place where we always try to start a day of tapas in Aranjuez. It's informal, works as both a restaurant and a tapas bar, and is best known for its fried squid sandwich, the most popular dish on the menu. We usually order lots of different things, and everything has been wonderful.
What to order
- Fried squid sandwich
- Montaditos (small sandwiches), such as the anchovy one
- Ensaladilla rusa
- Croquettes
- Shrimp fritters
- Potatoes with alioli
Price per person
€10 to €20
Atmosphere
Informal, both a restaurant and a tapas bar
Practical information
- Address: Calle de Stuart, 108
- Opening hours: Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9am to 11pm. Friday and Saturday, 9am to 11.30pm
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
La Tinaja
A small tavern of the kind built around the bar, which also works as a restaurant. We ate at the bar, were looked after really well and were served some wonderful prawn tapas. The produce is excellent, with fresh fish and seafood, and the torreznos are the most popular dish in the house. It's a small place that gets busy early.
What to order
- Prawn tapa
- Torreznos (crispy fried pork belly)
- Boquerones a la bilbaína
- Croquettes
- Grilled queen scallops
- Artichokes
Price per person
€20 to €30
Atmosphere
Informal, with a bar and a few tables. Small and always busy, so it's worth arriving early
Practical information
- Address: Calle Naranja, 6
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, midday to 4pm and 8pm to 11pm. Sunday, 11.30am to 4.30pm
- Closed on Mondays
Vinoteca Rubio nº 8
A small bar with a large wine selection that renews quite often, so there's always a new label to try. Every drink comes with a little snack, and the staff's recommendations were spot on every time. They also sell bottles to take home.
What to order
- Wine by the glass
- Toast with piquillo peppers and goat's cheese
- Pastrami sandwich with rocket
- Lacón (Galician cured pork)
Price per person
Glass of wine from €3 to €4.50
Atmosphere
Informal, small and usually busy
Practical information
- Address: Calle San Pascual, 9
- Opening hours: Wednesday, 7pm to midnight. Thursday, 7pm to 1am. Friday, 7pm to 1.30am. Saturday, 12.30pm to 4pm and 8pm to 1.30am. Sunday, 12.30pm to 4pm
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Cuarenta Bar de Vinos
Cuarenta is where the wine surprised us most. The list includes labels from lesser-known regions, and the staff let you taste before choosing a glass, which really helps when you're discovering new wines. The food is a surprise too, with well-made tapas that make you want to keep ordering.
What to order
- Oxtail croquettes
- Thin, crispy pork belly strips with lemon
- Fried battered squid (calamares)
- Patatas bravas
- Ensaladilla rusa
- Sweet chilli chicken wings
Price per person
€10 to €20
Atmosphere
Informal and small, with a bar and outdoor tables. Gluten-free options available
Practical information
- Address: Carretera de Andalucía, 56
- Opening hours: Wednesday, 8pm to 11.30pm. Thursday, midday to 4.30pm and 8pm to 11.30pm. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, midday to 4.30pm and 8pm to midnight
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Postas Tapería
If you fancy tapas that are a bit more elaborate, Postas is the one to head for. The menu is extensive, the portions are generous, and while you wait they bring over a little something on the house. The staff are really attentive, and it gets busy, so it's worth booking ahead.
What to order
- Oxtail lasagne
- Vegetable tempura
- Fried aubergine with cane molasses
- Burrata salad with strawberries
- Croquettes
- Lagarto ibérico (a cut of Iberian pork)
Price per person
€20 to €30
Atmosphere
Informal, with a dining room on two floors and outdoor tables. Gluten-free options available
Practical information
- Address: Calle de San Antonio, 116
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, midday to 4pm and 8pm to midnight. Sunday, midday to 4pm
- Closed on Mondays
