Where to Eat in Jerez, Spain: Your Ultimate Foodie Guide 2020

Heading to Jerez de la Frontera? Congratulations, you’ve already made a good decision. This is one of the most quintessentially Spanish towns in Spain, full of flamenco, sunshine, bullfighting, and siesta.

It’s also home to some of the best food in the country! Southern Spain is where tapas was invented, so you better believe that they know how to do it well.

When I lived in Seville, I would visit Jerez pretty often. I’d jump on the train in the morning and get into Jerez for a coffee and a tostada. I’d hit up a winery, and then sit down to a lazy lunch. That left plenty of time for a siesta on the train back to Seville!

When I went for work, I’d be taking groups to visit the old, peaceful sherry wineries that surround the ancient walls of the old town. When I left the group for a coffee or a guided walk, I’d hit up a bar and have a tapa or two!

So, all that’s to say that when it comes to eating in Jerez, I know a thing or two. I’ve put together my favourite tapas bars, wineries, churros stands, and restaurants into my ultimate guide to where to eat in Jerez. Good luck, and buen provecho!

How to Order Tapas in Jerez de la Frontera

Like most of southern Spain, eating in Jerez is all about tapas. But here, tapas aren’t just “small plates”. Tapas are a way of life!

Most bars will have a tapas menu. Unlike eating in Granada, in Jerez you don’t get a “free tapa” with every drink. (You might get a small bowl of olives or potato chips, but that’s just enough salt to encourage the next beer!).

So, go to a bar, read the menu, and order the tapas that sound good. (A quick note: you’ll see a few different size options for food. “Tapas” are smaller plates (1-2 people), “medias” are middle-sized (3-4 people), and “platos/raciones” are biggest (5+ people)! But strangely, no matter which size plate they order, locals will still say that they’ve gone out to get “tapas”!).

Most bars, however, are famous for just a handful of dishes, no matter how long their menus. So which dishes should you eat when you’re in Jerez?

What to Eat in Jerez de la Frontera

Like most towns in Spain, Jerez has a few classic local dishes. Most bars will have them, and they’ll taste better than any imported paella you can find. Check them out while you’re in town!

• Berza Jerezana: old-school stew of chickpeas, vegetables, pulled pork, and chorizo.
• Riñones al Jerez: veal or lamb kidneys cooked in garlic, onion, spices, and sweet sherry wine.
• Tortillas de Camarones: famous all up the coast from Cadiz to Jerez, these shrimp fritters are the greatest bar snack for miles!
• Sopa de gato: (not actually “cat soup”). A classic gaditano soup made with humble ingredients; garlic, olive oil, and stale bread.
• Solomillo al jerez: pork tenderloin cooked in a sticky, sweet wine sauce.
• Boquerones: whole fried fresh anchovies!
• Rabo de Toro: in the great bull-fighting tradition of southern Spain, “bull tail” stew is a classic dish of Jerez. Slow-cooked with onions, garlic, wine, and spices.

Quick note: A lot of other people recommend eating red tuna (a.k.a. Atlantic bluefin tuna or atun rojo) in this part of Spain. I don’t. This species of tuna is an endangered species thanks to overfishing and underenforcement of EU fishing laws. In general, it’s best to avoid this food as it is difficult to know if it was fished sustainably and/or legally.

Where to Eat in Jerez de la Frontera

Now you know what to eat, so where should you eat it? Let’s dive into my recommendations for the best places to eat in Jerez, from breakfast to dinner.

You might also be interested in my guide to the best sherry bodegas in Jerez! These wineries offer guided tours, tastings, and even tapas.

Where to eat breakfast in Jerez

If you’ve read my guide to where to eat breakfast in Seville, you know I love Spanish desayuno. Breakfast in Spain is pretty simple: usually just a slice of toast with olive oil, tomato, and salt. (Also known as pan con tomate).

Never ask for bacon and eggs.

For locals, that’s lunch and dinner! Breakfast is much simpler, but still delicious. But if it still sounds a bit too plain for you, you can always get churros instead.

So where can you get breakfast in Jerez, toast or churro?

• Bar Mónica (Plaza del Arroyo, 4).
• Mesón los Abuelos (Calle Teodoro Molina, 28).
• Churros Plaza De Jerez (in front of the Mercado Central de Abastos). A small churros stand churning out fried dough! No tables, but you can grab a bundle and then go sit at one of the cafes across the road, as long as you order a coffee there.
• Bar La Perla (Calle Doña Blanca, 3).

The Best Tapas Bars in Jerez

Beware Spanish time! Lunch is never served before 1pm, and can last until 4 in the afternoon. Dinner, on the other hand, starts after 8pm and goes until the last patron wants to go home.

Outside of those times, it’s hard to find tapas, so make sure to plan snacks if you’re the always-get-hungry-at-midday type.

But if you’re looking for a casual, local spot to enjoy lunch or dinner (at the Spanish time), then these tapas bars are for you! There’s nothing formal about them. Some are self-service, and some have table service, just follow whatever all the other patrons are doing. And when in doubt, just say you’ll have the speciality of the house!

And in true Jerez tabanco form, they all serve a generous array of sherry wines. You can get a glass of delicious, super local wine for just 1 euro. Ah, Jerez!

• Tabanco San Pablo (Calle San Pablo, 12).
• Tabanco El Pasaje (Calle Santa Maria, 8).
• Bar Juanito (Calle Pescadería Vieja, 8). Arguably Jerez’s most famous tapas bar, where artichokes are the most famous tapa. Both a sit-down restaurant and tapas bar section, great prices and great sherry!
• La Cruz Blanca (Calle Cosistorio, 16).
• Bodosky (Calle Comandante Paz Varela, 2). Seafood, seafood, seafood!
• Las Banderillas (Calle Caballeros, 12).

The Best Restaurants in Jerez

Tapas bars are the normal place locals head to for lunch and dinner. But if you fancy something a bit more formal (or just some larger plates), then you’re better off heading to one of these Jerez restaurants. (If you want the super formal restaurants, scroll down to my list of Michelin restaurants in Jerez).

The prices are going to be a bit higher (but lower than you’d expect to pay in most countries!). You’ll also be able to make a booking in advance for most of them.

• Albores (Calle San Francisco de Paula, 2).
• La Carboná (Calle San Francisco de Paula, 2). – Yes, it’s in the same block as Albores! If you can, get the sherry pairing menu.
• Restaurante Albalá (Calle Divina Pastora, s/n).
• A Mar (Calle Latorre, 8). See food? Seafood.

Michelin Restaurants in Jerez de la Frontera

It might surprise you, but Jerez actually has more Michelin-starred restaurants than the Andalusian capital, Seville! I suppose it makes sense, given Jerez’s status as an icon of Spanish wine. Food was bound to follow!

Here are the restaurants that currently hold a Michelin star in Jerez:

• Mantúa (Plaza Aladro 7) – booking essential. 1 Michelin star.
• LÚ Cocina y Alma (Calle Zaragoza, 2) – booking essential. 1 Michelin star.

Read More

Thanks for checking out my guide to where to eat in Jerez! If you’re going to be travelling around Spain, you should head over to my other foodie guides. They’re full of tips and tricks to finding the best eats (and drinks) throughout Spain and wherever else my travels have taken me!

You might want to start with my other where to eat guides for Andalusia, and my picks for the best tapas bars in Seville!