Eating in Nájera

Eating in Nájera

Taking a walk around Nájera’s historic district and around the river is never a bad idea. This beautiful town is known for its luscious pastures full of sheep, so one would be remiss to turn down one of the typical dishes prepared with lamb. The chulelitas (lamb chops) are particularly delicious! On the other hand, as is common in most of La Rioja, many of its dishes are based in food produced from orchards. We recommend trying a vegetable stew while in Nájera. Its flavor will be incredible.

There are a lot of good things to eat in Nájera, which is a city that considers its cuisine to be one of its main attractions. As in other places in La Rioja, many of its stoves are filled with vegetables form the orchards and meat from local pastures. The artichokes, peas, asparagus, and cauliflower can be eaten by themselves, cooked in Aceite de La Rioja (olive oil from La Rioja) with a D.O.P., or they can be eaten as part of the traditional menestras de verduras (vegetable stew). Other products that come from the local orchards are used for making dishes such as pimientos rellenos (stuffed peppers) that are made with Pimientos Riojanos (peppers from La Rioja) with an I.G.P., or the patatas a la riojana (potatoes from La Rioja).

The legumes, among which stands out the alubio pocha, are used in cooking stews that are usually accompanied by quail or rabbit. When it comes to meat, pork cold cuts, baked lamb, and ribs grilled on embers are the main specialties of the city. In the local restaurants, you can also try other La Rioja specialties like snails and cod, which should always be accompanied by wine from one of the wineries that lives within the city. In June, the city celebrates Las Vueltas de San Juan, which serves as a perfect opportunity to experience first hand all that there is to eat in Nájera.

comer en najera
Cordero al horno
comer en najera
Bacalao a la riojana

There are a few good places to eat tapas in Nájera. Los Parrales is one of these. Located on the main street in Nájera, it offers a wide variety of pinchos. We recommend ordering their “cua” (duck magret with walnuts, foie and carmelized apples, with a Riojan raisin reduction). Delicious!

Royalty is another restaurant to consider eating at in Nájera. It is a small place that cooks typical Riojan dishes that are made in-house with the best ingredients. The tapas are great, and they’ll please everyone.

Royalty
Royalty
comer en Nájera
Los Parrales

When it comes time to eat in Nájera, you’ll find a solid offering of good-quality restaurants with great culinary reputations. Los Parrales is a family-owned restaurant that has been around for forever, and it has the best traditional Riojan kitchen combined with other, more contemporary fusion dishes. It offers a menú del día, a regular menu, and various specials: tasting menu, casseroles, and tapas and rations.

The restaurant Asador El Trinquete is another establishment that we recommend for eating in Nájera. It is a place that specializes in grilled food where you can also find a menu made up of dishes you can find in every local house’s cookbooks. Its bar offers a wide variety of skewers and casseroles.

If you want to leave your meal with a very full stomach, then we recommend El Buen Yantar. All their dishes are homemade from trustworthy, local ingredients. They offer a highly-rated menú del día, and the price is very fair.

If what you’re looking for is a place that specializes in hosting big banquets like weddings, communions, and other similar events, Fabian’s is the place to go.

 

El Buen Yantar
El Buen Yantar
Los Parrales
Los Parrales

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