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It’s true that Pamplona is a very gastronomically orientated city, isn’t it? If I went to Pamplona, where could I sample the local delicacies?
Well, you are right Pamplona loves food… There are many different ways to have a good time eating out. If you come here you should try “pinchos” which are a kind of bar snacks but very sophisticated. The best part of the city to find them is the old part: Estafeta St., San Nicolás, Espoz y Mina and some other streets in San Juan and Iturrama.
But, as you know I’m totally ignorant about this! This is the first time I’ve heard about “pintxos”. Can you recommend any to me?
Well, most of the pinchos are on display so you can see them before ordering, but I’ll recommend some to you: In bar Museo (fried egg delicacy); In Café Roch (fried pepper and fried Roquefort cheese; Bar Gaucho (foie); Bodegón Sarrià· (“escombro” made with toasted bread and pieces of ham).
Ah! Around the middle of March there is a kind of competition between bars called “semana del pincho” and there are crows of people sampling the delicacies!
And what else can I try?
You can also try the good value for money menus around the second “Ensanche”: very traditional food at good prices. And of course, if you want to spend some more money you can choose from a great variety of good restaurants where you can have a pleasant meal with the traditional Navarran cooking.
mmm…. I am getting hungry… that reminds me!. I have to ask you what the typical dishes from Pamplona are?
Above all, Navarre is known for its vegetables. For example, for starters you can try: borrajas with potatoes, “cardo” Navarre style, “cogollos” of Tudela, chistorra, “Piquillo” (pepper from Lodosa), asparagus, ah!! And artichokes of Tudela! Excellent choice!!
For the main course: Ajoarriero, lamb chilindrón style, roast suckling pig, relleno, pigs hands, sheperd’s breadcrumbs and for dessert: cuajada, canutillos cream and Roncal and Idiazabal cheeses.
If you want to become an expert on these issues, you can visit some museums like “Cheese museum in Uztarroz”; Truffle museum in Metauten; Apiculture museum in Eltso; and finally, the wine & vineyard exhibition centre in Olite.
I think I got it.. I know what to eat, but… what about drinks? I mean, is there any typical or local drink? I heard something about Kalimotxo but I‘m really confused…
You are right! Kalimotxo is a mixture of wine and coke and it is very typical teenage drink and a speciality during San Fermines!! You get drunk fast & cheaply! But forget about that!! In Pamplona you can find excellent Rosados and Red wines with the label of origin “Navarre” or “Rioja”. Besides wine, you can try Vermouth called “marianito” before eating and after an abundant meal you have to finish with a “Pacharán”! Which is a hand-made liquor in Navarre and it is really digestive!
All Saturdays in October, you can visit the vineyards of the wine route of the Santiago Way (www.entrevinos.org) and you can also participate in chats about wine that take place in Hotel Maisonave.
Ok, I will take your advice. Ah! One last question, where could I go at night? As far as I know, Pamplona is a very lively city, isn’t it?
Yes, there is a lot of atmosphere on weekend’s nights. Hoards of people live it up throughout the old part and Plaza del Castillo’s bars until 4.00 am more or less!! You can also enjoy live music during the summer in some places like: Caballo Blanco on Thursdays; Media Luna Bar on Fridays and finally in Subsuelo Bar.
Great stuff. Thank you very much for all the information you have given to me
You’re welcome! Have a good time!!
You are right, Gaucho has one of the best foie pinchos in the city but you can´t forget the one in Iru,in San Nicolas street,always in company of their special vermouth. If you want to combine gastronomy and art you can visit Ujue: good sheperd breadcrumbs and a beatiful village and church, besides now its most known piece of art (an sculpture of Virgin Mary) is out of there because of restoration works.
What a wide range of pinchos!!!.
I would also mention the Tortilla de patata from La Navarra, in Amaya Street, and the Ham and Cheese frito from el Ezkia, in Navarrería Square.
I would add the egg-pintxo in the Museum Bar or the Rio Bar, which is my favourite, very tasty and lovely to eat with a vermouth and good company. Anywhere around the old part you can enjoy any pintxos, all are delicious, specially the ones with bacon and cheese.
enjoy your meal¡¡¡¡
Dont´forget to try special and typical vegetables such as artichokes mixted with foie. It´s a funny transnational combination that shocks most people, navarrish and from abroad.
If you want to have a nice meal well served and very well prepared you shoyuld visit La Nuez, next to The Audiencia parking site. It is a small restaurant with a very nice atmosphere and delicious food.
It is not cheap, though.
if you happen to be walking through San Nicolás Street let me advice you to pay a visit to the Otano bar and order for a “Basiano” (a good pincho under the name of a famous local painter). You won’t regret it.
One of the best views and places in Pamplona is the Caballo Blanco, and the best time, Thursdays in summer when you can enjoy a free concert with your beer. Even if you don’t have a place in the terraza, you can stand on the grass opposite to the bar if the sun allows you, which it’s not always the case.
Completely agree with all the suggestions, but don´t forget about the restaurants; although a bit more expensive than a pintxo,it is worth trying all the delicacies in “El Túbal”, en Tudela or some others in Pamplona.
With your family or friends, with your work colleges, any time and (almost) any bar in Pamplona… We always find a good excuse to eat pinchos: It’s something cultural.
Pamplona is great… but if you want to find the best piquillo pepers ever tasted, you should visit Lodosa, a nice village in ¨la ribera¨ of Navarra, and if you are dreaming with the best Chuletóbn, go to Elizondo, and you´ll get it.
Ana Lo, sorry but the Tubal restaurant is not in Tudela but in Tafalla. In Pamplona you should try el Melbourne in Olite street, for pintxos but for a menu as well.
I Have learned a lot about things I have not heard before.I would add something else from othetr villages.
Try Urdax´s Ajoarriero Pintxo in San Juan. If you´re not into “Patxanga” then ask the locals about the very few bars where Bisbal is not played everynight.