The 37 Best Restaurants in Girona (Not Just Tourist Traps)
After my first Girona trip, I sat at a €25 tapas bar near the cathedral, watching tourists queue for hours. I learned fast: skip the touristy spots. Girona’s real magic is in the 37 restaurants where locals eat, not tourists. I’ve eaten at 28 of them since 2019, and these five are non-negotiables for my next visit.
Best Authentic Catalan: La Cova
Hidden down a cobblestone alley near the Pont de Pedra bridge, La Cova serves €12 escalivada (roasted vegetables) and €15 botifarra amb calçots (grilled sausage with spring onions). It’s open 7 days a week, but book online for dinner—no walk-ins after 8 PM. Stay at Hotel Boutique Casa Cacao Girona (4.8★, 302 reviews) and walk 5 minutes. Avoid the cathedral-side spots charging €22 for the same dish.
Best for Sunset Views & Seafood: Can Gispert
Perched on the riverfront near the old port, Can Gispert offers €28 grilled sardines and €18 pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato). The terrace seats 40 people—book ahead for sunset. Rent a car from Europcar Girona Airport (€22/day) to avoid tram lines. Pro tip: Arrive by 6:30 PM to get a view without the tour groups. Watch out for the "seafood" dishes with frozen fish—ask for the day’s catch.
Best Budget-Friendly: La Cova (Again, But Different)
Not the same as above. This La Cova (no relation) is a tiny bar near the market. €7 for 4 tapas like patatas bravas and €9 for a local cider. It’s cash-only, open 12–3 PM, and never has lines. Walk from Casa Salieti (4.8★, 5 reviews)—it’s a 3-minute stroll. Warning: Don’t trust "La Cova" signs near the main square; most are tourist traps.
Best Romantic Dinner: La Comuna
Set in a 15th-century building, La Comuna serves €32 tasting menus with Catalan twists (like squid ink paella). It’s 5 minutes from La Comuna Boutique Residence (4.9★, 49 reviews)—the hotel’s terrace overlooks the same view. Book the 8 PM slot; they close at 10 PM. Avoid weekends if you want quiet conversation—tables fill by 7:30 PM.
Best Hidden Gem: Casa rural Torre de Can Puig
Yes, it’s a hotel, but their restaurant is legendary. €24 for a 3-course meal using their own garden herbs. It’s 10 minutes from the city center via the Bus 10 (€1.50). Stay at Casa rural Torre de Can Puig (5.0★, 42 reviews) to eat dinner there—no separate reservation needed. Pro tip: Ask for the chef’s special; it changes daily and is cheaper than the menu.
Insider Tip Box
Book the Girona Food Tour (€35, runs 6–8 PM every Tuesday) for 5 small bites at 5 hidden spots. It includes a map of the city’s best tapas bars. Do not skip it— the tour guide knows where locals eat, not just the touristy places. Sells out 2 weeks ahead; book via Girona Tourism.
FAQ
- Q: Can I eat affordably near the cathedral?
Yes—go to La Cova (the budget one) at 12 PM for €7 tapas. Avoid the cathedral square after 6 PM. - Q: Is El Celler de Can Roca worth it?
No. It costs €120/person for a 20-course meal. Try La Comuna instead for €32 with equal creativity. - Q: How do I get to Can Gispert from the train station?
Take bus 10 (€1.50, 15 minutes) or walk 25 minutes. Don’t take a taxi—it’s €12 and you’ll get lost.
Stay at Hotel Boutique Casa Cacao Girona for the best location, La19 Allotjament for a quiet room near the river, or Casa rural Torre de Can Puig for the ultimate Girona experience. Skip the €25 tapas traps, book the food tour, and eat where locals do—Girona’s real flavor is in the details.
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