What are the best dishes and typical food in Salamanca?
Salamanca is one of the most interesting cities in Spain. Located in the region of Castilla y León, it has a fascinating history and impressive architecture. The city is located near the Tormes River and has one of the most prestigious universities in the entire Iberian Peninsula. If you want to learn Spanish, Salamanca is said to be the only city in the entire Kingdom of Spain that still has a pure accent.
But the main reason why you have to visit this city in the interior of Spain is its incredible culinary tradition, which will conquer you with simple dishes rich in flavors.
1 - Guijuelo Ham
Guijuelo Ham is a raw ham produced in the town of Guijuelo, on the outskirts of Salamanca. It is processed according to ancient tradition and is left to mature naturally, taking advantage of the cold and dry currents that come from Béjar and Sierra de Gredos. Due to its peculiarities, it is recognized in Spain as a DOC product.
- Average cost: 50.00 € per kg
- Main ingredients: Pork ham
2 - Iberian Serrano Ham
This is a typical Spanish cured ham, produced in Salamanca but also in Seville, Cordoba, Ciudad Real and in the south of Portugal. It is produced according to the tradition of each area that produces it and is very pleasant to the palate. It is also left to mature naturally in special warehouses.
- Average cost: 25,00 € per kg
- Main ingredients: Pork ham
3 - Morucha beef from Salamanca
It is Morucha beef, a pure breed, never crossed with other animals, raised in the open air and in free pastures. Morucha de Salamanca Beef has a color ranging from pale pink to cherry, it is naturally very tasty, has no fat accumulations and the muscle fibers are thin, which makes it soft and tasty. It can be cooked in various ways, although grilling and braising are the best ways to enhance the flavor.
- Average cost: € 15,00
- Main ingredients: beef
4 - Chanfaina salmantina
Chanfaina salmantina is a typical dish based on rice, lamb entrails, cooked blood and pieces of chorizo. It is a traditional dish found in other areas of Spain with different ingredients (just like paella) and is, as you can guess from its ingredients, as tasty as it is challenging.
- Average cost: € 10,00
- Main ingredients: rice, lamb entrails, chorizo sausage.
5 - The Farinato
It is a sausage made with butter, bread, flour, spices and pork. It is served fried, sliced and accompanied by fried eggs, or in a kind of omelette. It is a typical product of Salamanca that is also served in different areas of Spain with variations in the composition of the sausage. The flavor is unique and very particular and can also be found among the tapas.
- Average cost: € 8,00
- Main ingredients: pork sausage and eggs.
6 - Hornazo
The hornazo is the typical dish on Easter Monday. It is a savory pie of pork, chorizo, ham, bacon and eggs. It was used to celebrate the return to the city of the prostitutes, who were rejected during the whole period of Lent so that the citizens would not be distracted during this sacred period destined to repentance. Even today, on Lunes de Aguas, in the area near the river, in Salamanca there is a big party and Hornazo is served.
- Average cost: € 8,00
- Main ingredients: pork, bacon, eggs and puff pastry.
7 - Lentils of La Armuna
Green in color and elongated in shape, they are a real delicacy, both as a main dish and as a side dish. They are served in different ways, from vegetarian soups to stewed condiments for meat dishes.
- Average cost: € 6,00
- Main ingredients: lentils
8 - Almond nougat from La Alberca
Those with a sweet tooth should not miss the nougat made with almonds from La Alberca. If you think Avola almonds are unbeatable, once you have tasted this delicacy you will have to change your mind.
- Average cost: € 5,00
- Main ingredients: Almonds, eggs and sugar La Alberca
9 - Rosquillas de Ledesma
Small dry doughnuts typical of the region of Castilla. The recipe of Ledesma doughnuts has remained unchanged for more than 5 centuries and the cookies can be found almost everywhere: bakeries, bars, pastry shops. They are deliciously accompanied with wine or coffee.
- Average cost: € 3,00
- Main ingredients: flour, butter and eggs
10 - Maimon sponge cake
Bizcocho maimón is a sponge cake that is usually soaked in chocolate. It has the appearance of a large cake and is the typical dessert of events and celebrations, also weddings in the region of Castile but especially in the city of Salamanca.
- Average cost: € 5,00
- Main ingredients: flour, sugar and eggs
Best places to eat: best restaurants, typical bars and street food.
Because of its geographical location, the typical cuisine of Salamanca is characterized above all by local dishes and its famous sausages: the best known culinary product of the city is the ham called Jamón de Guijuelo, or prosciutto produced in the town of Guijuelo, just outside Salamanca. But other types of ham are also very popular, along with dried meat. Typical dishes also include "chanfaina salmantina", or rice with animal entrails, and "farinato", or fried sausage accompanied by eggs.
Most of the restaurants are concentrated along the Plaza Mayor but, if you want a quick meal or a snack based on the well-known tapas, our advice is to stop by via Van Dyck.
1 - Casa Vallejo
- Description: a place just a few minutes from the Plaza Mayor, offering tapas and typical Salamanca cuisine.
- Specialty: Veal fillet
- Average price: from 30,00 € per person
- Address: Calle de San Juan de La Cruz 3, Salamanca
2 - Casa de Vinos Doctrinos
- Description: wine store in the heart of Salamanca, suitable for an aperitif but also for dinner
- Specialty: charcuterie platter
- Average price: from 15,00 € per person
- Address: Calle Doctrinos 3, Salamanca
3 - Bodega Cuzco
- Description: Tapas bar in the center of Salamanca, frequented mainly by locals and tourists
- Specialty: Tapas
- Average price: from 15,00 € per person
- Address: c / Juan del Rey, Salamanca
4 - Restaurant Corte & Cata
- Description: medium-high level restaurant, in the historical center, offering both tapas and typical Iberian cuisine, with fish dishes.
- specialty: ham appetizer
- Average price: from 30,00 € per person
- Address: Calle Serranos 1, Salamanca
5 - Restaurante Mencía
- Description- Informal restaurant on the outskirts of the center, offering Spanish cuisine and excellent wine.
- Specialty: cod, cooked in more than 20 different recipes.
- Average price: from 25,00 € per person
- Address: Calle Grillo 11, Salamanca
