Pamplona Restaurant Tips by Roadquill Top 5 Page for this destination

Cafe Iruna: Hemingway Haunt

Located on the North side of Plaza Castillo in the old town area of Pamplona, Cafe Iruna has the distinction (along with hundreds of other cafes and bars in Spain) of Hemingway pounding down a few drinks inside and on the outside. Founded in 1888, the cafe was one of the first establishments in Pamplona to have lights. More importantly it is right in the middle of the festivities during the San Fermin Festival. While the inside is appointed very nicely, the terrace outside is an excellent place to have a beer. Hemingway refers to the Cafe Iruna in his novel "The Sun Also Rises" with characters drinking brandy and absinthe.

Favorite Dish: Well not food ----- One of my favorite shots was a couple of guys on day 1 of the Festival, it was about 2PM and several guys were already passed out, with cigarettes hanging from their mouths and half empty glasses of beer warming up in the afternoon. Maybe this is what Hemingway was talking about when he wrote "Death in the Afternoon"?

Address: Plaza de Castillo 44

Comparison: about average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.cafeiruna.com/

Europa Restaurante: Family run - Europa Restaurante

Dining at the Restaurante Europa in the Hotel Europa is a fine dining experience. During San Fermin the restaurant is always booked, but I would go back anytime I could. One of the three sisters that own the place is the executive chef and makes sure everything is expertly prepared. Even before we ordered we were provided a small cup of pea soup and a large spoon of truffled rice. We shared the opening food round of Iberica jamon, pimentos and anchovies with avocados and tomatos. The service was excellent.

Favorite Dish: The cochina, suckling pig, was roasted to perfection. The dessert specialty of the house is a pineapple ravioli in a pineapple sauce.

Address: Calle Espoz y Mina 11, Pamplona

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Old town, near the plaza de toros

Phone: 34 948 221800

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.hoteleuropapamplona.com/

El Mirador: El Mirador at the Maisonnave

Located on the roof of the Maisonnave Hotel, El Mirador is a classic NW Spanish restaurant featuring fine, local cuisine. The service is excellent. The list features local wines of international reputation at reasonable prices.

Favorite Dish: The fish soup with large pieces of rape, and then the mushroom risotto.

Address: Calle Nueva 20, Pamplona

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 34 948222600

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.hotelmaisonnave.es/ingles/restaurante-hotel-maisonnave-pamplona-navarra.php

Pil Pil: Steak and seafood and sidreria

Local, family run place in the University area on the West side of Pamplona about two miles from the city center. Many locals were enjoying the place and having a great time. Many tables were eating communal style, splitting a large steak dish. Good wine list at reasonable prices including half bottles.

Favorite Dish: I started with the shrimp and vegetable crepe covered in a shrimp sauce, which was more of a tamale. The lamb with mushrooms with jellies of unknown fruits was delicious all washed down with a half bottle of rioja. They could have used some additional help as there were several patrons wishing for more wine or drinks and they were waiting too long.

Address: Travesta Acella 3-5

Comparison: about average

Phone: 946 190 151

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Restaurante Rodero: Fine Dining in Pamplona - Rodero

The Rodero is a high end restaurant just across the street from the Plaza de Toros. The quality of the food is excellent and the prices, well pricey but not too bad for what you are getting. We went through two bottles of Riscal Reserve.

Address: Emilio Arrieta 3

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Just North of the Plaza de Toros.

Phone: 948 228 035

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Cerveceria Kairos: Beer on tap, right at the table

This place was cool because if you sat at a booth there was a beer tap right at your table, and as you poured another brew, the meter read how much it was going to cost you.

Favorite Dish: You don't go to a cerveceria for the food, you go for the ....Hmmmmm?

Address: Calle Yanguas Miranda

Comparison: about average

Directions: Across the street from the bus station

Rating: 3

Theme: Local

Rumbo Cafe: Break from the mayhem - Rumbo Cafe

This cafe outside of the old town and the accompanying heavy partying area is a nice place to get a quality lunch for a reasonable price during the San Fermin festivities. Even though none of the waitresses spoke English and my Spanish is marginal, we still had a great time joking around with the staff. Very friendly and family oriented with many local patrons. Cafe Rumbo moved since I was there the first time. unfortunately, I don't remember the street.

Comparison: about average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Manterola: Fresh Sandwiches during San Fermin

I get more than a little nervous when picking up a sandwich from one of the hundreds of food for the partying masses. Manterola is right across the street from the bus station and has a gorrmet deli for sandwiches and a gourmet pattiserie on the other side. You can also get coffee, teas, sauces, . You pay a couple euro more, but there is actually jambon and queso in your sandwich.

Address: Calle du Tudela

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Deli

Restaurante El Rincon: Away from the crowds, but still close - El Rincon

Packed with locals, this "self service" cafeteria allows you to pick what you want. Many of the dishes were already prepared, however, you could also pick your steak, chicken, etc. and have it cooked to order. Salads, paella, fruit, albondigas, fish, and all at very reasonable prices.

Favorite Dish: The gaspacho gets a thumbs up.

Address: Corner of avenue de Baranain and Avenida Navarra

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: In the Ermitagana District.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Local

Cafe's: For the good food, hit the food market

There are several small eating places in the food market that is open even during the San Fermin Festival. There are probably 100 vendors selling fruit, meats, seafood, cheese, etc. to the locals, including many restaruants. Several of the vendors sell great light meals.

Address: North of the bullring a few blocks

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local