Where to eat in the Sierra de Aracena and Jabugo

The Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche is not very populated (there are more pigs than inhabitants). The main town is Aracena then there are about thirty villages or pueblos. As is often the case in Spain and Portugal, which is only 80 kilometers away, there are tapas bars, inns or ventas where you can eat properly.

TAPAS shop has not yet tried all the restaurants in the Sierra de Aracena, but we can point out the places that, according to our criteria, distinguish themselves: Los Arrieros, Maricastaña, Jésus Carrión, El Rincón de Curro, El Padrino.

Restaurante Arrieros

Arrieros is a restaurant located in the middle of the village of Linares de la Sierra.

It can be said, without a doubt, that this establishment is worthy of the best tables on the peninsula. The menu is really attractive and all dishes have at least an Andalusian touch. The Iberian pig is marvelously highlighted: a wonderful carpaccio of Iberian presa with foie gras for example or a rare iberian pork tenderloin accompanied with apple compote. Intense pleasure assured.

Also try the eggs with gurumelos or the famous inimitable tomato soup prepared with a local variety of tomato.
The nouvelle cuisine has made a grand entrance in the Sierra.

Address: Calle de los Arrieros, 2, 21207 Linares de la Sierra
Website: restaurante Arrieros

Restaurant Jacarandá

Following the good advice of Domingo Eíriz, one of our Iberian ham producers whose gastronomic recommendations never disappoint, Tapas Shop made a stop in the small village of Higuera de la Sierra, curious to discover the menu of the Jacaranda restaurant.

First of all, it's hard to forget the name of this restaurant because the jacaranda is, above all, a majestic tree.

Nor can we fail to mention the sincere and warm welcome (as is the case in the vast majority of establishments in the Sierra de Aracena, or even in Andalusia) that we received on our arrival.

On the menu of this Andalusian establishment, there is a mixture of traditional dishes and original recipes as surprising as they are delicious, such as:

• a tomato cream made by infusing basil leaves in milk to make a béchamel sauce before incorporating the tomatoes
• a risotto style dish with boletus and parmesan

When visiting for the first time, do not hesitate to try the croquetas, if they are on the menu, as this is often an indicator of quality. At Jacaranda, the homemade croquetas have been approved by Tapas Shop!

For more than a decade, learning, evolving and always wanting to improve his cooking, the owner has turned this lifelong tapas bar into an obvious culinary stop for anyone passing through Higuera de la Sierra.

There wasn't enough time to try other dishes, so we'll have to go back!

Address: Plaza de la Constitución, 21220 Higuera de la Sierra
Website: restaurante Jacarandá

Essentia Restaurant

Gourmet restaurant of the hotel of the same name located in the centre of Aracena.

The entire hotel has been designed as a space of “respite, peace and reunion to experience sensations” and is also an art gallery where works by artists from the Sierra de Aracena or Seville are exhibited.

A few years ago, we already tasted tapas in the former gastrobar of this establishment, which has since undergone renovation work. The new restaurant space enables to welcome customers in a first room with a beautiful volume and planted walls, a little lower down in small cosy corners or in the patio that gives the possibility of dining outside on summer nights.

The restaurant's menu includes, among other dishes, proposals for tasting Andalusian cheeses (from the Sierra de Aracena or the Cadiz area) and different parts of the Iberian pig (presa, abanico, lagarto, carrillera, etc.) are offered.

The cuisine combines tradition and inventiveness, and contributes to the valorisation of local products.
The wine list is also very interesting.

Note: in this restaurant, we ate what we consider to be one of the best cheesecakes we have ever tasted. This one is made with local cheese.

Address: Calle José Nogales, 17, 21200 Aracena
Website: Essentia Restaurante

Restaurante Maricastaña

This restaurant has closed its doors.

Located in the small town of Castaño del Robledo, this restaurant is unmissable for any gourmet who visits the area of ​​the Sierra de Huelva.

Address: Plaza del Álamo,nº 7, 21290 Castaño del Robledo
Website: restaurante Maricastaña

Restaurant Jesús Carrión

The youngest of the five establishments. This restaurant in the centre of Aracena offers traditional Spanish and Andalusian cuisine with a touch of freshness. Simply perfect service and attention. You can try all the dishes based on Iberian pork or let yourself be surprised by the off-menu suggestions.

Address: Calle Pozo de la Nieve, 35, 21200 Aracena
Website: Jesus Carrion Restaurante

El Rincón de Curro

This restaurant, located at the edge of Almonaster la real (approximately 10km from Jabugo) boasts a large and varied menu.

Iberian solomillo and presa prepared a thousand ways. A traditional place, recommended by Rafael Villa Ruiz, our friend pork butcher in Seville.

Address: Carretera, S/N (entrada del pueblo) 21350 Almonaster la Real

Restaurant El Padrino

Another culinary wonder and an institution in the village of Alajar. The family of the owners of the restaurant own their own pig farm.

Address: Plaza de Miguel Moya, 2, 21340 Alájar
Site Web : restaurant El Padrino

Eating in this middle mountain area is not complicated, carnivores and amateurs of cured meats are generally delighted. However, it is also recommended to taste the other specialties of the area such as goat cheese or the many fruits and vegetables (almonds, chestnuts, walnuts, apples, tomatoes...) produced by this vastly sunny land that knows a bit of cold in winter.