Summary
Guide to Discovering Where to Eat in the Sierra Sur of Jaen
In this article, we want to give you some recommendations on where to eat in the Sierra Sur of Jaén. This territory, located in the southern area of the province of Jaén and bordering both Córdoba and Granada, is made up of a magnificent natural space where you can discover and enjoy stunning landscapes. Additionally, its villages harbor magnificent gastronomy, and as you travel through the Sierra Sur, you can find establishments ranging from the most traditional to those known for culinary innovation, all worthy of a visit to taste dishes derived from the manipulation of the magnificent raw materials available in this area.
In a previous post, we discussed places to eat in Castillo de Locubín, In this one, we will take a tour of establishments we have visited and would like to recommend if you visit some of the villages in the Sierra Sur de Jaén.
Where to eat in Alcaudete:
Alcaudete is a town located very close to Castillo de Locubín, known for its impressive castle, and taking a stroll through the town is a nearly obligatory visit and in any case, very pleasant. If you want to eat in Alcaudete, we recommend:
Restaurante Almocaden. A restaurant with a Repsol Guide sun, it has a very careful and elaborate cuisine using magnificent raw materials and local products. We recommend trying the gratin cod loin, a classic that never disappoints, and the Los Balantares goat cheese grilled, a true delight. It has a dining room and a lovely terrace for summer nights.
El Kiosko. Located in Fuensanta Park, it is a good place to have a beer or tapas, but if you want to eat something, it is also a good option. It has a varied menu with careful traditional cuisine.
If you visit the small village of La Rábita we recommend visiting bar La Trompeta. It is a small bar in the village where locals usually go for tapas. During the winter, it has tables with a brazier to keep warm. They have a completely homemade daily menu and some additional dishes. The owner and cook, who sits next to you to explain the dishes she can offer, attends you. Their flamenquín and seasoned tomatoes, clearly from the orchard, stand out and have an impressive flavor.
Where to eat in Alcalá La Real
Alcalá la Real is one of the main towns in the Sierra Sur de Jaén. In the town center, there are several places for snacks or tapas, such as Rincón de Pepe or Bar Madrid, famous for having the best fried food in the area. Usually, the residents of Alcalá la Real go to the village of Santa Ana to celebrate their gastronomic events. In our case, we will travel to the village of Charilla to the Hotel Sierra de la Martina This establishment is not only a rural accommodation but also has a large dining room and one of the best places to eat in Alcalá la Real. Its cuisine is homemade and careful, with a large living room with a fireplace, which is appreciated on winter days. Their seasonal vegetable dishes and meats, such as lamb chops, stand out. If there are few customers, it is possible that the owner will sit next to your table and tell you stories about the town and his restaurant. A magnificent experience.
Where to eat in Frailes.
Frailes is a small village known for its adventure activities in nature; there is even a zip line that crosses the village itself. However, it is also famous for its gastronomy and restaurants. In our case, we want to share a classic: Restaurante Angelillo,
located at the entrance to the village from Alcalá la Real. It has a spacious dining room where you can enjoy a wide menu in a good atmosphere. We recommend trying the fried cheese from Frailes and, of course, their famous garlic marinated kid.
Where to eat in Valdepeñas de Jaén
Valdepeñas is a small village within the Sierra Sur de Jaén, less than 30 minutes by car from Castillo de Locubín via a beautiful mountain road. We recommend going without haste and enjoying the landscape. We have known several places to eat in Valdepeñas; at this moment, we want to recommendBar el Patatillas, It is a small bar in the center of the village, with a dining room and good homemade food. If you go in winter, we recommend theirAlpujarreño dishwith good chorizo, black pudding, and fried egg; it will surely warm you up for a while.
If you visit Valdepeñas de Jaén you will be surprised by the El Quejigo del Carbón restaurant. This restaurant located on a hill, opened in February 2024, is one of those places that surprises and could well be the trendy restaurant in any large capital. The restaurant has several terraces and large rooms with careful decoration and the atmosphere is very wide and varied, with local products predominating and very attentive service. For us, a great discovery and a must-visit place in the Sierra Sur de Jaén.
This restaurant is located in a village called La Hoya del Salobral, famous for being the place where the Holy Custodian lived. At the top of a mountain is the church and the cave where the Holy Custodian meditated, and very close by is this restaurant. The restaurant has a dining room with a viewpoint overlooking the entire mountain range; from there, you can see all the way to Sierra Nevada. The place offers a wide range of homemade and traditional dishes, but beware, the portions are quite generous. The place is very popular and only opens on weekends, so we recommend making a reservation in advance, and be careful, as you lose all mobile connection as you approach the area. A magnificent place to disconnect and enjoy food and views
Where to eat in Los Villares
Los Villares is a village very close to Jaén but nestled in the Sierra Sur, and due to its proximity to the capital, it has a wide gastronomic offer. In our case, if you visit this village, we would like to make the following recommendations:
Mesón Casa Aniceto. Located in the center of the town and a classic, a good place to have some beers with good tapas or also to eat and taste their homemade dishes.
Hotel AGC. Modern hotel located at the entrance to Los Villares from Jaén, it also has a restaurant with a large dining room and an extensive menu with all kinds of dishes, from the most classic to some more elaborate ones; they offer a very good quality-price ratio, and the portions are quite generous
Exploring the Sierra Sur de Jaén is an experience that stimulates all the senses, from the breathtaking landscapes to the aromas and flavors of its exquisite local gastronomy. We have taken you on a culinary journey through some of the region’s places, but now we want to invite you to share your own gastronomic experiences during your visit to the Sierra Sur de Jaén. Have you discovered any special corners where to eat in the Sierra Sur de Jaén? We would love to hear your stories and recommendations to further enrich this delightful gastronomic guide!
