
Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Zaragoza, Spain
1. Aragonese Caldereta
Traditional sheep meat stew cooked with tomatoes and potatoes. Try it at Casa Calleja.
- Unique Ingredient: Uses local Aragonese lamb
- Cooking Method: Cooked slowly for several hours to ensure tender meat
- Tradition: A dish passed down through generations in Zaragoza
2. Pilota de Zaragoza
A delicious ball-shaped dough filled with pigeon or chicken. Best tried at Casa Vadijan.
- Unique Shape: Unlike other empanadas, Pilota de Zaragoza is shaped like a ball
- Filling: Traditionally filled with local pigeon or chicken
- Presentation: Served whole, then broken open to reveal the filling
3. Chorizo de Teruel
A high-quality cured sausage from the nearby town of Teruel. El Meson del Chorizo is a must-visit.
- Quality Ingredients: Made with top-notch ingredients, such as high-quality pork
- Traditional Production: Produced using traditional methods passed down through generations
- Flavor Profile: Distinctive smoky, spicy flavor due to paprika and garlic
4. Gazpacho de Tomate y Ajo
Cold tomato soup with garlic. Savor it at El Chigre.
- Ingredients: Made primarily from ripe tomatoes and garlic
- Temperature: Served cold to refresh on hot days
- Authenticity: A traditional dish dating back centuries in Zaragoza
5. Zarraquetes de San Agustin
Sweet fritters made from pumpkin or courgette. Try them at Bar El Rinconcillo.
- Unusual Ingredient: Made from less common ingredients like pumpkin or courgette
- Sweet-Savory Balance: Balances the sweetness of sugar with the earthy flavor of vegetables
- Local Celebration: Traditionally served during the feast of San Agustin in Zaragoza
6. Tortilla de Patatas
A popular Spanish omelette made with potatoes and onions. Don't miss it at La Tortilleria.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with just potatoes, onions, eggs, and salt
- Cooking Technique: Cooked by frying the ingredients before adding the beaten eggs
- Versatility: Can be served hot or cold and makes a great meal or snack
7. Arroz con Leche
Sweet rice pudding. Enjoy it at Casa del Arte Aragonés.
- Traditional Dessert: A traditional dessert enjoyed throughout Spain
- Ingredients: Made with rice, milk, sugar, and cinnamon
- Comfort Food: A warming and comforting dessert ideal for cold days
8. Porra de Ajo
Cold soup made with bread, garlic, tomatoes, and olive oil. El Porrón Aragonés is the place to go.
- Ingredients: Made primarily from bread, garlic, tomatoes, and olive oil
- Temperature: Served cold as a refreshing dish
- Versatility: Can be garnished with various ingredients like tuna, peppers, or eggs
9. Pulpo a la Gallega
Traditional octopus dish from Galicia, also popular in Zaragoza. Don't miss it at Casa Nuez.
- Unique Ingredient: Uses fresh octopus as the main ingredient
- Garlic and Paprika: Seasoned with plenty of garlic and sweet paprika
- Traditional Cooking Method: Cooked by boiling the octopus before baking with paprika, oil, and garlic
10. Garbanzos con Tocino
Chickpeas cooked with bacon or pork belly. Give it a try at Meson del Cid.
- Unusual Combination: Combines savory flavors of chickpeas and bacon
- Cooking Method: Slow-cooked to create a rich, flavorful dish
- Comfort Food: A hearty and comforting dish perfect for cold days
11. Bacalao a la Vizcaína
Traditional Basque cod dish with peppers, olives, and capers. Savor it at La Buñola.
- Unique Ingredient: Features salt cod as the main ingredient
- Spiciness: Adds a hint of spice with chili peppers and capers
- Tangy Flavor: Brightened with the addition of green olives
12. Gofio con Miel
A traditional Canarian dish made from toasted grains and honey. Give it a try at Casa Caña.
- Unique Ingredient: Made with gofio, a mixture of toasted grains
- Sweet-Savory Balance: Balances the sweetness of honey with the earthy flavor of the grains
- Traditional Cooking Method: Prepared by mixing the gofio with water and heating it on a stove
13. Jamon Iberico de Bellota
High-quality cured ham from Spanish black Iberian pigs. Don't miss it at Jamonería Etxebarri.
- Quality Ingredients: Made with the finest ingredients, such as acorn-fed Iberian pigs
- Flavor Profile: Distinctive smoky and rich flavor due to curing and aging methods
- Presentation: Often served thinly sliced and presented on a wood board
14. Tinto de Verano
Red wine and lemon soda cocktail. Perfect refreshment at La Tertulia.
- Refreshing Drink: A refreshing drink to cool down on hot days
- Simplicity: Made with just red wine, lemon soda, and ice
- Authenticity: Traditional Spanish drink popular during summer months
15. Tarta de Santiago
Almond cake from Santiago de Compostela, also enjoyed in Zaragoza. Try it at Pasteleria Barrio.
- Unique Ingredient: Features almonds as the main ingredient
- Texture: Has a crumbly, sweet texture due to almond flour
- Symbolism: Decorated with the Cross of St. James, a symbol of Santiago de Compostela's pilgrimage route