The 14 best restaurants in La Rioja to treat yourself
La Rioja is recognized as the birthplace of wine in Spain, and it boasts a large number of wineries ideal for wine tourism. As expected, its exceptional wines are also perfect to accompany the delicious gastronomy of its restaurants.
El Portal de Echaurren
La Rioja is recognized as the birthplace of wine in Spain, and it boasts a large number of wineries ideal for wine tourism. As expected, its exceptional wines are also perfect to accompany the delicious gastronomy of its restaurants.
Francis Paniego, the one responsible for introducing the renowned Riojan haute cuisine to the world, unleashes his creativity at his restaurant El Portal de Echaurren, where he reinvents classic dishes and a myriad of childhood favorites, turning them into authentic works of art. Thanks to his culinary skills, Ezcaray has earned two Michelin stars, putting it in the spotlight. For 190 euros, you can enjoy his tasting menu, which includes dishes such as the flavorful Panchineta with artichokes and foie gras, the Steak tartare on an oyster leaf with frozen foie gras powder, and the Squid and toffee tartare.
Without a doubt, El Portal de Echaurren has become one of the must-visit places in Ezcaray if you are planning a getaway to this Riojan town.
Location: Calle Padre José García, 19 (Ezcaray, La Rioja)
Venta Moncalvillo
One of the Michelin-starred restaurants in La Rioja is run by the Echapresto brothers, Ignacio and Carlos. It is a family business that stands out as a great example of how to serve traditional food made with fresh and high-quality ingredients. In fact, their products are so fresh that they have their own garden. Venta Moncalvillo offers three menus: Roots, Leaves-Flowers, and Fruits, priced at 110 euros for the first two and 130 euros for the last one, along with an optional selection of wines from their cellar, which boasts 1,500 options. All of this is located in Daroca, a small village of just 30 inhabitants, just over 10 minutes from Logroño.
Location: Ctra. Medrano, 6, Daroca de Rioja, La Rioja.
Aitor Esnal
This restaurant focuses on a cuisine that breaks with the norm, a cuisine without complexes, creative, and traditional, where the main focus is on the quality of the ingredients. The dishes are playful and feature daring fusion touches between Riojan and Asian cuisine. The space is modern and well-maintained. Average price: 50 to 55 euros
Location: C/ Sagasta, 13 in Logroño.
Enascuas
Enascuas Restaurant is one of the must-visit places in Logroño. With almost a quarter of a century of history, it boasts a Solete from the Repsol Guide. Here, the focus is on elevating the quality of ingredients, which are the cornerstone of their gastronomic proposal. Their approach revolves around using seasonal products to their full potential, showcasing traditionally executed recipes with great skill and highlighting the flavors of the region. At Enascuas, you can savor La Rioja in all its splendor.
The use of fire plays an important role in their gastronomic proposal as a cooking method, with an impressive grill visible from which they serve delicious dishes such as lamb chops, sirloin, or grilled cod, along with the famous vegetables produced in La Rioja. The highlight of their menu is their renowned caldereta, as well as their asparagus from the riverbank and crystal peppers. Their stews, from garlic soups to caparrones or pochas, including the impeccable Patatas a la Riojana, are also highly praised. Their cellar, with more than 150 references, is captivating. Average price: 35 to 40 euros
Location: C/Hermanos Moroy, 22. Logroño
Calle Laurel
When visiting La Rioja, you cannot miss a gastronomic route along the iconic Laurel Street in Logroño. It is one of the most famous tapas routes in Spain, where the tradition is to go from bar to bar, enjoying a glass of wine and the typical tapa of each establishment. Each bar has its specialty, and among our favorites are: Asador El Tahití, for its delicious potato omelet skewer; Bar Ángel, known for its iconic grilled mushrooms; Bar Lorenzo Tio Agus, where we love their skewer-free Moroccan-style tapa; Blanco y Negro, famous for its “pairing” tapa; and El Perchas, with its exquisite pig’s ear tapa.
Wine Fandango
When Wine Fandango opened its doors, it undoubtedly won over those who were not very knowledgeable about wine. It is located in the former Grand Hotel, a palace in Espolón Park, and its interior design is by Lázaro Rosa-Violán (known for creating some of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in Spain). It is a celebration of joy and the good life, offering traditional cuisine, tapas, and good wine served in a porrón, with live DJ sessions. Average price: 60 euros.
Location: Calle General Vara de Rey, 5 (Logroño).
Tondeluna
Francis Paniego, instead of settling, not only showcased the gastronomic treasures he cooked up in Ezcaray but also wanted to reveal his rebellious side with a restaurant in Logroño. He opened Tondeluna, a venue filled with large communal tables and the finest local products presented in a gastrobar format. Always bustling, the only thing surpassing its vibrant ambiance is the excellence of its croquettes, Russian salad, and macaroni with Riojan chorizo. Tondeluna offers various menus: the daily menu (30 euros), the sharing menu (80 euros for two people), the tasting menu (60 euros), and the menu for children and adults (20 euros).
Location: Calle Muro de Francisco de la Mata, 9 (Logroño).
Alameda
There is a place called Alameda. Every morning, it comes to life to astonish everyone who tastes its ribeye, which, paired with a good glass of wine, is a guaranteed success in La Rioja. Situated in the heart of wine country and surrounded by all the wineries, Alameda not only offers traditional Galician beef but also features Iberian ham croquettes that are a true spectacle. Average price: 65 to 70 euros.
Location: Plaza Félix Azpilicueta, 1 (Fuenmayor, La Rioja).
Íkaro
The Íkaro by Carolina Sánchez and Iñaki Murua is endorsed with a Michelin star, recognizing their exceptional work. The restaurant showcases the best of Riojan cuisine with a surprising fusion of Ecuadorian and Basque roots from both chefs. They offer two menus, named Descubrir (75 euros) and Íkaro (90 euros) with the option of wine pairing, as well as à la carte service, which is a true delight to peruse and savor. Don’t miss their Confit Artichokes and Low-Temperature Suckling Pig. For dessert, the Flavors of the Ecuadorian Coast are a must-try.
Location: Avda. Portugal número 3 bajo, Logroño, La Rioja.
La Vieja Bodega
La Vieja Bodega is located in a restored 17th-century winery. Inside, it surprises with its rustic and welcoming decoration, featuring ashlar stone, masonry, and wood. Additionally, for added comfort in winter, it has private dining rooms with a fireplace. Once seated at the table, the head chef, Ángel Perez, offers innovative cuisine with Riojan roots, using the finest raw materials. They offer an extensive à la carte menu and four set menus ranging from 50 to 64 euros.
Location: Av. de La Rioja, 17, 26230 Casalarreina, La Rioja.
Restaurante Sopitas
The Sopitas is a restaurant that catches the eye with its unique name and surprises (as they themselves say) for various reasons. Its first notable feature is its location, situated in natural caves in the center of Arnedo, which transform into small dining spaces ideal for a quiet meal. However, when it comes to its cuisine, special attention is given to regional products, such as sautéed borage with ham, breaded goat sweetbreads with peppers, and “patorrillo,” a stew made with lamb trotters, tripe, and intestines. The average cost per diner is 55 euros.
Location: Carrera de Vico, number 4, in the city of Arnedo.
Lumbre
Lumbre is the successor to La Cueva de Doña Isabela, one of the most renowned restaurants in La Rioja. After significant renovations, this restaurant is now an entirely new space that amazes with its warm and spacious ambiance. The menus at Lumbre vary depending on seasonal products, but they consistently offer the freshest produce from the garden, sea, and countryside. They have two menus, Fuego for 65 euros and Lumbre for 95 euros, featuring dishes such as roasted Najerano pepper, lamb neck and sweetbreads, and hazelnut stew.
Location: Travesia Jardines No. 15, Casalarreina, La Rioja.
La Arrancadilla
Under the direction of Sergio Jimeno Galilea, La Arrancadilla offers a carefully crafted seasonal cuisine that prioritizes the quality of ingredients, all at an affordable price, as their executive menu costs only 24 euros. From the menu, we suggest trying the sautéed octopus with bacon or the grilled old cow ribeye. If you’re in the mood for surprising tapas, this is the place.
Location: Calle Juan II, nº 14, planta baja, Logroño (La Rioja).
La Quisquillosa
According to Joaquín Aragón, La Quisquillosa is his dream come true: creating a restaurant that offers a variety of traditional dishes with high-quality ingredients, broths, stews, sauces, and flavors. A place where there is a vibrant atmosphere, spontaneity, and fun. On their menu, you can find dishes such as Roast chicken cannelloni with truffle bechamel and mushrooms, Calahorra artichokes with emulsified marinade and Iberian pork jowl, and Roasted pig’s trotters with red shrimp and combined juice. They also have an ever-evolving menu called Efimero, which includes 4 appetizers, 5 starters, 2 desserts, local water, and artisan bread, all for 65 euros, with an additional 40 euros for the optional wine pairing.
Location: Juan Lobo 1, Logroño, La Rioja.
