Vegetarian Food in Andalusia: 7 Dishes You Must Try Last Updated: March 8, 2025
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan travelling to Andalusia, you might be wondering: “Will I find enough options to eat, or will it be a struggle?” The good news is that Andalusia has a rich food culture, and plenty of traditional dishes are either naturally vegetarian or can be easily adapted. It’s all about knowing what to look for and where to find it.
I’ll take you through some of the best vegetarian dishes you can try across different cities, along with restaurant recommendations to make your food journey smoother.
1. Salmorejo (Córdoba & Seville)
Source: Freepik
Córdoba and Seville are both known for their salmorejo, a thick, creamy cold soup made with tomatoes, bread, olive oil, and garlic. Unlike gazpacho, it’s richer and smoother, almost like a dip. Traditionally, it’s served with chopped hard-boiled eggs and ham on top, but you can easily ask for “sin jamón” (without ham) to make it vegetarian.
Where to try: Restaurante Arte y Sabor, La Bartola (Seville), Bodegas Mezquita (Córdoba)
2. Espinacas con Garbanzos (Seville)
This dish goes way back to the Moorish influence in Seville. It’s a simple but flavourful combination of spinach and chickpeas, cooked with cumin, paprika, garlic, and olive oil. It has that hearty, home-cooked feel, perfect for when you need something filling.
Where to try: La Antigua Abacería, El Librero, El Rinconcillo
3. Patatas Bravas (Everywhere in Andalusia)
You’ll find patatas bravas in almost every tapas bar across Andalusia. It’s crispy fried potatoes with a spicy tomato-based sauce, sometimes served with aioli. Some places make the sauce milder, so if you like it spicy, ask for “salsa brava picante” (spicy brava sauce).
Where to try: La Santa, Monje in Granada
4. Berenjenas con Miel (Granada)
This one might sound unusual at first: fried aubergine slices drizzled with honey or molasses, but trust me, it works. The slight bitterness of the aubergine and the sweetness of the honey balance out beautifully. Vegans can ask if the restaurant uses miel de caña (sugar cane molasses) instead of regular honey.
Where to try: El Piyayo on Calle, La Blanca Paloma
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5. Tortilla de Patatas (Everywhere in Andalusia)
This Spanish omelette is made with eggs, potatoes, and onions, slowly cooked together until soft on the inside and golden on the outside. Every family and restaurant has their version, some make it runny, others firm. If you’re vegan, some places now offer a version made with chickpea flour instead of eggs.
Where to try: Bar Santos (Córdoba), Bar Santa Marta (Seville)
6. Pipirrana (Jaén)
Source: Freepik
Jaén, the land of olive oil, brings us pipirrana, a fresh and simple salad made with tomatoes, green peppers, onions, cucumbers, olive oil, and vinegar. It’s light, refreshing, and a great side dish if you want something fresh alongside your tapas.
Where to try: Bar Restaurante Pipirrana
7. Ajo Blanco (Málaga)
Before gazpacho became famous, ajo blanco was the go-to cold soup in Andalusia. Made with almonds, garlic, bread, olive oil, and vinegar, it’s creamy, nutty, and usually served with grapes or melon. If you like rich, savoury flavours with a hint of sweetness, this is for you.
Where to try: El Churrasco, El Pimpi
Final Tips for Vegetarians and Vegans in Andalusia
- Learn a few key phrases: If you’re vegetarian, say “Soy vegetariano/a”, and if you’re vegan, say “Soy vegano/a”.
- Ask for ingredient swaps: Many dishes can be adapted by removing meat toppings or using plant-based alternatives.
- Look for “tapas veganas”: Some modern tapas bars now have separate vegan menus, always worth checking!
Andalusia has a lot to offer food-wise, even if you don’t eat meat. Just knowing what to ask for makes all the difference. So go ahead, explore, and enjoy every bite.
If you need help planning your trip or finding more vegetarian-friendly spots, feel free to reach out to me at theveggietravels@gmail.com. Happy travels and happy eating!
