The narrow, sun-baked streets of Andalusia hold onto their traditions with an iron grip, refusing to let modern culinary trends dictate how they eat and drink. Filming Parts Unknown in 2013, the objective was to explore the enduring, almost religious culture of tapas in the south of Spain, specifically focusing on the deeply historical city of Granada. Spain is globally revered for its jamón, its world-class seafood, and its convivial bar culture. The angle here was to celebrate the pure, unadulterated joy of the tapeo—the fine art of moving from bar to bar, drinking cold beer, and eating whatever small plates of blood sausage, fried eggplant, or snails are handed to you. It was a look at a region where eating is an inherently social, loud, and joyful act, unburdened by the pretension of fine dining. If you want to experience the true heartbeat of southern Spain, you need to stand at the bar. Here is exactly where to start your crawl.
The great Anthony Bourdain left his mark everywhere he went. When his death was announced to the world in June 2018, media throughout the globe chimed in and listed all the great things he had done for their respective country. Whereas before, tourists would shy away from exotic foods, thanks to him, travellers now go the extra mile to find and try local bites. With this in mind, here are all the restaurants Bourdain visited and the dishes he tasted when he shot Anthony Bourdain Spain for his show, Parts Unknown Season 2 Episode 3 (originally aired September 22, 2013):
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DISH – Caracoles en Salsa de Almendras and Callos
WHAT IS IT?
Caracoles en Salsa de Almendras – snails in almond sauce; Callos – tripe stew.
WHERE IS IT?
Bar Aliatar Los Caracoles
Plaza Aliatar, 4
Granada, Spain
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN SPAIN NOTES
The tapas expedition of Anthony Bourdain on Parts Unknown Spain starts with drinks and tapas at Bar Aliatar Los Caracoles, a spot at Plaza Aliatar.
READ MORE: MADRID: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN ON NO RESERVATIONS
DISH – Morcilla – Anthony Bourdain Spain
WHAT IS IT?
Spanish blood sausage.
WHERE IS IT?
El Tabernaculo
18009, Calle Navas, 27
Granada, Spain
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN SPAIN NOTES
As Anthony Bourdain describes the place, it is “an Easter, Jesus and Mary themed drinking establishment where, between drinks, one can ponder the agony of the Christ”.
DISH – Sardinas con Salmorejo en Pan, Tomate, Olivas y Pan, and Spanish Caviar – Anthony Bourdain Spain
WHAT IS IT?
Sardinas con Salmorejo en Pan – sardines with salmorejo on bread; Tomate, Olivas y Pan – tomatoes, olives and bread; Spanish Caviar – caviar from farmed river sturgeons.
WHERE IS IT?
La Tana
Placeta del Agua, 3
Granada, Spain
ANTHONY BOURDAIN SPAIN NOTES
La Tana is a small bar run by sommelier Jesus and Luisa – brother and sister. One is the bartender and the other is the cook.
READ MORE: MADRID: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY ANDREW ZIMMERN ON DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS
DISH – Steamed Mussels, Berenjenas Fritas con Miel, Almejas al Ajillo, and Langoustines – Anthony Bourdain Spain
WHAT IS IT?
Steamed Mussels – mussels steamed in butter and olive oil; Berenjenas Fritas con Miel – fried eggplant and honey; Almejas al Ajillo – a dish of little clams; Langoustines – a slim type of lobster.
WHERE IS IT?
Oliver
Plaza Pescadería, 12
Granada, Spain
ANTHONY BOURDAIN SPAIN NOTES
It is to be noted that the Langoustines at Restaurante Oliver are not tapas but according to Anthony Bourdain, they are “worth it at any price”.
DISH – Boquerones and Chuletitas – Parts Unknown Spain
WHAT IS IT?
Boquerones – little fried smelts; Chuletitas – baby lamb chops.
WHERE IS IT?
Bar Gallardo
18002, Calle Pintor Rodríguez Acosta, 6
Granada, Spain
ANTHONY BOURDAIN SPAIN NOTES
At Bar Gallardo, Anthony Bourdain had tapas of cheese, Boquerones Fritos and Chuletitas.
DISH – Café con Leche en Vaso and Pan con Tomate – Parts Unknown Spain
WHAT IS IT?
Café con Leche en Vaso – Spanish coffee with milk; Pan con Tomate – toast with tomatoes
WHERE IS IT?
Cafe Casa Pasteles
Plaza Larga, 1
Granada, Spain
ANTHONY BOURDAIN SPAIN NOTES
A corner coffee shop where Zach Zamboni, Anthony Bourdain’s cinematographer, had his quick breakfast.
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Spain was arguably Bourdain’s favorite country in Europe to eat, a place where he found the culture’s fierce dedication to pork, seafood, and socializing deeply inspiring. He loved that in Granada, the tradition of offering a free plate of food with your drink was still proudly upheld. This episode is historically significant for highlighting the pure, working-class joy of the tapas crawl, showcasing a way of life that values community and pleasure above all else. It served as a reminder that the best dining experiences are often the most casual ones, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with locals in a crowded bar. The legacy left behind is an invitation to slow down and enjoy the ritual. Order a drink, eat the tapas, and see where the night takes you.
