In Ávila you eat well and simply: great meat, mountain-grown beans and convent sweets. Here are the essentials, and where to try them near the cottages.
Chuletón de Ávila (T-bone steak)
The Protected Geographical Indication Carne de Ávila beef comes from black Avileña-Negra Ibérica cattle, like the ones grazing in the Amblés Valley. It is grilled over embers with nothing but coarse salt.
Judías de El Barco (beans)
The Judías de El Barco de Ávila also have Protected Geographical Indication: large white beans served in a stew, perfect for cold days.
Patatas revolconas
Mashed potato with paprika, bay leaf and olive oil, almost always topped with crispy pork belly (torreznos). The classic Ávila starter.
Gredos kid goat
Roasted in the local grill houses. Ask whether you need to order it in advance.
Yemas de Santa Teresa
The signature sweet of Ávila: small balls of egg yolk and sugar. A great souvenir to take home.
Where to eat nearby
A selection of the best-rated restaurants in the area. Booking is a good idea, especially at weekends.
Near the cottages
- El Mesón · Gastrobar (Solosancho, 5 min): quality local produce and Ávila beef, in a smart new setting.
- Casa Alfonso (Mengamuñoz, 10 min): a family-run Castilian grill house: kid goat, suckling pig and revolconas famous throughout the valley. Booking essential.
- El Pentágono (Muñana, 15 min): hotel restaurant serving traditional food in the heart of the Amblés Valley.
- Casa Pilar (La Torre, 15 min): home cooking: roast lamb and suckling pig, chuletón and revolconas.
- Venta Rasquilla (N-502, on the way to Gredos, 25 min): a classic roadside inn with a fireplace: chuletón, revolconas and trout. A good stop on the way back from the mountains.
In Ávila
- Los Candiles: seasonal Ávila cooking: chuletón, revolconas, El Barco beans and leche frita (fried milk pudding).
- El Molino de la Losa: in an old mill by the river Adaja, facing the city walls.
- Barbacana: on the Plaza de Santa Teresa, opposite the church of San Pedro.
And if you prefer to cook yourselves, every cottage has a fully equipped kitchen and a barbecue.
