Enjoying tapas along Laurel Street is one of the most authentic and unforgettable experiences in Logroño, the capital of La Rioja. This lively street, lined with historic taverns and bustling bars, is the beating heart of Riojan gastronomy, where each stop reveals a signature pincho paired with a glass of local wine. More than just food, it is a cultural ritual that blends tradition, flavor, and community — from the legendary gilda to timeless cod recipes, all infused with the spirit of Rioja’s wine heritage.
“See, sip, and savor” — that is the true pleasure of enjoying tapas along Laurel street.
Life in La Rioja flows through good food and cultural delight, both best experienced with a glass of wine in hand — and nowhere more so than in Calle Laurel. As The Times once pointed out: “Forget Bilbao or Seville, the best tapas in Spain are found in this small city.”
In Spain, going for tapas — or pinchos — is a cherished tradition, but in Logroño it has become an unwritten law. Every weekend, people from across the country gather here to honor this ritual. Details that might go unnoticed in any other tavern acquire true significance in Laurel, where culinary craftsmanship meets the culture of Rioja wine.
A simple gilda can turn into a legend when seasoned with authentic family-made wine vinegar. Paired with a young carbonic maceration wine of the highest quality — say, Abel Mendoza’s Jarrarte — and you might as well be granted honorary Riojan nationality.
Jokes aside, gastronomy in Logroño is not only about fine dining; it lives equally in the tavern counters that have welcomed visitors since the 18th century. To tapear in Calle Laurel is to discover small culinary gems that embody the very essence of Rioja’s food tradition.
How to go for tapas in Calle Laurel?
The golden rule is simple: one bar, one pincho. Each bite deserves its own drink — usually wine, sometimes beer — but always with balance, so you can continue your journey until the end. Bars will tempt you to indulge in more than one, and the temptation is real… but resist. Each stop has its own specialty, honed over decades of culinary mastery.
Every city has its character; Logroño’s was forged in peppers of every kind, countless variations of cod, lamb delicacies, and, of course, anything touched with paprika — our lifelong passion.
The secret also lies in the setting. For locals, San Juan; for the traditionalists, Laurel; and for visitors, wherever their guide recommends — perhaps me, in this case. Above all, the drink that accompanies each bite is key: never to overshadow, but to complement, enhance, and elevate every flavor.
