Vistor Notes:

Subject: 'A 3-course lunch'
Posted by eric on: Monday, June 21, 2010 at 08:39 PM PST

A 3-course lunch (meal of the day) is a national requirement. Not all shop-keepers can get home for their main midday meal, so restaurants are required to provide the reasonably priced 3-course meal they would have at home. Soup or salad, entree, dessert. 10 euros or less. Most Spanish restaurants close mid-afternoon. They may be open approx 12:00-16:00 (sometimes 14:30) & 20:00-23:00. They may also close several days, or not be open for several dinner nights. Many restaurants do not post their hours, menu or telephone number. Street signs are difficult to find. Most big towns have markets as well as Chinese restaurants with limited vegetable dishes. For Catalunya (Barcelona), especially, it's good to ask for very low salt.

Subject: 'Cordoba'
Posted by carnilius on: Monday, June 16, 2008 at 01:26 PM PST

It's a bit tough to find vegetarian food in Cordoba, as there are currently no listings on happycow. Someone was able to recommend "Ayesta" which is a restaurant on Plaza del Potro which has a one page vegetarian menu. I highly recommend the Vegetarian Salmorejo (a traditional Cordoban dish, similar to gazpacho).

Subject: 'Vegetarian / vegan options in Madrid'
Posted by Veggiechiliqueen on: Friday, August 31, 2007 at 04:20 PM PST

I worked in Madrid for 3 1/2 months in 2005, and had the chance to visit several vegetarian / vegan restaurants on my travels around Spain. I recommend the deli at EcoCentro (C/deEsquilache 4 (at Rio Rosas and Cuatro Caminos metro), which features a la carte vegetarian / vegan soups, appetizers, entrees, sandwiches, and desserts, Al Natural near the Prado (C./ Zorrilla, 11, Central Madrid (metro: Banco de Espana, close to Parliament Building), and El Septimo (Diego de León, 7 (Calle Serrano shopping district / Ruben Dario metro).

Barcelona includes the lion's share of innovative veggie/vegan offerings, including the quirky Juicy Jones (this one is in an obscure location; I felt like I was wandering for hours before stumbling across it! C/Cardenal Casañas 7, Ciutat Vella (08002) (at Plaza de Pi), and the lovely Sesamo (C. St. Antoni Abat, 52 (at Metro: Sant Antoni).

Even in smaller cities, you can find vegetarian options. Your best bet is to hit the local Carrefour or El Corte Ingles supermarket. In larger El Corte Ingles grocery stores, there is usually a section of vegetarian / vegan/ health foods. In addition, Spanish "fast food" establishments like Pans & Company (www.pansycompany.com) offer some vegetarian offerings.