CasaPatrona — Restaurant in Granada

Really disappointed…after reading so many great reviews, this was my top priority booking for my Granada trip and the meal I was most looking forward to: it didn’t live up to the hype…

Arrived at 9.15pm, a usual Spanish time to eat and there were only two other couples in there. One left soon after we arrived. The decor is really lovely but that couldn’t compensate for the lack of ambience and was perhaps our first red flag.

Part of what made me so excited about this restaurant was also the menu. So on arriving, to be given what seemed to be a truncated version (about 50%) of what I’ve seen online was a shame- especially as the main course I wanted wasn’t there (the grilled partridge). I’ve attached below the full menu and then what was offered. Perhaps I missed something on the website about what is offered on weekdays.

My wife and I both ordered the razor clams as they were referenced in the reviews and seemed like the best value on the starters section. They were really chewy as a result of being overcooked. If I was a chef and I had checked those plates, there is no way they would have left the kitchen.

My wife had the red prawn arroz, although it definitely didn’t seem like the high-end red prawns I’ve read about, just simple prawns. So possibly a little misleading there. She said it was fine but the salt level really built as she ate.

I had the pork-knuckle which was by far the best thing of the meal. The seasoning was on the higher side but I don’t mind that. For some, it would have been too salty. The asparagus was well cooked and the sauce was good but for €24 I would have maybe liked a carb with it? There was no option of sides either to bulk it up.

Finally, I was really looking forward to the chocolate cake and was informed it wasn’t on the menu. There were only four options for dessert, so to not have one of those available, especially the one that seems most rated in the reviews, was the final nail in the coffin of an underwhelming experience that we paid good money for.

In summary, the waiter was really nice and the food and restaurant looked good but definitely lacked the substance to befit the style.

I think an average score is about right. I would like to think if I came back on another night not in the week (maybe they save the better quality for the weekend?) it would be better. But as far as I can tell, I’ve paid the same price for a small selection of the menu that simply...

CasaPatrona is my favorite restaurant of all that I’ve been to in Granada. I came here a second night in a row, after they absolutely blew my away, and the second night was perhaps even better, because I tried so many more dishes, and every single one was spot-on delicious. Day 1, I got to try a Tuna Belly Carpaccio on a bed of garlicky potatoes pressed into a skillet to make a sort-of rosti. Reminded me of childhood, eating roasted potatoes with salty, almost raw fatty cured fish. I was also brought a sort of small lamb burger as my tapa. Then suckling lamb chops, a specialty in Granada that were cooked on a charcoal grill with red peppers. Both tasted fantastic, my server Luis did an excellent job suggesting an excellent red wine pairing. My second night, my tapa was a small Salmorejo, my favorite summer dish in Andalucía. I got the most amazing artichokes I’ve had in my life, cooked in a charcoal grill, and with a fragrant fresh black truffle grated right in front of me. A slow-cooked pork knuckle slid right off the bone, was perfectly seasoned and moist, with grilled asparagus cooked to perfection. I also enjoyed the bone marrow out of the thick knuckle bone. I got the partridge paella, with braised lemons and snow peas, which took a while, but was 100% worth the wait. It was so delicious I scraped the paella pan with my spoon clean. The artichokes were paired with the 2023 white wine in the photo, a light effervescent pairing that made them pop, and then the latter two dishes I enjoyed alongside the pictured 2020 red, a sweet, balanced fruity wine that was very enjoyable to drink. As a dessert, I got a carpaccio of smoked pineapple, with pistachios and pistachio-mint ice cream, which I found absolutely delightful. Both times the meal was finished with a chupito of Orujo with herbs, that is sweet and super easy to drink, and could be a dessert of it’s own. Luis expertly heated a snifter with boiling water before pouring a taste of brandy in it, the only right way to enjoy brandy in my opinion, and I loved every single thing. Don’t miss this place when you come to Granada, it was truly worth every second, and I wish I’d discovered it sooner. I have Michelin star restaurant experience, and the level of excellence is truly on par. If you only go to one place, come here. 10/10. Thank you, CasaPatrona

I can’t recommend this place enough. We came across Casa Patrona while very jetlagged. We were there an hour before the kitchen was due to open, but they kindly offered to open early for us. We almost turned down this generous offer, as our jetlag meant we couldn’t decide whether we were actually hungry. Thank goodness we ended up staying! The food here is a cut above. This is high-end tapas with influences from Japan, France and elsewhere. Every dish was executed to perfection, everything looked beautiful and the flavors were perfectly balanced. The prices were very reasonable for such incredible food. We enjoyed the refreshing Vichysoisse, smoked anchovies with burrata, spicy lettuce hearts and a wonderful blue cheesecake. The team were kind, patient (as I said, we were very indecisive) and passionate about their menu. They were able to tell us all about the food and wine options, and clearly love what they do. If you are thinking about eating here, don’t hesitate. I hope to come back to Granada without jet lag and with a big appetite so that I can try more of the menu. Thank you for a wonderful and...