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What Food To Try in Pamplona and Food Prices

How much does lunch and dinner cost

Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Pamplona for 2024.

National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Pamplona cafes and restaurants
$13.1 
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $9.83
$54.6 
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $32.75
$9.3 
Combo Meal
Starting from $7.64

What to Try in Pamplona

Must-try Dishes
Chistorra - A spiced pork sausage, typically grilled until crisp outside and juicy inside. Enjoyed as a street food favorite during the San Fermín festival, it’s easy to grab and share with friends.

Pintxos de Tortilla - These are small slices of Spanish omelette, often topped with piparras (spicy peppers) or other local ingredients. Locals often grab them for breakfast or as an afternoon snack in vibrant bars filled with chatter.

Cordero al Chilindrón - Tender lamb cooked in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers and onions, served often with potatoes. This hearty dish is commonly enjoyed for lunch or dinner, especially during colder months.

Estofado de Toro - A slow-cooked beef stew with robust spices and chickpeas, creating a warm, filling meal. Often savored during family gatherings, it showcases the rich flavors of traditional Pamplona cooking.

Txistorra con Pimientos - Grilled chorizo-style sausage served with sweet peppers, offering a delightful contrast of spicy and savory flavors. It’s a popular late-night snack, often enjoyed by locals after a night out.

Habitas con Jamón - Broad beans sautéed with Spanish ham, providing a simplistic yet hearty dish. Best during spring when the beans are fresh, this dish highlights local produce at its peak season.

Navarra Ratatouille - Pisto de Navarra - A medley of vegetables like zucchini and tomatoes, stewed together, creating a luscious vegetarian option. Typically eaten as a light dinner in summer, it's a refreshing choice on hot evenings.

Garbanzos con Espinacas - Chickpeas cooked with spinach and spices, creating a simple yet nourishing dish. This is especially eaten during Lent, illustrating traditional customs of fasting while still enjoying hearty food.

Desserts & Drinks
Café con Leche - Café con Leche (milky coffee) - A robust espresso mixed with warm milk, often enjoyed at breakfast or during the afternoon. Locals love to sit at cafes with friends, ideal for a mid-morning pick-me-up, but the ratio of coffee to milk can vary wildly depending on personal taste; don’t be surprised if you get less coffee than you expected!

Tinto de Verano - Tinto de Verano (summer red wine drink) - A refreshing mix of red wine and lemon soda, served over ice and garnished with a slice of lemon. Perfect for hot afternoons, you’ll find it at outdoor eateries and bars during summer and it's typically cheaper than a full bottle of wine.

Churros - Churros (fried dough pastries) - Crispy long pastries, dusted with sugar and often served with a side of thick hot chocolate for dipping. A favorite among families and friends during breakfast or snacks in the late afternoon; be careful not to order them with chocolate if you are expecting something light, as it's quite indulgent!

Helado - Helado (ice cream) - Rich and creamy ice cream, often made with local flavors like flan or turrón (nougat). Best enjoyed during the warm summer months, there's something particularly delightful about enjoying a scoop while meandering through the streets, especially when the ice cream shop has a line of excited kids outside.

Pastel de Belem - Pastel de Belem (custard tart) - A flaky pastry filled with rich custard, typically served warm and dusted with cinnamon. Found at special occasions like festivals or family gatherings, the delicate balance of crispy crust and creamy filling makes it a sweet treat that locals cherish; just watch out for the often sticky fingers!

By the way, don’t forget to try the local wines; you might find a whole new appreciation for the region’s offerings!

Food and Groceries in Pamplona

Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
Bread $1.25
Bananas $2.53
Oranges $1.91
Potatoes $1.75
Apples $2.45
Beverages
Water 1.5L $0.86
0.5L Local Beer $0.96
Imported Beer $2.48
Wine Rating >4.0 $5.46
Milk 1L $0.95

Various Groceries
Meat (Beef or Pork) $11.69
Chicken $7.55
Cigarettes $5.68
Rice $1.3
Local Cheese $13.37

Overview of Cuisine and Specialties

Mealtime scenes here reflect a distinct rhythm, especially around lunchtime when streets bustle with locals spilling out of nearby cafés and restaurants. In Pamplona, lunch typically takes place between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, transforming the city into a vibrant tapestry of conversations and laughter. You'll see folks indulging in hearty meals; a good menú del día can set you back anywhere from €12 to €20 depending on the venue.

Contrary to many visitors' assumptions that Spanish dining starts late, it's common for dinner to begin well before 9:00 PM. During peak hours—from about 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM—restaurants can be packed, especially in the Old Town's winding streets where you’ll encounter numerous tapas bars. If you're looking for a quieter experience, targeting mealtimes just before or after rush hours can be advantageous.

Price-wise, dining out sees some interesting variances. A typical pintxo might cost around €2 to €5 in the Old Town, while restaurants in the newer parts of the city may charge around €5 to €8 for similar offerings. One notable experience was paying €15 for a delicious lunch at a café in the Plaza del Castillo that included a starter, main dish, and dessert—a steal compared to some establishments further away, where the identical meal might run upwards of €25.

Payment customs can be a bit unique here; while credit cards are widely accepted, many small places still prefer cash. It’s not uncommon to encounter some establishments requiring minimum spending for card transactions (trust me, it’s something you don’t want to discover when you're trying to settle your bill). Local tipping norms are also quite relaxed; rounding up the bill or leaving small change is perfectly sufficient.

Another dining habit worth noting is the strong custom of sharing dishes among friends or family, known as "ir de pintxos." This not only adds to the communal experience but also allows diners to sample various offerings. A common tourist mistake is limiting themselves to only traditional restaurants, thereby missing out on innovative cuisine developing in the city’s thriving food scene.

Recently, there has been a noticeable shift as younger locals explore plant-based diets, encouraging an increase in vegetarian and vegan offerings across the city. This reflects broader culinary trends that embrace not just tradition, but also innovation and sustainability—exciting changes, indeed!