El Ají

El Ají is a restaurant with a terrace at Placeta de San Miguel Bajo, 9, in the Albaicín, the old Moorish quarter of Granada, Andalusia, Spain. The placeta, or small plaza, sits on a hilltop in the upper part of the neighbourhood, and the terrace tables facing it are the main draw, giving diners a quiet outdoor setting among the whitewashed houses and narrow lanes of one of the city's World Heritage areas. The cuisine is modern Spanish, with an emphasis on grilled meat and fish. Dishes include grilled meat, baked fish and seasonal market dishes, which change with the produce available. The menu is not built around a single emblematic plate; the appeal lies in simple, well-prepared food served in a setting that suits a long lunch or an evening meal. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, with a mix of visitors and residents, moderate noise from the plaza and no dress code. In warm months the terrace is the preferred seating, and in cooler weather the indoor room provides shelter. The beverage list covers regional and Spanish wines by the glass or bottle, along with beer and soft drinks, and a glass of chilled white or rosé suits the grilled fish. Reservations are advised for terrace tables, particularly at weekends and in the spring and autumn seasons, when the plaza is at its busiest. Typical spending is about €18–€28 (roughly $20.70–$32.20) per person. The restaurant is generally open daily from 13:00 to 23:00, though visitors should confirm locally. Reaching the Albaicín involves a steep climb from the centre, so many visitors take a local minibus or a taxi up and walk down, and the stop works well as a meal during an exploration of the quarter, close to the Mirador de San Nicolás and the other viewpoints over the Alhambra.