Busy central tapas bar on Calle Cetti Meriem with generous free tapas and a wide beer and wine list.
La Riviera is a busy central tapas bar at Calle Cetti Meriem 7 in Granada's city centre, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. It sits one block from Bodegas Castañeda, one of the best-known tapas addresses in the city, and draws a mix of local office workers, students and visitors moving between the bars around the Cathedral and Plaza Nueva. The cuisine is straightforward Andalusian tapas, built around the Granada custom in which every drink arrives with a free tapa. At La Riviera the free tapa is generous, often a croqueta served with fries, and the quality of the free plate is a large part of the bar's reputation. Croquetas are the signature item, and the bocadillo de jamón serrano y queso, a small bread roll filled with cured ham and cheese, is the other dish most often mentioned. The drinks list covers draught beer, bottled beer and a wide selection of Spanish wines by the glass, so a round of drinks can easily turn into a full light meal without ordering anything extra. The typical spend is about €7 to €14 per person, which makes it one of the cheaper ways to eat in the centre. The dining room is a functional, high-turnover bar rather than a restaurant: the counter is crowded at lunchtime and again from the early evening, noise levels are high, and there is no dress code. Opening hours run from around 12:30 to 00:30 daily, so it works equally well for a late lunch or a late-night snack, though hours should be confirmed locally. Reservations are not taken. Visitors simply find a spot at the bar or a standing space and order drinks, and the free tapas follow. Peak pressure falls around 14:00 to 15:30 and from 21:00, when waiting for a space at the bar is common. Because the bar is only a short walk from Bodegas Castañeda, many visitors combine the two in a single tapas crawl along the streets behind Plaza Nueva, ordering a drink at each and eating the free tapa offered. Ordering a second drink usually brings a different tapa, which makes the bar a practical way to sample several small dishes for the price of a few drinks.
| Price | € (typically €7–€14 (~$8.05–$16.10)/person) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 12:30–00:30 (confirm locally) |
| Reservations | Free tapa with every drink; no reservations |
| Address | Calle Cetti Meriem, 7, 18010 Granada, Spain |
Signature dishes
- Croquetas
- Bocadillo de jamón serrano y queso
Good to know
- Known for
- Generous free tapas, often a croqueta with fries; one block from Bodegas Castañeda
Location
Calle Cetti Meriem, 7, 18010 Granada, Spain
37.1773, -3.5975 View on map
Highlights
- Free tapa with every drink, often a croqueta with fries
- Bocadillo de jamón serrano y queso as a cheap filling bite
- Wide beer and wine list at low prices
- One block from Bodegas Castañeda for an easy tapas crawl
Tips for visiting
- Expect to spend roughly €7–€14 per person when the free tapas replace a meal.
- Arrive before 14:00 or after 15:30 to avoid the busiest lunch crush.
- No reservations are taken; stand at the bar and order drinks first.
- Order a different drink each round, as the free tapa usually changes.
When to visit
Late lunch outside 14:00–15:30 or an early evening visit before 21:00 gives easier access to the bar.
Accessibility
The bar is a small, crowded street-level room, and space between the counter and tables can be tight at peak times. Visitors using wheelchairs may find it easier to visit outside the lunch and evening rushes.
Frequently asked questions
Are tapas free at La Riviera?
Yes. In keeping with Granada custom, each drink comes with a free tapa, often a croqueta with fries.
Does La Riviera take reservations?
No. It operates as a walk-in bar and is busiest around 14:00–15:30 and after 21:00.
How much does a meal cost?
Most visitors spend around €7–€14 per person, since the free tapas can replace a full meal.