León is one of that privileged places in Spain that is perfect to enjoy the Spanish tapas (typical Spanish aperitifs of a great variety that are usually served together with the drink). In the case of León, they are free with each consumption in almost every bar of León. The areas of Barrio Húmedo, Burgo Nuevo, La Pícara, and Eras are excellent to taste this Spanish snacks, since all these places are perfect spots of good drinks and even better food. The more commonly requested drinks are the wines Mencía del Bierzo and Prieto Picudo, accompanied with cecina (dried meat), serrano (cured) ham, chorizo (pork sausage), sausages, morcillas (blood sausages), tripe, sweetbreads, and different types of stews served as tapas.
Bar Jamón, Jamón: this bar located in León’s Barrio Húmedo offers the best tapas of serrano ham and cold meat with the consumption of either wine or beer. It can be found in Cardiles Street, but one thing is certain, it is usually very crowded.
Bar Bacanal: this bar situated in the end of Misericordia Street, in the corner formed with the Mulhacín Street, is considered as a one of the best “tapeo” places of León by its inhabitants and tourists. Here, you can chose between several different types of tapas such as spicy potatoes with mushrooms or bacon.
El Rebote: bar located in the middle of San Martín Square, known by their croquettes served as tapas, and in which a lot of varieties can be tasted: with serrano ham, cheese, bacon, cecina, tuna, or morcilla.
La Bicha: this one is another of the must-go bars during your visit to León. It is known by their tapa of morcilla, considered by many as León’s gastronomic heritage. This bar can be found in San Martín Square and it is usually known not only for the quality of the tapas, but also for the owner’s peculiar character.
Bar Las Tapas: in the middle of the Barrio Húmedo, Ordoño Street, one can found the exemplification of the Spanish saying “la calidad no está reñida con el precio”, that is, a high quality is not incompatible with a low price, since here we can order a caña (a glass of beer) with a tapa for 1.20€ (price in 2019).
If the tapas are the accompanier of a consumption of soft drinks, a glass of water, beer, or wine is the completely election of the consumer, but, being in the province of León, the visitor should not miss the opportunity of tasting the diverse wines with León’s Denomination of Origin in the different “vinotecas” or wine bars located in the Barrio Romántico as well as in the Barrio Húmedo.
