Spain Guide
Castilla y León and La Rioja
Eating
1 Alcacil c/San Pablo 49 
923 280 590 Veggies need look no further, a smart restaurant serving dishes such as seasonal risotto or spinach-and-pine-nut stuffed peppers. Lunch dishes are €7–10; at night, a €17 tasting menú lets you choose five tapas from a changing list, with puds and drinks extra. Opening time: Closed Sun eve & Mon
2 
El Ave c/Libreros 24 923 264 511 Right by the university, and with long opening hours. Breakfast, tapas, sandwiches and platos are standard, but you can also get shakes, juices and a choice of teas, and it's another euro to sit outside under the shady parasols. Price: Most dishes €3–8 Opening time: Daily 8am to midnight; closed last week Dec & first week Jan
3 Chez Victor c/Espoz y Mina 26 923 213 123 A French-influenced restaurant, specializing in seasonal market cuisine, including fish and game. It's been at the forefront of Salamanca dining for years.Price: At least €50 Opening time: Closed Sun eve, Mon & Aug
4 Dulcinea c/Pozo Amarillo 5 923 217 843 Probably the best-value restaurant in the centre, this reliable, old-fashioned place near the market has two straightforward menús at €10 and €20, and an à la carte menu of meat and fish that won't break the bank.
5 Mesón Cervantes Plaza Mayor 15 923 217 213 Two selling points here: a prime position overlooking Plaza Mayor (arrive early at meal times for a window seat) and all-day food service from 10am onwards. Serves platos combinados from around €9 or €10, or drinks, tapas and raciones.
6 Mesón Las Conchas Rúa Mayor 16 923 212 167 Reasonable prices and reliable food, especially the platos combinados (from €8) or the set lunch menú (€13). You can sit outside, while two nice dining rooms upstairs are linked by the city's most amusingly low doorway.
7 El Patio Chico c/Meléndez 13 923 265 103 A typical brick-walled tavern with rear dining room, where raciones, sandwiches, grills and salads are served throughout the day. The food isn't the greatest, but there's lots of choice and prices are pretty fair, from around €8 for the platos combinados and with a €13 menú that's also available at night.
8 Río de la Plata Plaza Peso 1 923 210 005 The well-regarded regional Castilian cuisine here is a real step up in quality from most in the area, as are the prices – mains from €14–25, or a full meal at around €40 or more, depending on how far you investigate the enticing wine list. Opening time: Closed Mon & July
9 Vinodiario Plaza de los Basilios 1 923 614 925. Terrific contemporary wine bar with food, just off the main tourist track. There are good wines by the glass and superior meals and raciones, including brochette of mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, smoked salmon, grilled peppers, and a ground-beef-and-herb hamburger.Price: Most dishes €5–10