Let´s talk about the best foods in the Pyrenees of Spain. Which local dishes should you not miss on any Pyrenees road trip?

• This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read my disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Best Foods in the Pyrenees of Spain

About the Spanish Pyrenees

The mountain range of the Spanish Pyrenees includes 4 regions on the Iberian Peninsula – the Basque Country, Navarra, Aragon, and Catalonia.

However, the vast majority of hikes, ski resorts, and mountain peaks can be found within the Pyrenees of Aragon and Catalonia. Despite visiting the Spanish Pyrenees every year (since it´s one of my all-time favorite destinations), I still have so many places on my bucket list for the Pyrenees of Aragon and Catalonia – as both are huge in terms of hikes, traditional foods, and adventurous activities.

You can read more about my past trips & itineraries under the hashtag Pyrenees.

Eating in the Pyrenees of Spain

The cuisine of the Spanish Pyrenees is deeply rooted in the region’s cultural heritage and embraced by the natural setting. The Pyrenees mountain range stretches from the Atlantic cliffs of Northern Spain to the vibrant Costa Brava, so you can count on discovering lots of diverse local foods on the go.

The most common dishes in the rustic mountain villages of the Pyrenees are often stews and cheeses. However, I have a lot of places and foods to share with you, based on my numerous trips to the region. I´ve put up this quick list of the best foods in the Pyrenees of Spain so that you can make the most of your visit to this unique mountain range.

Restaurants in the Pyrenees of Spain

While the Pyrenees is a perfect place for hiking and budget-friendly stays, these days you can easily find Michelin-star restaurants, like La Era de los Nogales, El Montañés, Canfranc Express, Taberna de Lillas, and Tatau. All of these are perfect for fine dining and would be a great match for travel travelers who appreciate expertly crafted dishes made from the finest local ingredients with an innovative touch.

If you are visiting the Pyrenees on a budget, there are still plenty of local bars and restaurants to find the menu del dia. It is a fixed-price menu offered by many venues during lunchtime, designed to provide a complete meal at an affordable price (always way more economical than ordering a la carte). The price is usually from 15 to 30 euros per person. In the touristy areas, I’d say an average is 22-25 euros per person (usually including a starter, main dish, dessert, coffee, and drinks).

Las Bordas in the Pyrenees

Another popular dining concept in the Pyrenees of Spain is la borda.

La borda used to be an annex of many local high mountain houses, where the grass and cattle were kept. Nowadays, it is a popular place for traditional fine dining, especially in Andorra (where you can find at least 20 restored bordas turned into beautiful restaurants).

Here are a few traditional bordas to enjoy in the Spanish Pyrenees: Borda Chiquin (in Anso), Borda Arracona (in Anso), Borda Bisaltico (in Hecho), Borda Chaca (near Jaca), Kanguro Truchero (in Bielsa), Borda Juan Ramon (in Aisa), La Borda d’Arnaldet (in Sesue), and Borda de Pastores (near Sabiñanigo).

The borda Moli dels Fanals (which I recently visited on a romantic getaway to Andorra) is more of a luxury restaurant. However, most of the places I share in this post are quite local & budget-friendly.

Must-try Dishes in the Spanish Pyrenees

1. Olla in the Pyrenees of Spain

Olla is a traditional meat stew popular in the Spanish Pyrenees.

However, each mountain region has its own type of this Spanish dish: in Val d’Aran you can taste – olla aranesa, in the Pyrenees of Aragon – olla jacetana or olla montañesa. In the Pyrenees of Catalonia, you will come across escudella – a hearty meat and vegetable soup filled with carbs like rice, potatoes, or pasta.

Olla is a perfect example of Pyrenean comfort food, ideal for the chilly mountain climate and active hiking vacation. This local meal is usually made with a variety of meats (often including pork, beef, and sausages), potatoes, chickpeas, and vegetables.

2. Migas in the Pyrenees of Aragon

Migas is a traditional Spanish dish that originated as a shepherd’s meal, made from leftover bread crumbs fried with garlic, and paprika, and often accompanied by chorizo, bacon, or other types of meats. It is often served with a fried egg and fresh grapes on the top.

While migas is not something I would eat in my daily life, I order it in the Pyrenees sometimes. This humble yet flavorful dish is one of the most traditional foods in the Pyrenees of Spain. All thanks to its simple and available ingredients.

3. Trinchado in the Pyrenees of Catalonia

Trinchado de col y patata is mashed cabbage with potatoes – one of the most traditional dishes in the cuisine of the Catalan Pyrenees. Since the cabbage harvest takes place from December to March, it is also a typical winter dish.

Last time I tried it in Andorra: the restaurant served trinchado with butifarra – a traditional Catalonian sausage made from pork, garlic, and spices.

3. Local Meat in the Spanish Pyrenees

Variety of meat dishes

Finding great places to eat in the Spanish Pyrenees might not be an easy task for vegans or vegetarians. For centuries, local cuisine has been largely based on meat dishes (since it´s what locals had within their reach before the supermarkets popped up on the map).

Therefore, the variety of meat dishes in the Pyrenees is huge: you will find cordero (lamb), liebre (hare), codorniz (quail) o perdiz (partridge), and even jabalí (wild boar) in most of the local restaurants.

Ternasco & Chiretas in the Aragon Pyrenees

Additionally, I would highlight Ternasco and Chiretas. Both are highly popular in the Pyrenees of Aragon.

Ternasco de Aragón is a lamb meat distinguished with the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and considered one of the tastiest in the country. Chiretas are made from lamb offal, with the tripe sewn and stuffed with rice seasoned with garlic, parsley, and other spices, along with sweetbreads, lungs, and heart.

However, I often go for the well-known pick, like paletilla de cordero (slow-cooked lamb shoulder) or chuletas de cordero (lamb chops). Since the quality of meat is so good and the cooking process local & homemade, you often don’t need to search for something rare to discover the most delicious foods in the Spanish Pyrenees.

4. Local Cheese in the Pyrenees of Spain

The Pyrenean region is well-known for its sheep flocks, goats, and cows, so the local shepherds have been producing their best artisanal cheeses for centuries. So, you can enjoy a diverse palette of cheeses in the Pyrenees of Spain.

To name a few popular ones for the Pyrennes of Aragon – Quesos Bal de Broto, Quesos de Radiquero, Quesos Flor de Aspe, Queso de Saravillo, El Benasqués, Queso de Senz, Queso de Benabarre, Quesería O´Xortical, Quesos de La Litera, Quesos Val de Cinca, Quesos Villa Villera, Quesos Capricho de Guara, Queso d’Estrabilla, and Más del Tano.

The Basque Queso Idiazabal and Queso de Oveja Curado del Pirineo Navarro Santa Leokadia are popular in the Pyrenees of Navarra. For the Pyrenees of Catalonia, you can check out Casa Mateu, Formatgeria Valette, and Quesos Vall de Meranges.

Also, you can easily find most of these cheeses in local food stores, and sometimes even supermarkets. In case you are allowed to bring dairy products back home (cause many countries have restrictions), do not forget that a Pyrenees cheese can be a great food souvenir from Spain.

Other popular diary-based dishes in the Pyrenees of Spain are requeson con miel ( a cottage cheese with honey), called Mel i Mato in the Catalan Pyrenees, and cuajada (a dairy dessert made from sheep’s milk).

5. Local Tomatoes

On my last visit to the Pyrenees, I accidentally discovered mouthwatering local tomatoes. The small town of Barbastro in the Pre-Pyrenees of Spain is known for its pink tomatoes, famous for their special flavor. This variety of tomatoes is large in size, pinkish in color, with a thin skin and great meatiness.

6. Fondue & French Influences in the Pyrenees of Spain

While a cheese fondue has nothing to do with Spanish cuisine, you can still find quite a few places to enjoy it in the Pyrenees of Catalonia and Andorra.

Originating from the Alpine areas of France and Switzerland, a cheese fondue has lately gained popularity in the Pyrenees. While it is traditionally served in a communal pot, heated over a flame, so that the diners dip chunks of crusty bread into the smooth, rich mixture, both times I had a fondue in the Pyrenees, they put a cheese inside bread.

Personally, I love eating fondue during my winter trips to the Pyrenees. This dish creates a warm and sociable dining experience that is both simple and luxurious.

7. Traditional Pastries in the Pyrenees

In local panaderias (bakeries) you will find different varieties of bread and pastries. On my last road trip to Aragon, we stopped at the local Panadería César Ascaso, located in the tiny village of Ayerbe. Here, you can find a few typical delicatessens of the Aragon region –  refollado, torta de anis, torta de huevo.

Another popular local pastry in Aragon is tortetas. These pastries remind doughnuts and are made with pork lard, flour, anise, egg, broth, pine nuts, and a variety of spices.

Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Spanish Pyrenees

The Spanish Pyrenees offer much more than incredible mountain cuisine. In the video below, I answer the questions readers ask me most often, from choosing the best area to stay and planning your itinerary to hiking, family travel, and seasonal tips. Feel free to leave your own questions in the comments.

Read more about the Pyrenees:

• Top Adventurous Things to Do in the Pyrenees (read it)
• Beautiful Small Towns in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
• Exploring The Pre-Pyrenees of Spain: A weekend in Sierra de Guara (read it)
• Cogost de Montrebei: The Most Adventurous Hike in Spain (read it)
• Epic 7 Days in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
• 10-Day Pyrenees Itinerary: An Ultimate Road Trip from Madrid (read it)
• Hiking Trails in The Pyrenees You Can Not Miss (read it)
• Top Beautiful Places to Visit in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
• Exploring the Pyrenees of Catalonia (read it)
• 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Pyrenees with Kids (read it)
• Top Romantic Things to do in Andorra (read it)
• The Spanish Pyrenees Road Trip 4-Day Itinerary (read it)
• Skiing in Spain: Our Baqueira Beret Family Getaway (read it)
• Top Things to Do in Andorra (read it)
• 3 days in the Pyrenees of Aragon with Seniors & Kids (read it)
• Hiking Guide to Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Spain (read it)
• One Day in Andorra: Why You Should Really Visit Andorra in Winter (read it)

Pin it:

For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

• Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda and Booking
• Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
• Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
• Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
• For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
• Audio guides: Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
• Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner and Kiwi
• Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
• Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Omio (10% off with code ATC10 for first-time customers)
• Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Discover Cars
• Top E-Sim: To avoid roaming fees, I like Holafly (use ATLIFESTYLECROSSROADS for for a 5% discount)
• Shop My Level8 Suitcase: get 15% off with the code ATC15 here
• Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
• Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
• Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
• Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
• Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
• Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
• Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
• For Bloggers: To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22
• Website Owners: For hosting services, I work with and recommend Lyrical Host (get 10% off with my code ATC10)