La Cárcava

This weekend we have been in Valladolid and La Caravaca was one of the obligatory stops. It is one of those places that you go to in winter with a wide smile. And after taking a short walk around the centre at zero degrees on an empty stomach, La Caravaca is one of the most warm and pleasant options.

Once you’ve ordered some wine and tapas, it only gets better. Open sandwiches (In Madrid we call them tostas) for every fancy. Of course, much more elaborate than those in most Madrid bars. That coupled with a good bottle of Ribera del Duero and some good travel companions make Valladolid a better place than one would expect. I ordered a double and the truth is that it sat excellently, perfect temperature and a five star flavour...

For me it is the best place for tapas in Valladolid, they have an extensive range to suit all tastes that accompanied by a beer or wine from the region make for the perfect combination.

Very close to the Plaza Mayor, near the Cathedral of Valladolid, the interior is rather small and sometimes takes a bit to get to the bar and be served, but it’s surely worth the effort.

In summer they have a rather small terrace in which they usually serve you, meaning you need not seek access to the bar, but still get a table.

Prices are standard, so it's accessible and without surprises.

It's a small place, but with the charm of being a traditional locale that breathes the atmosphere of a lifetime in a good place for tapas: waiters who know how to treat a customer, good wine, good tapas and good price.

It is in a privileged area next to the cathedral, so if you’re close by you will not regret it. However don’t expect any frills, or to be as comfortable as you would like. The bar gets full to the rafters.

Reasonable prices, exquisite tapas, variety, lovely people, next to the cathedral, a unique success.

The problem is on Saturdays it’s crowded... Although it is to be expected even when taking into account that it is not located in the golden mile of the Valladolid tapas route.