Where to eat in Bailén? Find out where to eat well and cheaply

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Where to eat in Bailén? Find out where to eat well and cheaply

Why visit Bailén?

About Parrilla El Mirador

Picadillo soup

Flamenquin

Barbecue for two

Calostros

Personal opinion

Bailén is a lovely town in Jaén, in southern Spain. It is a place that preserves the typical charm of the Andalusian villages, where history, culture, and gastronomy merge to offer visitors an unforgettable experience. Moreover, visiting it will allow you to enjoy quality gastronomy at affordable prices. But before we tell you where to eat in Bailén, let us give you a convincing reason to visit it.

Why visit Bailén? Revive the famous battle thanks to its historical re-enactment!

Whether you are a history buff, an inquiring mind who enjoys learning new things, or simply a person looking for new experiences, there is one event you should mark on your calendar. We are referring to the historical re-enactment of the Battle of Bailén. It aims to keep the memory of the battle alive and pay tribute to all the brave fighters who took part. Meanwhile, the public is informed about this significant episode in Spanish history.

During the performance, the actors recreate the moments leading up to the battle, the strategy of both sides, the development of the fighting, and its consequences. To achieve this, they use elements such as period uniforms, replicas of the weaponry, and theatrical performances held at strategic points in the historic center of Bailén. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to visit the town council’s website, where you will find everything you need to know.

But if its history is not enough reason to visit this small town, we are sure its gastronomic offer will convince you! So, if you still don’t know where to eat in Bailén, keep reading!

About Parrilla el Mirador, the best restaurant where to eat in Bailén

A few meters from the plain where the historic representation of The Battle of Bailén takes place, you will find the Parrilla El Mirador. It is a restaurant that offers traditional food at affordable prices, perfect for a meal with your partner, friends, or family. Although you won’t find overly elaborate dishes on their menu, all of them stand out because of the high-quality products they are prepared with, as well as the excellent work of their chefs.

In addition, Parrilla El Mirador has three perfectly delimited zones. An enclosed seating area that functions as a bar, a dining room, and a large terrace for dining outside when it is not too warm. It also has a parking space which, despite not being too big, is perfect as the restaurant is located on the outskirts of the town.

Finally, we would also like to highlight the staff’s excellent service. We received such good and friendly treatment that made us feel at home. That, added to the fast service, makes us consider Parrilla El Mirador the best restaurant to eat in Bailén.

Here, you will find a map to help you locate it more easily.

Picadillo soup

Picadillo soup is one of those dishes with hundreds of variations, which all have one thing in common. No matter how many times you try them, in the end, sooner or later, you will always want to repeat them. And, to be honest, that’s what happens to us every time we think of the soup we tried at Parrilla El Mirador.

This time, it was prepared with chicken broth, boiled egg, noodles, and serrano ham. We were amazed by their ability to make such a delicious dish from simple ingredients like those mentioned above. It had such an intense flavor that we didn’t leave a single drop on the dish. We loved it!

Honestly, we can say that it far exceeded our expectations. In the end, we regretted having shared it. If you love spoon dishes and don’t know where to eat in Bailén, this picadillo soup is one of your best options.

Flamenquín, a fantastic starter in the best restaurant to eat in Bailén

Although flamenquín is one of the star dishes of traditional Cordovan gastronomy, it enjoys some fame throughout Andalusia. Whether as a main dish or a starter, it is not unusual to find it in most bars and restaurants in southern Spain. Not surprisingly, Parrilla El Mirador is not an exception. That’s why we decided to try it as soon as we saw it on the menu.

Honestly, its presentation left us with a bittersweet taste. On the one hand, we found its garnishes generous, and the sauce accompanying it was exquisite. On the other hand, being cut into pieces makes the breading crack, which, in our opinion, spoiled it a little. However, we would like to point out that this is the only negative aspect.

For the rest, we can only say it was a delightful dish, large enough to be shared between two or three people. Moreover, we found its price/taste/size ratio so good that we consider it one of the best starters to order at the restaurant.

So, if you still don’t know where to eat in Bailén, this flamenquín makes Parrilla El Mirador one of your best options.

Barbecue for two

Now it is time to talk about one of the most popular dishes at Parrilla El Mirador. We are referring to its barbecue for two people. As you can see in the photo, it is a plentiful tray where you will find chorizo, sausage, bacon, chicken wings, pork chops, and lamb accompanied by roast potatoes, peppers, and onions.

Although pictures tend to diminish everything, this is a massive plate with enough food to satisfy even the biggest eaters. Our first impression when we saw it was that it would not be enough and that we would be left hungry…. How wrong we were! In the end, we were not able to finish it.

If we had to mention the most significant quality of the dish, it would be the quality of all its ingredients. In fact, except for the bacon, which was too fatty for us, the rest were perfect. The pork chops and the lamb especially.

Considering the quality, price, and quantity, barbecue for two is the best thing you can order at Parrilla El Mirador.

Colostrum with sugar and cinnamon: the star dessert of the best restaurant in Bailén

Here is one of those centuries-old recipes that are not easy to find. We are talking about colostrum or, in other words, the milk given by goats, sheep, and cows during the first days after giving birth. It is a liquid high in fat, protein, carbohydrates, and countless beneficial properties.

Their short production makes them an extremely difficult delicacy to find. Many farmers have long waiting lists of people wishing to buy them. For this reason, if you see this dessert in a restaurant anytime, don’t hesitate to try it. You may not have the chance to taste them again for a long time!

Honestly, it’s a little complicated to explain its texture and flavor. One could say it is a kind of crumbled cottage cheese in a sweet buttermilk, all covered with cinnamon powder. Although its texture may be slightly chewy, it is pleasant. Something similar happens with its taste. The colostrum alone can be bland, but when you mix it with the sugar and cinnamon, you get an unparalleled explosion of flavors in your mouth.

For us, the best you can do is to try it. We loved this dessert and can’t wait to have another chance to enjoy it again.

So, why do we consider Parrilla El Mirador the best restaurant to eat in Bailén?

When we visit a restaurant with high expectations, sometimes we suffer disappointment. In this case, as we were guided exclusively by Google reviews, we didn’t know what we would find at Parrilla El Mirador. We decided to book a table just in case, and we hit the nail on the head. The restaurant was crowded. That’s why, even though they have a spacious place, we recommend you book a table. And especially if you’re planning to eat there on a Sunday.

One of the things that surprised us the most was the excellent treatment offered by the staff. Although the dining room and bar area were busy, the staff was friendly and helpful. In addition, the dishes were served so quickly and well-spaced that the wait was never tedious, nor did we lose our appetite at any time.

All that, plus the affordable prices, the quality of the food, and the dish sizes, made us realize that visiting Parrilla El Mirador was a great idea. We liked it so much that we came back the next day! And we may well return on our next trip to the area.

That’s why, from now on, if anyone asks us where to eat in Bailén, our answer will be unanimous: Parrilla El Mirador!