The excellent raw materials used in the local cuisine really stand out. Staple ingredients include the pulses, the famous chickpeas from Fuentesauco or 'garbanzos', the exquisite cheese made from sheep´s milk, honey from Sanabria, asparagus from Guareña, peppers from Benavente, steak from Aliste, mushrooms, game, cold meats, cakes and sweets...Apart from the tasty roasts, also worth tasting are the rice dishes from Zamora. Traditional dishes include bacalao a la tranca a cod dish, el pulpo a la sanabresa an octopus dish, dos y pingada two fried eggs with fried ham, usually served in Easter and '"presas de ternera" a veal dish. For dessert there is the rebojo Zamorano, a very tasty though hard type of bun, and "las natillas almendradas" Spanish style custard with almonds.
In general, tipping is not always expected but always appreciated. There's not a fixed rate, just leave the spare change or a few euros, depending on where you eat.There are several quality restaurants can be found in Zamora. Just to name a few:
Budget
Hostal/Restaurante Jarama: A bit off the tourist areas. The three-course menu will run you on â¬10. Popular with local workers and kids celebrating their football victories during the weekend.
Restaurante Gofer's: This self-service place will cost you around â¬8.
Telepizza: The only outlet of the Spanish pizza giant. Near the Plaza de la Marina. Tel: +34 980 51 44 00
McDonalds: Only one, at Eroski shopping centre.
Burger King: Only one, can be accessed both off the Bus Station or Avenida de Cardenal Cisneros.
Döner Kebab: The best is in Calle Amargura, called Burger Zafiro. Another one is soon to be opened outside the Bus Station, near Burger King.
Several bars offer a set menu, usually under â¬10. It is either a three-course meal or a plato combinado, that is a fish or meat dish, served with a salad or french fries/chips. A much better alternative to fast-food chains.
Tapa culture in Zamora is deeply-rooted. To further promote it, the contest De Tapas por Zamora was established in 2006 and is held in May-June. Participating bars create an appetizer or tapa for â¬1 especially for this contest, and locals have to choose a winner while entering a raffle sponsored by local businesses.
The best-known tapa in town is the pincho moruno, grilled pork meat with herbs on a skewer, served at Bar Lobo, between San Torcuato Street and Tres Cruces Avenue. It has the ability of drawing people from all over the country merely to get a taste of it.
Another excellent stop would be Dolfos, with both loads of sweet and sour options to choose from. Just mind the steep flight of stairs on the way in/out.
Midrange
Restaurante Capitol: Near the main monuments and the Town Hall Sq. Tel: + 34 51 88 81.
Top end
Restaurante ParÃs: Excellent value for money. A plentiful three-course meal will run you on â¬35. This elegant establishment is located on Avenida de Portugal, near the Parque de la Marina and features a well-kept greenhouse. Excellent seafood, not only serving traditional dishes like bacalao a la tranca but also international delights like a too-good-to-be-true lobster salad or Ensalada de Bogavante. Skip your diet and top your meal off with the Teja de la Casa dessert, a thin almond and caramel cookie, accompanied by custard, ice-cream, etc. Tel: +34 980 51 22 81
Restaurante Sancho 2: Also located in the heart of town, this is a popular place where locals celebrate company dinners, weddings and such. It went through an extensive renovation a couple of years ago. Another fine example blending local tradition and international culinary trends. Tel: +34 980 52 60 54.