Parador de Carmona Restaurant

The Parador de Carmona restaurant occupies the former refectory of the alcázar of King Peter, at the highest point of the city: a dining room with high ceilings and large windows looking out over the Corbones plain, which stretches flat to the horizon. It is Carmona's place for a tablecloth lunch with a view, open also to those not staying at the Parador.

A Mudéjar palace above the citadel

The building stands on what was a Turdetan and Punic acropolis, later the residence of the taifa king of Carmona. Peter I of Castile, the same king who promoted the Alcázar of Seville, rebuilt it and made it one of his favourite residences. Earthquakes and plunder left it in ruins in the 19th century, and in 1976 it was reborn as a Parador in the form of an Andalusi palace. Before or after lunch it is worth seeing the inner courtyard and the Salón Bermejo, with tapestries and antiques.

Spinach, alboronía and torta inglesa

Paradores defines the restaurant's cooking as traditional, with a strong Arab influence, organic vegetables from the kitchen garden and seasonal dishes. Among the local specialities it mentions are spinach with chickpeas and spices Carmona-style, rosemary-confit cod on paprika crushed potatoes, salmorejo and alboronía, the vegetable stew of Andalusi heritage. There are also Iberian meats and vegetables from the Carmona plain. For dessert, the local pastry: torta inglesa, made with candied citron or angel hair, the sweet that even has a monument in Carmona.

The Paradores listing doesn't publish menu prices: ask when you book.

Booking and getting there

Paradores doesn't publish the dining room's opening hours on its listing: book on its website or ask at reception, on 954 141 010 or at [email protected]. The Parador is on the monumental promenade of the historic centre, and the best access by car is via the Puerta de Marchena; the car park occupies the former parade ground. If you come from Seville, it is about 30 km along the Andalucía motorway.

Before or after

From the Parador you can walk down through the old town to the Priory Church of Santa María and the Alcázar de la Puerta de Sevilla, at the other end of the city. If you want something more informal nearby, the Molino de la Romera is next to the Puerta de Marchena. And if you stay the night, the Parador's rooms are in the former Casa Real.