Restaurante Hostal Abat Cisneros

The sanctuary's restaurant

This is the restaurant of the Hostal Abat Cisneros, the hotel on the same square as the monastery. The main dining room occupies the old 16th-century stables: a stone vault and, for a wall, the living rock of the mountain. It is the Salón de Piedra (Stone Room), with space for 120 people; next to it is the Salón Rosa (Pink Room), for around a hundred. The cooking is traditional, with the odd new touch, in a calm setting.

It is the sanctuary's tablecloth table. If you are after something quicker or cheaper, the site also has the Restaurante Montserrat, the Buffet Montserrat, the Cafetería and the Bar de la Plaça.

When to go and how to book

Its booking system offers three sittings: breakfast from 8:00 to 10:00, lunch from 13:00 and dinner from 19:30 to 21:00. Dinner is a buffet. Book online, on 607 243 305 or by email; if the system gives no time for the day you want, phone. When booking you say how many adults and how many children are coming.

It also caters for groups, family celebrations and other gatherings, with its own rooms.

Getting there

The restaurant is in the heart of the site. By car you drive up to the sanctuary, where parking is paid and spaces at the top are limited. Without a car, or to avoid the mountain road, park for free at Monistrol Vila and go up on the rack railway, or on the cable car from its station; from Barcelona, the Ferrocarrils R5 connects with both. If you want to earn your lunch, first do the Hermitages Path via Sant Miquel and Sant Joan, about two hours.