The best roadside bars to make a stop along the way

summer operation

begins .

These days millions of trips by road to the summer resorts are expected, and those who more and less will make several stops along the way to rest and have a snack.

Whether it's for a quick coffee, a sandwich or a good menu, the options are endless.

Last April, the Repsol Guide launched

that recognizes the quality of these establishments located on the busiest roads in the 50 provinces of Spain.

The guide includes places to get your strength back quickly, to eat quietly, to order a delicious sandwich with beautiful views, to discover the gastronomy of the area and even those that are the favorites of truckers.

We recall a

with this distinction (see the entire list here) located at the foot of the six main national highways that leave the capital and we add some more

How to know which ones are these soletes?

At the entrance of any of these establishments, the image designed by Luis Úrculo appears: a sun with a blurred outline with a smile.

Mediterranean Highway

The A-7 and the AP-7 are those that connect Catalonia with Andalusia.

Throughout the more than 1,100 kilometers that run through the entire east and south of the peninsula, the number of roadside bars is almost infinite.

Some of those that have soletes, from north to south, are:

Buffet d'Altafulla

(Ctra Nacional, N-340, km 1173, Alatafulla, Tarragona; 977 650 028).

Where the A-7 and the N-340 meet and near Altafulla beach, this modern brasserie with spacious dining rooms has been having one of the best free buffets in the area since 1977, with an extensive and varied selection of seasonal products (price from 15 euros).

Buffet d'Altafulla, in Tarragona.

Bar Coratge

(Avenida de Dénia, 25, Beniarbeig, Alicante; 965 766 643).

At exit 62 of the AP-7, in Beniarbeig and near Denia, this bar is famous throughout the region for its couscous dishes and its homemade cocas.

Venta El Abasto Restaurant

(Av. de San Javier, 40, La Aparecida, Murcia; 968 554 000).

A century-old establishment specializing in traditional homemade dishes, slow-cooked stews and grilled meats.

Venta del Pobre-Restaurant

(Calle Viajero, 1, Venta del Pobre, Almería; 950 385 544).

Simple cuisine and homemade dishes at this restaurant in Níjar, near Carboneras, famous for the tomato from Almería, the ham, its grilled cut of meat, the fish of the day and Uncle Ramón's croquettes.

Cantabrian highway

The A-8 and the AP-8 run through the entire north of the peninsula, along the Cantabrian coast, from the Basque Country to Galicia.

South wind gastroteka

(Bernardo Ezenarro, 17, Elgóibar, Guipúzcoa; 943 543 497).

One of the most recognized pintxo bars in this inland town that crosses the AP-8 motorway.

They also offer small portions, salads, hamburgers...

Kobika

(San Ignacio Auzunea Etxetaldea, 8, Durango, Vizcaya; 946 810 003).

A place to pay homage to the signature Basque cuisine of the Kortabitarte brothers.

Signature cuisine in Kobika (Vizcaya).

Magnolia Castro

(Argentine Republic, 1, Castro Urdiales, Cantabria; 942 000 844).

In the center of Castro Urdiales, this place offers good traditional cuisine with local and seasonal products.

It is worth eating on the terrace.

El Refugio Restaurant

(Bo. Mies Coterios, 364, Torrelavega, Cantabria; 942 804 658).

Totally renovated 20th century mansion with rustic and modern decoration specializing in traditional cuisine, based on grilled meats, Cantabrian fish and homemade desserts.

Casa Cofiño

(Place, Bo. Caviedes, 0 SN, Caviedes, Cantabria; 942 708 046).

This inn is located in a village, renowned for its mountain stew.

Large assortment of croquettes and homemade desserts.

Reservations recommended.

Cabo Vidio Hotel Restaurant

(Exit 438 of A-8, towards Valdredo, Cudillero, Asturias; 628 842 315).

Cantabrian fish and the best meats in this place in an idyllic setting near Cudillero.

Their clams a la marinera stand out.

Mountain stew from Casa Cofiño (Cantabria).

HIGHWAY A-1

Boceguillas Area Restaurant

(A-1, km 115, Boceguillas, Segovia; 921 543 703).

Nice circular restaurant with a dome with a carefully prepared and varied menu, which includes lamb roasted in a wood oven, fresh vegetables, spoon dishes and homemade desserts... In its cafeteria you can also eat from a sandwich to fried eggs with potatoes and ham.

It has a terrace.

El lagar de Milagros

(Highway N-1, exit km 146, Milagros, Burgos; 947 548 091).

This rustic grill is a classic stop to eat a good lamb on the way to Burgos.

It is located 15 km from Aranda de Duero and among its specialties are, in addition to suckling lamb, Castilian soup, Aranda blood sausage and suckling lamb kidneys.

It has recharging for electric car.

Bartzelona

(Barrio Esnaola, 7, Legorreta, Guipúzcoa; 943 80 62 06).

Continuing north to Irún, on a hill with spectacular views of the Gipuzkoan mountains, at exit 426 of the A-1, this rural house serves a variety of home-made dishes that include local meat and fresh fish.

Boceguillas area, Segovia

HIGHWAY A-2

Area 103

(Highway A-2, km 103, Almadrones, Guadalajara; 949 285 522).

Road bar with more than 125 years of experience where you can eat from a variety of sandwiches and portions to roast meat and lamb and spoon dishes.

It has a shop with typical products from the area.

It has a hostel and a museum with old cars.

Area 280

(A-2, km 281 Calatorao, Zaragoza; 627 710 462).

Close to Zaragoza (with stores on both sides of the motorway), this place, open 24 hours a day, has a homemade daily menu and a menu that includes its famous torreznos and other Aragonese specialties such as grilled meats.

Hostal del Carme

(Carretera N-II, km 504, Vilagrassa, Lérida; 973 31 10 00).

Nice roadside hotel in the province of Lérida with a restaurant belonging to a family that has dedicated four generations to cooking.

They serve all kinds of homemade and local food, but their star dish is the snails, which they make of various types.

HIGHWAY A-3

Bar Venta San José

(Autovía del Este, km 124, Villares del Saz, Cuenca; 969 298 458).

A classic on the Valencia highway, with more than 40 years serving breakfast, lunch and dinner (it closes at 1 a.m.).

The dishes of La Mancha cuisine, the great selection of cheeses stand out.

There is a park for children.

Las Bairetas

(Ramón y Cajal, s/n, Valencia; 962 521 373).

At the km 323 turnoff, on the old Nacional III highway and very close to the Cheste motorcycle circuit, this family-run rice restaurant serves all kinds of wood-fired rice dishes, as well as other homemade dishes that blend tradition and avant-garde.

Rice dishes from Las Bairetas (Valencia).

HIGHWAY A-4

Hostal El Amigo Restaurant

(Ctra. de Andalucía, km 57, 200, Ocaña, Toledo; 925 130 285);

Extensive facilities that include a hostel, restaurant and bar, with homemade food at a good price.

There are several daily menus and a menu with typical dishes from the area.

Mesón Despeñaperros

(Av. de Andalucía, 91, Santa Elena, Jaén; 953 664 100).

Spectacular views of Despeñaperros from the terrace of this restaurant that has been awarded several times for its excellent traditional cuisine: home-made partridge pâté, Alfonso XIII omelette, bush meat in mushroom sauce, grilled meat or the fried donuts from Jaén.

Mesón la Campiña

(La Campiña Industrial Estate, C. Asturias, 2, Écija, Seville; 691418430).

Located at km 456 of the motorway, past Écija, this restaurant is ideal both for snacking on a small portion and for tasting homemade soups and grilled meats.

HIGHWAY A-5

King's Corral.

(Barbaño, Badajoz; 606 283 577).

After passing the town of Mérida, towards Badajoz, at exit 365, this restaurant serves everything from beef and kid sirloin to grilled cod.

If the weather is good, it is worth sitting on the terrace.

El Chupi

(Antonio de Nebrija, 3, Badajoz; 924 271 722).

On the outskirts of Badajoz, it is a lifelong classic, specializing in breaded lamb chops.

Also in offal, cheeses and sausages from the area.

HIGHWAY A-6

La Magdalena de Combarros

(N-VI, km. 335, Combarros, León; 987 606 559).

In the former Nacional VI, this simple place has a wide variety of hearty homemade dishes and stews.

The grilled meats and spoon dishes stand out, in addition to the toasts, also very popular for breakfast.

Casa do Labrego 1978 (Lugo).

Casa do Labrego1978

(Museum Street, 29, Baamonde, Lugo; 617 822 113).

This rustic stone eating house at exit 522A of the motorway has been open since 1978 offering its cuisine based on typical Galician products.

It specializes in its famous cocido labrego, but its clams, Galician beef and Iberian pork tenderloin, with a good portion of padrón peppers, also triumph.

Booking is recommended.

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