3 Best Restaurants in Leon, Castile–Leon and Castile–La Mancha

León is a cold, windy town for much of the year, so it's no surprise that the local version of cocido (boiled dinner) is heartier than usual with mounds of green cabbage, spoonable blood sausage, and some 10 types of meat (chorizo, beef shanks, pork belly, and chicken, to name a few). Sample the city's best rendition at this spartan yet inviting downstairs restaurant outside the historic center—and be sure to bring an appetite.

In this softly lit dining room furnished with rustic tables and colorful ceramics, feast on top-of-the-line cured cecina (Leonese air-dried beef "ham"), roasted peppers, and chorizo. Grilled sea bream is a treat for seafood lovers; banana pudding with chocolate sauce is a treat for just about everyone.

Though every drink comes with a complimentary croqueta at this pocket-size bar frequented by locals, the crisp, gooey orbs are so succulent that you'll want to order a few extra. Be sure to sample the smoky cured beef cecina rendition.