Casa de la Cadena

The Casa de la Cadena is a restaurant in Olite, and its menu changes from season to season, so the setting and the food of the town are the surest guide to a visit. Olite is a small medieval town in the wine country of southern Navarre, dominated by the royal palace of its kings and surrounded by vineyards, orchards and market gardens. For travellers who spend a morning in the palace and the old streets, a long lunch is a natural part of the day, and the town has a number of restaurants occupying old stone houses in the historic centre, some with vaulted cellars and courtyards.

Navarrese cooking is built on the produce of the Ebro valley and the mountains to the north. The valley, called the Ribera, is famous for vegetables: white asparagus, artichokes, cardoons, borage, peppers and tomatoes, many of which are grown in the fertile soil by the river. Piquillo peppers, small and sweet, are roasted and stuffed with cod or meat, and are one of the best-known specialities of the region. Lamb is another staple, often served as chuletillas, small chops cooked over vine cuttings, or as a slow-roasted shoulder. Beans, called pochas, a kind of fresh white bean, are served in a stew in autumn, and the cured sausages and cheeses of the Pyrenean valleys, such as Roncal, are popular.

The wines are part of the experience. Navarra has its own designation of origin, and Olite and the surrounding area are known for red wines made from Tempranillo, Garnacha and other grapes, and especially for rosés, called rosados, which have a long tradition here and are fresh, fruity and dry. Several wine cellars in and around the town offer visits and tastings, among them the Bodegas de Olite, and the Museo del Vino de Navarra, a wine museum, stands in the town, so you can combine lunch with a lesson in local wine.

Because Olite is small and popular with day visitors from Pamplona and the surrounding area, restaurants fill quickly at weekends and during festivals and holidays, and reservations are wise. Prices vary, and many places offer a set lunch menu that is good value. Opening times are often limited, with a break in the afternoon, so check in advance.

The Casa de la Cadena sits within walking distance of the Royal Palace of Olite, the Parador de Olite, the Plaza de la Constitución and the church of Santa María la Real. It suits couples, families and food lovers who want to round off a visit to the palace with a meal of local cooking.