It’s that time of year, the San Isidro Tapas Route starts off the tapas trail season. We’ve recently had lunch at La Cerveceria, which we quite enjoyed and we love kicking back at Oasis Lagoon Park too.
San Isidro’s Tapas Route 2025: A Slice of Authentic Spanish Life
There’s something magical about how Spanish towns transform their everyday streets into vibrant festivals of food and music. This March, the charming town of San Isidro is continuing this delicious tradition with their annual Tapas Route, and it’s an event that perfectly encapsulates why I fell in love with life in Spain.
Set for March 1st and 2nd, this year’s San Isidro Tapas route features seven local establishments, each offering their own unique tapa paired with a caña (small beer) for just €3. It’s the kind of value that still amazes me after years in Spain – where else can you get a craft-prepared small plate and beer for less than the price of a London coffee?
A Festive Saturday with Music and Tradition
The festivities kick off on Saturday with what I’ve come to recognize as a quintessentially Spanish touch – a brass band leading a merry procession through the streets. They’ll be accompanied by the local festival queens (a cherished tradition that might seem charmingly old-fashioned to British eyes) and anyone else who wants to join the fun. The procession will wind its way through all participating venues, with the day culminating in a lively afternoon party at the Municipal Tent from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
José María González, the town’s councillor for Fiestas, has revealed that we can expect six savory tapas and one sweet offering, with the band spending about 45 minutes at each venue. While you’re free to chart your own course through the participating establishments, I’d strongly recommend joining the musical procession on Saturday – there’s something incredibly special about being part of these community celebrations that make you feel like a true local, not just an observer.
More Tapas to Discover on Sunday
For those who may not be able to attend or possibly complete the route on Saturday—or simply want to indulge in more tapas—Sunday, March 2, offers another opportunity to visit the seven participating bars at a more relaxed pace.
San Isidro Tapas Route Participating Venues For 2025
The participating venues this year are an intriguing mix. From the traditional ambiance of La Casa Vieja Tea Room to the unique setting of Lagoon Park Oasis, each stop promises its own unique atmosphere. The full lineup for the 2025 San Isidro Tapas Route includes:
- La Cervecería Bar Restaurant
- Pilar Bar
- Crispulo Bar
- La Casa Vieja Tea Room
- Sports Center Canteen
- Lagoon Park Oasis
- Candela’s Café
Here’s an insider tip: make sure you visit at least five of the seven venues. The organizers have arranged special prizes for those who do, and in my experience, these local rewards often turn out to be generous vouchers for future visits to participating establishments – a perfect excuse to return and further explore San Isidro’s culinary scene.
Another tip; Take change with you, so make sure you have plenty 1€ and 2€ coins with you, it helps the bars to ensure they don’t run short on change. Nothing worse than someone spending €3 and offering up a €50 note and they’re the second customer of the day!
What strikes me most about events like this is how they exemplify the Spanish approach to leisure and community. There’s no need to register or buy tickets in advance; just show up and join in. It’s this relaxed, inclusive atmosphere that makes living in Spain such a joy for us expats.
The route is open to everyone in the region, and González has extended a warm welcome to visitors from throughout the Vega Baja area. If you’re anywhere nearby, I’d say it’s well worth the trip – these local food festivals often showcase some of the most authentic and innovative tapas you’ll find, with each establishment putting their best foot forward to impress both locals and visitors.
For newcomers to Spanish tapa routes, here’s a bit of advice: pace yourself, don’t feel pressured to stick to a rigid schedule, and remember that the joy is as much in the socializing as it is in the eating. These events are about savoring not just the food, but the entire experience – the conversations, the laughter, and the sense of community that makes Spanish life so enriching.
The San Isidro Tapas Route is quite small compared to most, it’s one that could can easily do in a single day.
Lagoon Park Oasis is situated just out of the town centre, find them on the map here but do call there, it’s a lovely spot. If you’re coming in from Catral or from the AP7, this is the first place you’ll come to, to it’ll be an ideal starting spot for this 2025 San Isidro Tapas Route weekend.
