The Magia Restaurant, located in the heart of the Old Town at 2 Grodzka Street, is a place where history meets culinary passion. The restaurant is located in a historic building, the walls of which still remember the times of medieval Lublin. According to local stories, the cellars under the restaurant were part of mysterious underground passages connecting the most important buildings of the old city. Today Magia delights not only with its historic interior with original vaulted ceilings, but above all with its menu inspired by Spanish cuisine.

At Magia you should try their showpiece dish - paella with seafood, prepared according to a traditional recipe from the Valencia region. The chef ensures authenticity by importing bomba rice and saffron directly from Spain. Interestingly, each paella is prepared in original pans brought from the Iberian Peninsula, which gives the dish a unique flavor and aroma. The menu is complemented by delicious tapas, among which patatas bravas with a spicy aioli sauce and gambas al ajillo - shrimp fried in oil with garlic and chili peppers - lead the way.

Price-wise, Magia Restaurant ranks in the middle category, offering high quality at reasonable prices. The interior of the establishment is cozy and intimate, with elements of Spanish decor - ceramic azulejos tiles and hand-forged lamps. On summer evenings, guests can enjoy their meals on the charming patio, where the sounds of Spanish guitar often resound.

In contrast to historic Magia, BAFFLO Restaurant at 3a Goose Street represents a modern approach to Spanish cuisine. Located in the business district of the city, in the Inter Office complex, it attracts both employees of the surrounding offices and gourmets seeking a culinary experience. BAFFLO is distinguished by its minimalist, industrial décor with touches of contemporary Spain - large-format photos of Barcelona and Bilbao and designer furniture.

BAFFLO Restaurant is famous for its fusion of traditional Spanish cuisine with modern culinary techniques. Their interpretation of tapas are small works of art - miniature portions served on elegant plates, often with molecular gastronomy elements. Their flagship dish is black squid ink paella, which is not only stunning in taste but also in appearance. Also worth trying is their proprietary sangria with local fruits and herbs, which has won praise even from Spanish guests.

Interestingly, BAFFLO regularly organizes themed evenings dedicated to different regions of Spain, during which you can not only taste regional specialties, but also learn more about the culture and traditions of the area. The chef, who spent several years working in renowned restaurants in San Sebastian and Madrid, is eager to share his experiences and anecdotes from his culinary travels in Spain.

In terms of price, BAFFLO falls into the more expensive category, but the quality and creativity of the dishes fully justify the higher prices. The restaurant also offers a tasting menu, which allows you to take a culinary journey through different regions of Spain in the form of several smaller dishes.

Megustas Bistro, located at 36 Spółdzielczości Pracy Avenue, is a place that uniquely combines the culinary traditions of Spain and Mexico. The name of the establishment is not accidental - 'me gustas' in Spanish means 'you please me', which perfectly reflects the philosophy of the place, which is to delight guests from the first bite. The restaurant is housed in a modern building, but its interior was designed to take guests back to the atmosphere of small, family-run bistros from the streets of Barcelona and Mexico.

Megustas stands out from other restaurants in Lublin primarily because of its attention to the authenticity of its ingredients. The owners regularly import spices and products directly from Spain and Mexico, which guarantees the unique taste of the dishes. The chef, who worked for several years in restaurants on the Costa Brava, brought with him not only skills, but also family recipes passed down from generation to generation.

The Megustas menu includes both classic Spanish tapas and Mexican appetizers, which create a fascinating fusion of flavors. Of particular note is the Andalusian gazpacho - a tomato cooler served with croutons and extra virgin olive oil, and quesadillas with chorizo and manchego cheese. The restaurant is also famous for its excellent main dishes, among which the paella mixta with seafood and chicken and fajitas with Angus beef are leading the way.

An interesting fact is that Megustas is one of the few restaurants in Lublin to offer a special menu for people with food intolerances. There are gluten-free and lactose-free dishes, as well as numerous vegan and vegetarian options. The restaurant's owners emphasize that Spanish and Mexican cuisine, based mainly on fresh vegetables, rice and oil, is perfect for creating dishes for people with special dietary requirements.

Pricing-wise, Megustas ranks in the middle category, offering high quality at affordable prices. The restaurant also hosts regular evenings with live music, featuring traditional flamenco or Mexican mariachi music, adding a cultural element to the dining experience.

In turn, INSOMNIA Restaurant & Catering at 12 Maria Curie-Skłodowska Street is a place of unique character, combining elements of Mediterranean cuisine, including Spanish, with traditional Polish accents. The name 'Insomnia' (insomnia) alludes to the Spanish lifestyle, where dinners begin late in the evening and often last into the night.

The restaurant is housed in a historic building, and its interior impresses with elegant, subdued decor with subtle references to Spanish culture. The walls are adorned with reproductions of works by Picasso and Dali, and the music of Spanish guitarists often echoes in the background.

INSOMNIA is especially famous for its proprietary sangria, prepared according to a traditional recipe with the addition of local fruits and herbs. Among the main courses, the fish soup with seafood, inspired by the Catalan soup suquet de peix, and the pork tenderloin in a sauce of Spanish oranges are particularly noteworthy. The menu is complemented by traditional tapas, among which pimientos de padron (fried green peppers) and albondigas (meatballs in tomato sauce) are the most acclaimed.

It is interesting to note that INSOMNIA is one of the few restaurants in Lublin to offer original Spanish wines, including varieties from the Priorat, Ribera del Duero or Rias Baixas regions, which are little known in Poland. The restaurant's sommelier is eager to advise on the selection of wine for individual dishes, while sharing fascinating stories about Spanish winemaking.

In terms of pricing, INSOMNIA falls into the medium to more expensive category, but the quality of the dishes and service fully justify the prices. The restaurant also offers catering services, specializing in organizing Spanish-style parties, during which guests can enjoy authentic tapas and paella prepared on the spot by the chef.

El Tiempo Restaurant, located at 8 Królowej Bony Street, is a real gem among Lublin establishments offering Spanish cuisine. The name 'El Tiempo' means 'time' in Spanish, which perfectly reflects the philosophy of the place - here time passes more slowly, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in a culinary journey through the Iberian Peninsula. The restaurant is housed in a restored building from the early 20th century, and its interior was designed to replicate the atmosphere of traditional Spanish taverns as closely as possible.

El Tiempo stands out from other restaurants primarily because of its authenticity. The owners, a couple of Spaniards who fell in love with Lublin during their travels in Poland and decided to stay here, take care of every detail - from the interior design, to the selection of ingredients, to the way the food is served. The walls are decorated with original Spanish posters from the 1950s and 1960s, and the furniture was imported from small carpentry workshops in Andalusia.

El Tiempo's menu is a true journey through the regional cuisines of Spain. It features dishes from the north of the country, such as fabada asturiana (white bean and chorizo stew) or pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus), as well as specialties from the south - gazpacho, salmorejo or pescaito frito (Andalusian-style fried fish). Particularly noteworthy is paella, prepared according to a traditional Valencian recipe in special pans imported from Spain. On weekends, the chef also prepares cochinillo asado, a Castilian-style roast pig, which must be ordered several days in advance.

Interestingly, El Tiempo is the only restaurant in Lublin to offer authentic Spanish breakfasts, including churros con chocolate - crispy pastries served with thick hot chocolate, and pan con tomate - toast with grated tomatoes, olive oil and garlic. On weekends, the establishment also hosts Spanish-style brunches, during which you can sample a variety of tapas and pintxos (the Basque version of tapas) accompanied by live Spanish music.

El Tiempo is also famous for its extensive wine list, which includes exclusively Spanish spirits from various wine regions - from the well-known Rioja, through Ribera del Duero, to less popular regions like Bierzo and Toro. The restaurant's sommelier, who regularly visits Spanish vineyards, is eager to share his knowledge and passion, telling fascinating stories related to individual wines and regions.

In terms of price, El Tiempo falls into the more expensive category, but the quality of the products, the authenticity of the dishes and the unique atmosphere fully justify the higher prices. The restaurant also regularly organizes themed events, such as flamenco evenings, Spanish wine tastings and cooking workshops where you can learn how to prepare traditional Spanish dishes.

In summary, the five restaurants described offer a diverse approach to Spanish cuisine - from traditional, authentic dishes at El Tiempo, to modern interpretations at BAFFLO, to fascinating fusions of flavors at Megustas and INSOMNIA. The Magia Restaurant, on the other hand, combines a historic atmosphere with classic Spanish dishes. Each of these places has its own unique character and specialization, so lovers of Spanish cuisine can discover its different facets without leaving the borders of Lublin.

Whether you are looking for authentic flavors straight from the Iberian Peninsula, modern interpretations of classic dishes, or fascinating culinary fusions, in Lublin you will find a restaurant that will satisfy your expectations and take you on a culinary journey through sunny Spain.