Three restaurants, three Spanish traditions

As at 1 January 2026, Luxembourg had 10,276 residents of Spanish nationality, according to Statec. A well-established community, whose presence is also reflected in the restaurants, gourmet food shops and social venues that bring Iberian flavours to life across the country.

Because in Spain, eating is never quite just about what’s on your plate. The meal often begins before you sit down to eat and continues long afterwards. People enjoy a vermouth in the sunshine, meet up for a ‘tardeo’, order a few extra tapas to put off going home, and place the large dishes in the centre so that everyone can help themselves.

In Luxembourg, three venues each embody one of these rituals. Casa Duques puts vermouth and aperitifs back in the spotlight in a contemporary setting. Macellum cultivates the spontaneous spirit of ‘tardeo’ centred around Iberian specialities and Spanish wines. In Bertrange, Podenco Bodega reminds us that paella is, above all, a dish for getting together and sharing.

Casa Duques: time for vermouth

Located within the Meliá Luxembourg in Kirchberg, Casa Duques aims to take its guests on a journey to the heart of Spain through cuisine where traditional recipes meet a more contemporary presentation. Croquetas, tortilla, octopus, fried squid, gildas, anchovies, charcuterie and cheeses make up a menu designed with sharing in mind.

Above all, the venue invites guests to rediscover a custom deeply rooted in the Spanish way of life: ‘tomar el vermut’. The expression refers both to the drink itself and to the occasion on which it is enjoyed. Before lunch, usually in the late morning or early afternoon, families and friends gather round a glass of vermouth, accompanied by a few olives, tinned food, anchovies or small appetisers designed to whet the appetite.

It’s not quite time for a meal yet, but it’s certainly more than just a drink. The aperitif has become an occasion in its own right, one that people are happy to enjoy on a terrace as soon as the sun comes out. We chat, we nibble, and we’re happy for lunch to start a little later than planned.

Casa Duques puts a new spin on this ritual with its vermouth bar, a cocktail menu and a terrace overlooking the European Quarter. The venue also offers a happy hour from Monday to Friday, from 5 pm to 9 pm. The warm and sophisticated setting takes the experience a step away from that of a traditional Spanish bar, yet retains the essence: the pleasure of getting together before sitting down to eat.

Address: 1, Park Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg-Kirchberg. Telephone: +352 27 33 31.

Macellum: Spain at ‘tardeo’ time

In Bonnevoie, Macellum sits at the crossroads of several worlds. The venue bills itself as a delicatessen and a Spanish wine bar, but also serves as a dining venue dedicated to Iberian produce and Spanish cuisine.

Cold meats, cheeses, olive oils, tinned foods and a selection of wines make up a pantry where you can pop in to do your shopping or simply linger. The concept is simple: a few quality products, dishes to share and a glass of wine to round it all off.

On Thursdays, the place can take on the feel of a Spanish ‘tardeo’. A portmanteau of ‘tarde’, meaning ‘afternoon’, and ‘tapeo’, the art of eating tapas, the term refers to the custom of heading out in the late afternoon for a drink, a bite to eat and to catch up with friends and family. It’s an alternative to a late night out, but one that can easily go on for longer once the atmosphere gets going.

Tardeo doesn’t necessarily require booking a table or planning a multi-course dinner. It’s often enjoyed standing up, amidst the hustle and bustle and conversation: a drink in one hand, a tapa in the other, with everyone moving between the bar and groups of friends. The dishes arrive gradually, and the aperitif sometimes ends up serving as a meal in its own right.

It is this spontaneity that people come to Macellum to experience. More than just a traditional restaurant, the venue serves as a meeting place for Spanish guests and those with a love of all things Spanish, who come to enjoy the country’s produce, wines and lively atmosphere.

Address: 10 Avenue de la Porte-Neuve, Ville-Haute. Telephone: +352 27 84 74 20.

Podenco, paella as a family meal

Located in Bertrange, Podenco Bodega remains one of the country’s most prominent Spanish restaurants. At the helm, chef Eduardo Ramos creates refined Mediterranean cuisine, blending tradition with high standards. The restaurant has been named ‘Mediterranean Restaurant of the Year 2025’ by Gault&Millau Luxembourg.

Tapas naturally play a major role here. Iberian cured meats, mature cheeses, vegetables, seafood, bluefin tuna and grilled meats can all be combined to create a meal centred entirely around sharing. But Podenco is also renowned for its rice dishes cooked to order: paella marinera, arroz negro or recipes combining rice with seafood.

Originating in the Valencia region, paella has historically been a dish cooked outdoors and enjoyed as a communal meal. In Spain, it remains closely associated with meals shared with family and friends, particularly at the weekend. People take their time preparing it, then place it in the centre of the table so that everyone can help themselves.

In fact, the name refers both to the recipe and to the large, shallow pan in which the rice is cooked. To fully enjoy the experience, there’s no need to transfer the dish to a serving dish. The paella is served at the table in its cooking pan. In some Valencian families, everyone even eats directly with a spoon from the portion placed in front of them, gradually working their way towards the centre.

It is a custom that does, however, involve a few unspoken rules: you respect your neighbour’s portion, you do not stir the whole dish, and you share the most sought-after pieces fairly. More than just a dish, paella thus becomes a small exercise in community life.

Whether in its contemporary dining room or on its terrace, Podenco offers an experience that is a cross between a traditional bodega and a gourmet restaurant. The Spanish wines are the perfect accompaniment to the rice dishes, which here return to their original purpose: bringing diners together around a shared meal and prolonging the meal without keeping an eye on the clock.

Address: 1 Rue de l’Industrie, Bertrange. Telephone: +352 26 68 75 50.

And for a touch of sweetness, Judith Maciá

After vermouth, tardeo and paella, it’s time for dessert. Based in Luxembourg, Judith Maciá has built her culinary world around a signature cheesecake that blends elements of ‘burnt cheesecake’ with Basque cheesecake.

Beneath its deeply caramelised surface lies a rich and particularly creamy centre. The recipe is available in classic, pistachio or Oreo versions, as well as in miniature sizes. Judith Maciá also offers thick, melt-in-the-mouth cookies, known as ‘scoopies’, as well as bespoke birthday cakes.

Her creations follow the rhythm of the seasons and place great emphasis on textures: soft, runny centres, generous fillings and the contrast between crunchy and melt-in-the-mouth textures. A final gourmet stop that brings the Spanish journey to a decidedly sweet conclusion.

Orders are placed online and can be collected from Vida Sushi in Kirchberg, Wednesday to Saturday from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm and on Saturdays from 9.30 am to 11.30 am.

Orders:. Collection from Vida Sushi, Luxembourg-Kirchberg.