GASTRONOMY AND LOCAL PRODUCE
THE LAND
Bot is located in the heart of the Terra Alta region, between flat plains and the hilly and rugged landscape around the River Canaletes and with views of the Els Ports mountains in the distance. Locals have for generations worked hard to make the most of these challenging lands and cultivate them with small fields of fruit and vegetables such as lettuce, potatoes, aubergines, courgettes, and peach trees all watered with the cool water from the River Canaletes. In flatter, easier to work, lands there are many almond trees and olive groves with trees over a hundred years old. The olives are usually harvested during the last days of October and early November and are pressed to produce the extra virgin olive oil which bears the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP Terra Alta) quality label. The main kind of olives cultivated and used for oil here are the empeltre ones but arbequines, morrudes and fargues are also used.
LANDSCAPE
Game meat, especially small game, used to form an important part in traditional cooking in this area but nowadays it is much less common. Another key element of the local diet was meat from animals raised at home such as pigs, lambs, rabbits, and fowl. The meat was often cooked with different varieties of wild mushrooms collected from the Els Ports mountains.
Visitors can enjoy not only the views but locally produced goat meat and lamb from the flocks of animals grazing these landscapes. The animals also help to keep the undergrowth down and reduce the risk of forest fires spreading quickly. Meat is often served grilled, barbecued or cooked in breadcrumbs. Leg of lamb and meat stews are highly-recommended dishes to try. Wild goat meat has also become popular again in recent years. And local butchers produce a typical kind of sausage made from meat with onion or rice.
TRADITION
Among traditional local dishes, a special mention goes out to the omelettes in a rich sauce and the clotxa, a typical dish made up of half a round loaf of bread stuffed with herrings or sausage, roasted onions and tomatoes, and a good dash of olive oil. Casquetes, small pumpkin pasties in a crescent shape, are a typical sweet or dessert.
GASTRONOMY
RESTAURACIÓ
BRASERIA LAIA
Style: Grilled and barbecued meat and seasonal produce
Address: Carrer la Bassa, 19. 43785 Bot (Tarragona)
Telephone: 636 116 999
Opening hours: :
Monday to Sunday from 13.00 to 15.00
Short description:
A small and inviting restaurant where you can enjoy excellent meat such as lamb, beef fillet and steak, or Angus and Wagyu beef. Other specialities include pig’s trotters, ears and snout, as well as cold meats, cheeses and cured ham. Traditional desserts and local DO Terra Alta wines.
BAR RESTAURANT CÀMPING TERRA ALTA
Telephone: 652 875 832
Style: Traditional grilled or barbecued meat and seasonal produce
Address: Carretera de Bot a Prat de Compte Km 1. 43785 Bot (Tarragona)
Opening times: Open from March to October
Short description:
Try barbecued meat like locally-raised lamb, and a range of local sausages. The menu also offers the traditional rich and filling leg of lamb as well as a wide variety of cold meats and cheeses. The restaurant is specially rated for its duck breast, pig’s trotters, and paellas. Dishes are cooked and served with excellent extra virgin olive oil and accompanied with DO Terra Alta local wines. The restaurant also offers a good selection of tapas for a snack or appetizer and a choice of sandwiches to take away.
BAR LO CANTÓ
Style: Traditional meals, tapas and sandwiches
Address: Carrer Freixes, 1. 43785 Bot (Tarragona)
Telephone: 695 195 387
Opening times:
Monday from 9.00 to 15.00, and 19.00 to 22.00
Friday from 19.00 to 03.00
Saturday from 12.00 to 15.00 and 19.00 to 03.00
Sunday from 12.00 to 15.00 and 19.00 to 23.00
Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Short description:
In the centre of Bot, this bar is well-known for its traditional dishes such as tripe with pig’s snout and trotters, and snails. They also serve typical food like cod fritters, shrimps in garlic, squid rings, and mussels in sauce, as well as many other tapas and a selection of cold and toasted sandwiches.
BAR PEDRÍS
Style of food: Sandwiches, tapas and simple meals
Address: Carrer la Palla, 6. 43785 Bot (Tarragona)
Telephone: 646 018 523
Opening times:
Mondays, closed
Tuesday to Saturday from 6.30 to 20.30
Sundays from 6.30 to 14.30 and from 17.30 to 23.30
Short description:
Delicious sandwiches and tapas are the stars in this bar: squid rings, grilled cuttlefish, and a wide selection of cold meats with tomato spread bread. The bar offers cold and toasted sandwiches with an outside seating terrace ideal for a slow breakfast or an appetizer and drink in pleasant surroundings.
BAR EL TREN DE BOT - LO SARMENTERO
Style of food: Sandwiches, tapas and simple meals
Address: Old railway station. 43785 Bot (Tarragona)
Telephone: 677 974 330
Opening times:
From Easter until November, open every day 9.00 to 21.00
Short description:
This old railway carriage from the Sarmentero trains which used to run on the Val de Zafán line (now the Via Verda cycling route) has been converted into a bar. It is located beside the old Bot station and the Via Verda. It has a large outdoor seating area. They offer leg of lamb, goat meat in breadcrumbs, and grilled lamb, as well as sandwiches, tapas, selections of cold meats and simple meals with pork and sausage.
BAR EL CLUB
Style of food: Sandwiches, tapas, and simple meals
Address: Avinguda Catalunya s/n. 43785 Bot (Tarragona)
Telephone: 650 856 319
Opening times:
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Short description:
The bar is at the heart of social activity in the town as it is connected to the cinema and the dance hall. A large open bar, ideal for enjoying a simple plated meal, meat skewers and tapas alone or with company. Specialties include octopus, cuttlefish and pig’s ears.
GASTRONOMY
LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS
OLIVES BLAI PERIS
Address: C. Ferreries, s/n. 43785. Bot (Tarragona)
Telephone: 938 997 237 – 977 428 388
Opening times:
Guided tours with pre-booking
Short description:
In 1986 Eduard Peris produced his first jar of black empeltre olives, the traditional variety most commonly grown in Terra Alta. He created his own conservation method to maintain and focus on the flavour and nutritional values of olives without the use of any chemical preservatives. Nowadays the family business produces and sells top quality empeltre and arbequina olives as well as olive pastes, sauces and pâtés.
BADOQUIO BUTCHER’S
Address: Carrer de la Palla, 16. 43785 Bot (Tarragona)
Telephone: Tel. 697 283 759
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday, 9.30 to 13.00
Also open on Friday evenings from 17.00 to 19.00
Short description:
As well as local meat, this traditional family butcher’s produces their own sausages, chorizo, and a traditional meat and rice sausage. They also make and sell cannelloni, hamburgers, meat skewers, and cordon bleu. All made with top-quality local meat.
DONUM DEUS
Address: Carrer Canvis, 1. 43785 Bot (Tarragona)
Telephone: 607 50 33 77 – 977 42 80 22
Opening times: Pre-booked visits
Short description:
A local firm producing and selling gourmet products made from wild goat meat; either pieces of meat (shoulder, shank, loin) or prepared foods such as cold meat, pâtés, stewed goat meat, and mousses. Goat meat is unique in taste and qualities. Healthy and sustainable, it is recommended as it is lean and rich in selenium and omega fatty acids. It is a versatile meat in the kitchen if you have experience cooking with it.
