El Kabron

The age old adage goes that the rain in Spain falls mainly on the planes flying into the country’s holiday hotspots direct from Manchester Airport. We just can’t get enough of the place, whether it’s house music in Ibiza or flamenco in Seville, the history of Grenada or the mayhem of Madrid. But the feeling is definitely mutual — from the dedicated film festival, established in 1995 and the Instituto Cervantes cultural centre that spearheaded it, to the myriad high quality tapas spots dotted around the city: “España ama Mánchester.” 

Situated in one of the prettiest corners of town, a stone’s throw from the Town Hall, spitting distance to The Midland Hotel, Central Library and (former) Free Trade Hall, El Kabron opened its doors in September 2024 but has heritage stretching back much further than that. Older sister La Bandera had been serving up small plates with an eye on the Iberian peninsula for more than a decade by the time this venture opened. And that says a lot about what they do at both spots. Firm favourites with locals, the newer of the two makes no secret about wanting to do things differently. And, yes, we know that’s a Manc cliche. 

Digressions aside, El Kabron pays homage to Basque Country, in Spain’s far north. This tribute is most evident in the food itself, which leans heavily into pintxos (pronounced pin-chos) — tiny but tasty morsels of meat, cheese, olives and more, served on toothpick-skewers. Here, this bar snack staple has been elevated, so think beef cheeks and tortilla de patata, and you’re in the right direction. Of course, larger portions are also available via traditional tapas, Express Lunch offers, and set menus for two. Drinks are every bit the measure of the food, and these are best experienced together through one of Manchester’s most unique bottomless brunches – weekends only.