Delve in the real traditional Spanish cuisine and discover the culinary richness of the country. Niajo offers fresh and tasty recipes cooked with high-quality ingredients.

For those with a discerning palate, a large assortment of tapas and cold cuts such as 5J Iberian Ham are available while delighting in a beautiful viewing of Sanlitun Bar Street through the trees. Complete an unforgettable gastronomic experience with some of the finest Spanish wines and cavas.

Paella Paradise

Alex, Niajo’s gregarious owner, takes paella very seriously. While he can talk at length about the origins of this Spanish rice dish and the best places to eat it in Valencia, his hometown and the birthplace of paella, it’s hard to see what all the fuss is about until you taste some yourself. The paella del siñoret (¥190 serves two) combines king prawns, shrimp, cuttlefish, scallops and monkfish with saffron rice. The rice, made traditionally, is slightly dry, but perfect when you add aioli sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon.

While paella might be the star of the show here, there are plenty of other appealing options. Gourmands with cash to burn can try the Iberico ham (¥290), an imported Spanish delicacy that’s just taking off in China. The ensalada Valencia (¥35) combines mixed greens and red onion with imported oranges and a simple vinaigrette—not a particularly complex dish, but very fresh and tasty. The New Zealand lamb chops (¥120) were served medium rare to preserve the flavors of the high-quality meat and adorned with delicious sautéed potatoes. The braised cod fish (¥110) was extremely tender and lightly flavored with a parsley and white wine sauce.

Apart from above-average food, Niajo also has a state-of-the-art ventilation system, which meant we stayed toasty while sitting by the window on a very cold evening. We were also quite impressed by the service—our English-speaking waiter was extremely polite and able to make knowledgeable suggestions about the food.

Sienna Parulis-Cook