This Toledo institution is housed in a beautifully renovated 14th-century house, serving the best locally inspired gourmet food in town, accompanied by an international-award winning wine list and just-so service. Order one of the game dishes or bull's tail. Book ahead.

A mix of modern and traditional, Alfileritos is one of the most adventurous restaurants in otherwise quite conservative Toledo. It's laid out over four floors, with a tavern on the ground floor. Diners peer down from tables lined along galleries overlooking the central atrium, and colourfully lit panels clash with old pillars and woodwork. Try the pica-pica menu, which includes red tuna tartare, blue cheese-filled croquettes and duck spring rolls, and follow it up with a decadent chunk of venison – which the waiter proudly informs you has been hunted fresh.

One of the most historic restaurants in a city that's hardly short on history, Venta de Aires is the choice for those who like things traditional. Dating back to 1891, the restaurant just celebrated its 125th birthday; the interior is all timber beams and wooden furniture, while the food is exquisite. Be sure to try the house recipe of perdiz estofado, or partridge stew.

Occupying a beautifully converted 16th-century palace and making the most of exposed brick and vaulting, this atmospheric restaurant successfully combines the functions of tapas bar, café and restaurant, serving both traditional and new dishes and offering a great value menu del día (menu of the day).

A beautiful restaurant with a hacienda style setting, La Fabrica de Harinas offers local favourites such as suckling pig. Based out of the Sercotel San Juan de los Reyes hotel, you'd be wise to set aside a whole afternoon here working your way through the many courses and enjoying the idyllic outdoor terrace.

Enjoy innovative and creative dishes based on traditional recipes in a beautifully modern-minimalist decorated 17th-century house. Expect wooden galleries and colour-washed walls with original modern artworks. A tasting menu is available along with a la carte, and the wine list is superb.

For an alternative to Spanish cuisine, try Alqahira. Decorated and furnished in Moorish style, the restaurant seeks to recapture Spain's Arab past, while the cuisine is a mix of Middle Eastern influences, with plenty of vegetarian options on the menu (not so common in Toledo). The desserts, particularly baklava, come highly recommended.

This friendly place, rated by many as the best tapas bar in Toledo, continues the age-old custom of a free tapas with each drink and serves up a very tasty carcamusa (local speciality spicy stew of meat and tomatoes). In fact, legend has it that the dish was invented by Ludeña's old owner many moons ago – the always-packed restaurant dates back decades.

If you like tavern vibes and no-nonsense cuisine, chances are you'll love Gambrinus. Set in a relatively large, bustling space with wooden tables and exposed brickwork, the service is quick and the food is good – traditional Spanish for the most part with a few Toledano specialities. Try the Carcamusa, a stew of pork, peas and peppers cooked in wine and served in a traditional clay dish.