A family-run restaurant deeply rooted in the traditions of Priorat
More than four decades celebrating the flavours of Priorat
In the heart of Falset, El Cairat has been welcoming diners since 1984 with a cuisine shaped by the landscapes and traditions of Priorat. Founded by Mercè Pellejà and Juli Pellejà, the restaurant continues to celebrate Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine through seasonal ingredients, local olive oil and an outstanding selection of wines from the Priorat DOCa and Montsant DO. Today, Mercè Pellejà continues to lead the restaurant while preserving the spirit on which El Cairat was built.
A family story rooted in Priorat
20/06/26
Hidden along one of the quiet streets of Falset, El Cairat has become part of the culinary identity of Priorat.
It first opened in 1984 as a café, where food, conversation and local culture naturally came together around the table.
In 1992, Mercè and Juli Pellejà transformed the space into a restaurant dedicated to Catalan and Mediterranean cooking, always guided by the ingredients and traditions of the surrounding region. Following Juli’s passing, Mercè continued the project with the same philosophy that has defined El Cairat for decades: honest cooking, respect for local producers and a deep connection to the land.
Seasonal cooking inspired by the region
The menu follows the rhythm of the seasons, highlighting local produce, extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables, carefully selected meats and market-fresh fish.
Guests can choose from a weekday lunch menu, a seasonal tasting menu and the restaurant’s distinctive Olive Oil Menu, an experience dedicated to Siurana PDO extra virgin olive oil. The menu includes a tasting of freshly pressed olive oil, olive purée, confit cod with olive oil and artichoke flowers, or grilled beef marinated in local olive oil, finishing with a dessert that pays tribute to one of the defining ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine.
Every dish reflects a straightforward culinary philosophy in which seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes take precedence over unnecessary complexity.
Wine at the heart of the experience
Wine is inseparable from the identity of El Cairat.
The restaurant’s extensive wine list showcases producers from both the Priorat DOCa and the Montsant DO, offering an exceptional overview of one of Spain’s most celebrated wine regions. Bottles from villages such as Gratallops, Porrera, Poboleda, Bellmunt del Priorat, Capçanes and La Vilella Baixa sit alongside carefully chosen labels that reflect the diversity of the region.
🍽️ Together, the cuisine and wine create an authentic expression of Priorat, where landscape, history and gastronomy remain deeply connected.
Bon appétit ☺️ !
Restaurant El Cairat
Carrer Nou, 3
43730 Falset (Tarragona)
Phone: 977 830 481 · 620 928 618
+ info
web >>> restaurantelcairat.com
instagram >>> @elcairat
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