You don’t have to travel halfway around the world to reach Middle Earth. In fact, it’s only 300 kilometers from Barcelona: just three hours to discover the restaurant that has turned the world of The Lord of the Rings into an immersive experience, with hobbit huts, trails, and even a waterfall that completes a scene worthy of Tolkien.
It’s called Voltereta Nueva Zelanda, it’s in Zaragoza, and from the entrance, it’s clear that you don’t just come here to eat: the entrance gate marks the beginning of the journey and invites visitors to leave the city behind and enter a space of more than 800m2, organized into different areas.
The result is the feeling of having entered a small hidden village: eating inside a hobbit hut, with water running nearby, vegetation all around, and details that seem to have been taken from the Shire itself.
A fantasy refuge in Zaragoza: the experience of eating inside a hobbit hut at Voltereta.
Trees, caves, and a central lake running through the restaurant create a fantasy setting that is very recognizable to those who enjoy epic imagery. The lighting combines warm light, decorative light bulbs, and indirect lighting points that change the atmosphere between lunch and dinner. Added to this are shelves with books and potions, corridors of light, and other corners designed for viewing (and photographing).
At the table, the menu is based on recognizable recipes, designed for sharing, with nods to different international cuisines. The menu includes croquettes, baos, gyozas, rice dishes, meats, and lighter options, as well as a weekday lunch menu for €16.90 with a starter, main course, and dessert.
The secret plan in Barcelona to complete your journey to Middle Earth
Back home, a Lord of the Rings concert in Barcelona offers a chance to rediscover the trilogy through live music: a string quartet will perform the soundtrack in a setting lit only by candles, to mark the 25th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring.