Bar Ludeña claims to have invented carcamusas — Toledo's signature stew of pork, tomatoes, and peas — and whether or not the claim is strictly true, this is still the best place in town to eat it. The restaurant occupies a corner of Plaza de la Magdalena, a small square a few minutes' walk from the Cathedral, with tables spilling out onto the stone.
The menu is a roll-call of Toledo classics: perdiz a la toledana, venado en salsa, carcamusas, and a good selection of Castilian soups. It is unpretentious and inexpensive. The set lunch menu is particularly good value for the quality. The bar fills with a mix of tourists who have done their research and locals who keep coming back.
Order the carcamusas as a starter and the partridge as a main, and you've had the essential Toledo meal.