RESTAURANTE CA N’ESMERALDA This restaurant has been operating for several years and is located in a secluded area, away from the main town of Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio Abad). It sits near the end of Cala de Bou, offering views of San Antonio Bay. We popped in for a light lunch (do we really have light lunches?) and tried the following. Pan con aioli. Papas asadas, alioli, hilos de chile y nuestro ingrediente especial (roasted potatoes, aioli, chilli threads, and t

RESTAURANTE LAS GITANILLAS This restaurant, which we have visited several times, is located in a wonderful spot on a pedestrianised street in the heart of Estepona. The family have had a restaurant in Estepona since 1970. In 2004, Paco Bazán, son of Francisco Bazán Hormigo and María Peña Gil, who learned from a young age both behind and in front of the bar alongside his parents, opened Las Gitanillas (which is Spanish for the little gypsy girls). Paco’s daughter, Gema Bazán,

For this visit to San Sebastián for a pintxos bar crawl in June 2026, we concentrated on pintxos rather than sit-down meals. We started our pintxo tour in Parte Vieja (the old town). We always prefer hot pintxos, as they are made to order. The pintxos on the bar are not a problem, but you may eat too much bread! We tend to have no more than two pintxos and a glass of wine or beer per bar, so we don’t get too full too early. The best time to visit pintxo bars is 8.30 — 10.30 p

CHIRINGUITO MANACA To get to Chiringuito Manaca from Mojácar, drive past the Hotel Indalo on the road from Mojácar to Carboneras. Continue straight inland and take a left at the third roundabout onto Playa Macenas. You will see the Castillo de Macenas just before the Macenas golf course extends inland. Drive past Chiringuito Macenas, where you can stop for a drink or some tapas, and continue onto an unpaved dirt road that isn’t in great condition. This road initially runs alo

RESTAURANTE CASA SALVADOR We recently returned to Casa Salvador, the place in València province for rice, and found it just as wonderful as before. The restaurant is situated in the La Albufera rice-growing region of València, near the Cullera estuary, which is a freshwater lagoon that flows into the sea. It can be a bit challenging to locate. Make your way over the bridge in Cullera via the back road (CV-605). Take a right onto Via Pista, then a left at Poligon Num 28 Estany

BAR ANITA - CA N’ANNETA UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2026: The centre of Sant Carles around Bar Anita (Ca n’Anneta) is being pedestrianised, so parking immediately outside the bar is no longer available as before. Through traffic is now directed around the village, with parking available outside the pedestrianised centre. Bar Anita in Sant Carles/San Carlos Located in Sant Carles (San Carlos), a tiny village (near Santa Eulària des Riu), next to the Sant Carles de Peralta church, this o

ILLA DES CANAR Replacing the former Mar Bella on this site, this restaurant opened in July 2024. They serve delicious, typical Ibicencan food in an unbeatable location on the beach, with stunning sea views and prices not generally seen on the island for such quality. There is no fancy beach club atmosphere here, as the new owner is a local Ibicencan. Some of the dishes available include, Ensalada de Costas (typical of Formentera, bread crust and dried fish) Humus y parrilla d

PULPEIRA A LANCHIÑA UPDATE AUGUST 2026: Pulperia A Lanchiña closed permanently in January 2024 following the owners’ retirement, after almost 48 years in business. Pulperia A Nova Lanchiña, nearby, remains open and is shown further down in the article. A lively bar and restaurant specialising in Galicia’s favourite dish, polbo á feira (Galician) or pulpo a la feria (Spanish), which translates to octopus prepared in the style of the fair. This place is always crowded with loca

LA CHISMOSA CHIRINGUITO CALA OLIVERA We returned to Cala Olivera to visit the new beach bar, La Chismosa Chiringuito Cala Olivera, which has replaced the previous Hydrogen beach bar that, unfortunately, we did not particularly like. On first impression, La Chismosa Chiringuito Cala Olivera appears much better. It is situated on a stunning little bay that features white sands and overhanging cliffs, providing much-needed shade during the summer months. The crystal-clear water

THE BOAB TREE We recently visited The Boab Tree Restaurant in Estepona, situated in the heart of the Old Town. The restaurant is family-owned and named after the majestic Boab tree, a symbol of strength, resilience, and community. The owner, Jorge, originally hails from Granada but lived in New York before relocating. He brought his American wife, Anissa, and their daughter, and sold everything to pursue this dream venture in Estepona. The Boab Tree features Mediterranean-i