ES PINS When heading north of the Island on the famous restaurant Road towards Sant Joan de Labritja, you will find this old-school, traditional roadside restaurant, Es Pins. There is plenty of parking outside the restaurant, which serves mainly Ibicencan staples such as roast lamb, pork chops, rabbit, pan-fried halibut, paella, and arroz de Matanzas (a traditional Ibicencan dish usually made in winter after the pig slaughter using pork, chorizo sausages, rice, and spices su

ASADOR LA CASTILLERÍA To reach this meat mecca, just outside the pretty Andalusian hill-top village of Vejer de la Frontera, you must go up an extremely small road, but it is well worth the effort. You will find it is an idyllic setting amongst the trees, which ensures it is coolish on warm nights. Juan Valdés and Ani Melero run the restaurant. The restaurant is a selector, ager, ripener and steakhouse all in one. There are only a few of these around, and here they have their

CAPOTE Y TOROS HAM & SHERRY BAR We returned to the little offspring of Cambio de Tercio, where you will find this lively little tapas bar specialising in sherry and Jamón and serving other delicious tapas. From the small menu, you can try: The wonderful 5J Cinco Jotas Jabugo Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. The patatas bravas here are served in all three of their restaurants and tapas bars. Tiny new potatoes are topped with a smooth tomato bravas sauce and a luscious dollop of spi

IBAI LONDON As we had previously been to the famous Ibai (click here to view) restaurant in San Sebastián (the original, run by Alicio Garro and his wife , not the current one Michelin-starred run by Paulo Airaudo ). We thought it was time to try the much-talked-about ibai in London. This is a place to worship steak in Basque-style indulgence in London. It is an authentic taste of the Basque Country, right in the heart of London, set in an old industrial warehouse, where t

We often visit the Parque Natural del Cabo de Gata-Níjar in the province of Almería (Andalucía’s most significant protected coastal area, with a wild, isolated landscape and a hot desert climate). This time, we went to Agua Amarga, which borders spectacular, barren spaghetti western territory. This low-key village packs in cool bars, restaurants, locals, and fishermen. Beside a headland of troglodyte caves at the southern end of the beach. Most of the tourists here are Spanis

SAN CARLOS BAR RESTAURANTE During our mid-March trip to Ibiza, we ventured up to the northeast of the Island and popped into Bar Ca n'Anneta, where I purchased a bottle of their famous homemade Herbes de Ca n'Anneta. The bar was pretty full for March. We then had a short drive to our first visit to San Carlos Bar Restaurante. This Uruguayan-style meat Restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for groups and couples. It serves the finest cuts of grilled Uruguayan Angus meat,

Discovering Authentic Ibicencan Cuisine CAFETERÍA CA’N JORDI - LAS PUERTAS DE CIELO If you plan to visit, you’ll need a car or a bicycle. From Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio), drive towards Santa Agnés de Corona. At the T-junction near Cafeteria Ca’n Cosmi, famous for its tortilla (Spanish omelette), turn left. Once you leave the village, there are no signs, but the drive is straightforward. The views of the almond blossoms in February are breathtaking! Continue for abo

RESTAURANTE SA SOCA On the way to Sant Agustí from Sant Antoni, you will find this traditional, rustic, charming restaurant. Although it does not look exceptional from the outside, it would be easy to drive past. The entrance has a small bar area, with simple wooden chairs and tables, and small dining rooms with a fireplace. Once inside, you will find its large, vine-covered inner terrace, overgrown with plants, and a quiet countryside landscape twinkling in the background. T

BODEGUITA 1999 This was our second visit to this restaurant, just off the seafront in Alicante City. They specialise in anchovies and different cuts of steak. Chuletón, entrecot, solomillo, and many more, so make your choice. Antxoas del Cantabrico (anchovies from Cantabria). Txuleton en la mesa with fries and piquillo peppers. Pimientos del piquillo confitados. Txuleton a la plancha on the second visit. With a tremendous fresh salad. Also available are staples like Croquetas

JOSÉ TAPAS & SHERRY BAR Situated on a corner of the now-trendy Bermondsey Street, this cosy little tapas bar serves excellent, authentic tapas. Opened by José Pizarro with his eponymous restaurant, Pizarro, further up Bermondsey Street on the same side of the road. José is a buzzing spot for an atmospheric lunch or dinner. This is not a sit-down restaurant but a Spanish bar where you go to have a drink and some tapas, standing or sitting on stools around a barrel for a tabl