KBZÓN TXIKI During our 2025 trip, we discovered a spot we had not been to before: Bar Kbzón Txiki, a small hidden gem in the parte vieja (old town) that offers a delightful culinary experience. The atmosphere is inviting, and the decor is charming. The bar offers innovative dishes crafted from familiar ingredients. They appear to use the sous vide method in their excellent cooking, which enhances the flavours. We settled in and ordered a couple of glasses of txakoli, the refr

BAR SPORT We returned to Bar Sport, once a bit of an insider tip, but it now gets very busy. True to its name, this place is especially popular during sports events, but it also offers beautifully assembled pintxos throughout the week. This authentic bar offers traditional pintxos in a lively atmosphere, all at very reasonable prices. Popular among locals, it features a rustic interior and provides a classic Basque dining experience. The bar is further enhanced by a good sele

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

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

We wanted to explore the charming traditional tapas bars in Estepona’s old town and discover the great prices for a beer and a tapa! These bars play a vital role in preserving the authentic cultural atmosphere, and we must cherish and maintain them for future generations. Our first stop was at BAR LA ESQUINITA Calle de Pozo Pila, 30, 29680 Estepona, Málaga A tiny bar with a warm welcome from Paco, the owner; this is one of the few remaining authentic tapas bars in Estepona. I

If you’re heading to Bilbao, you’re in for a treat. This city isn’t just about the Guggenheim Museum or its stunning riverside views. Nope, Bilbao is a food lover’s paradise. From pintxos bars tucked away in narrow alleys to Michelin-starred restaurants that push culinary boundaries, the dining scene here is vibrant and diverse. I’ve spent quite some time exploring the best dining in Bilbao, and I’m excited to share my discoveries with you. Ready to eat your way through this

BODEGA BAR EL PIMPI We were with Mark Walsh of @walshjewellery in Malaga and popped into this lively bar, located in the historical city centre next to the Alcazaba, which is among Málaga’s most renowned establishments. El Pimpi is featured in virtually every tourist guide imaginable. Even with its popularity as a tourist destination, El Pimpi has preserved the high-quality food that made it renowned. It is reasonably priced. Bodegas Bar El Pimpi is an interesting maze-like

O CURRO DA PARRA Santiago de Compostela, located in Galicia, northwest Spain, is a historic city famous as the final destination of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) pilgrimage. Known for its stunning UNESCO-listed Old Town and Romanesque Cathedral, which houses the tomb of St. James, it is a major spiritual and cultural hub. O Curro da Parra is located in the old part of town in the historic city centre. It is very close to the old market, the Mercado de Abastos de

LA COSMO Michelin Bib Gourmand La Cosma is the younger sibling of Dani Carnero ’ s La Cosmopolita. It has a more modern vibe and setting, but still serves big-flavoured Andalucian cooking without any gimmicks. We enjoyed an excellent early dinner, sitting at the long bar looking into the open kitchen. We started with some excellent bread. Ostras (oysters) La Gilda atún, tomate, piparra y anchoa (a new take on the Gilda, the iconic pintxo inspired by actress Rita Hayworth,