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

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 (

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

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

A Unique Experience in Old Town On our 2025 trip, we visited a bar in Old Town that was a first for us. Bar Kbzon Txiki is a hidden gem that offers a delightful culinary experience. The atmosphere is inviting, and the decor is charming. The bar serves innovative dishes made with familiar ingredients. They seem to use the sous vide method in their excellent cooking, which elevates the flavours. We settled in and ordered a couple of glasses of txakoli, a refreshing, slightly sp

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,

TABERNA LA NIÑA DEL PISTO This is one of our favourite bars/restaurants in the old town of Marbella. You will find it hidden, down a small, narrow pasaje (passageway), but you won’t if you don’t pay attention to where you are going. This authentic Andalusian tapas bar is always busy with locals and tourists alike and is reputedly the oldest tapas bar in the Marbella area. The bar area inside is very traditional, beautifully decorated, with many photos of bullfighting scenes

TABERNA CASA MANTECA Cádiz is one of Western Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. The Phoenicians founded it, and archaeological remains date back 3,100 years. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it became a trading port with the Americas. This famous spot in the Casco Antiguo (the older part of Cádiz), within the remnants of the city walls and commonly referred to as the Old Town, is an old-school restaurant and tapas bar (the name means "house of Lard"!). A few f

BAR SPORT We returned to Bar Sport, which remains somewhat of an insider tip. True to its name, it is particularly popular during sports events, but it offers some beautifully assembled pintxos throughout the week. This authentic bar serves traditional pintxos in a vibrant atmosphere and impresses further with its more than reasonable prices. Popular with locals, it offers a rustic interior and represents a conventional Basque dining experience, perfected by its good selectio

GANDARIAS JATETXEA We returned to Casa Gandarias for our regular fill of pintxo de solomillo and red wine! We had a bottle of El Lagar de Isilla Paraje Peñalobos Tinta del Pais 2018 DOC Ribera del Duero . This was a good match with the solomillo. The famous Basque Gildas. Guindilla pepper, green olive and fresh anchovy - named after Rita Haywood (hot, tall and spicy). During this visit, we also had a sit-down lunch with a group at the restaurant. Something not done before a