CASA LABRA Casa Labra Madrid dates back to 1860. History was made at this bar on 2 May 1879, when the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Party) was formed. When you walk in, it feels as though you’ve stepped back to 1879, as not much seems to have changed since then! The picture below shows old prices. Current prices (2026) Cod croqueta: €1.70 each Tuna pickled banderilla: €2.25 Tortilla: €6.90 Tajadas de bacalao: €2.30 It is a fantastic traditional bar. It is famous for its croquetas d

LA CASA DEL ABUELO We returned to one of our favourite bars on our recent trip to Madrid. The original tavern opened on Calle Victoria in 1906 as La Alicantina. During the 1920s and ’30s it became famous for its sandwiches, at one point selling more than 1,500 a day. Following the Civil War, when bread became scarce and was remarkably more expensive than prawns, the family began serving prawns instead. They proved so popular that they became the speciality of the house, a tra

LA VENENCIA The fabulous La Venencia Madrid is like stepping back into an Andalusian sherry bar from the 1920s or ’30s. The bar has a fascinating history; many believe anti-Franco supporters met here during the Spanish Civil War. It is doubtful the place has changed much over the years, with its unassuming sign above the door, dusty old sherry bottles behind the bar, and vintage posters on the walls, all giving it great character. This refreshingly unmodernised, quirky old ba

ANYWAY WINE BAR Mark Walsh visited Anyway Wine Bar in Málaga City, founded in 2018 by local entrepreneur David Camino after returning from working abroad to pursue his idea for a wine-centric concept in Málaga. It is a wonderfully cool place for serious wine drinkers, quite near the paseo marítimo. It’s the perfect spot for an early evening drink after work, popular with the city’s creative crowd. With over 200 wines, all served by the glass, the list is quite extraordinary

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 character of the old town, and it’s important that we cherish and support 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

LA JOSEFITA IBIZA La Josefita is a charming little restaurant located in the backstreets of Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio), close to the famous West End, which is currently undergoing a significant transformation from its previous, wilder incarnation. This tapas restaurant, opened in August 2023, pays tribute to Grandma Pepita - Josefa Pepita. The Josefita offers a concise menu of reimagined, familiar tapas. We started with; Berenjena frita (deep-fried aubergine). Tost

SEGOVIA During our visit to Madrid, we stayed one night in Segovia (it is also an easy day trip from Madrid; it’s a short 25-minute ride by high-speed train, but it feels like a world away the minute you arrive). The mountain range seen from the train station is known as La Mujer Muerta (The Dead Woman). From the plains around Segovia, the peaks form the outline of a woman lying down. Her head, torso and feet are clearly visible. The effect is strongest at sunrise or sunset,

MUSEO DEL JAMÓN A few Museo del Jamón tapas bars are scattered around Madrid, and this one at Carrera de San Jerónimo 6 has always been our favourite. They all offer an eclectic mix of traditional Spanish food, centred on ham, bread, beer & wine. This place is a great option for those trying to save money. At the time of our visit, a beer and a ham-and-cheese bocadillo could be had for around €1, which is unbeatable. If you have a bit more to spend, consider trying one of the

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

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