Marbella isn’t the easiest place for a traditional tapas bar crawl, as many bars are spread out. However, we were pleasantly surprised by what we found during an evening stroll in mid-January as we looked for the best tapas bars in Marbella. Marbella’s layout is rather unusual, with its bars and restaurants spread across different areas rather than concentrated in one place. This means a tapas crawl can involve a fair amount of walking. There's plenty of variety, from traditi

A DAY TRIP FROM SEVILLA TO CARMONA Carmona stands on the Los Alcores ridge, overlooking the vast, fertile plains of the Vega del Corbones in Andalucía. The surrounding countryside is dominated by olive groves and fields of cereals, which have long played an important role in the local economy. The city also has a tradition of livestock farming and holds its annual fair, the Feria de Carmona, in May. Carmona is one of the most historic towns in southern Spain, with a history s

ANTIGUA CASA DE GUARDIA After visiting the Mercado Central de Atarazanas, Málaga’s famous food market, you’re only a short walk from Antigua Casa de Guardia, the city’s oldest wine bar and one of its most atmospheric drinking establishments. This famous local bar was founded in 1840 by José de la Guardia, the business originally operated in Calle Ollerías before moving to its present location on Alameda Principal in 1899. Today, this historic bodega remains wonderfully old-fa

DIS TINTO TABERNA MADRID WINE & TAPAS We visited DisTinto Taberna Madrid Wine & Bar with Mark Walsh of Walsh Jewery. The restaurant bar opened in 2018 in Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras, just a few steps from Plaza de Jesús. Unlike some of its historic neighbours, this relatively modern establishment retains much of the atmosphere of a traditional Spanish tavern. Founded by four cousins with extensive hospitality and wine experience, DisTinto quickly built a reputation for its

MADRID TAPAS BARS IN THE CALLE DE JESÚS AREA Just a short walk from the Prado Museum, Calle de Jesús and the surrounding streets are home to some of Madrid’s most traditional tapas bars. From lively neighbourhood taverns to historic establishments serving excellent wines, croquetas, seafood, and conservas, this area is a wonderful place to explore Madrid’s authentic tapas culture. CERVANTES Plaza de Jesús 7, 28012 Madrid +34 914 29 60 93 We did not eat here this time, but it

CASA TONI Casa Toni is a traditional Madrid tapas bar situated at Calle de la Cruz 14, between Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Santa Ana. Established in the 1960s, this family-style tavern has retained the character of an old-fashioned Madrid bar, serving generous portions of traditional Spanish food without unnecessary frills. At first glance, it doesn’t look like much. However, give it a try. The food is excellent for the price, and there are always plenty of locals, which is u

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

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

BARDO We went to Bardo in Estepona, which is a restaurant with a tapas bar on the corner. It is located a 5-10-minute walk up the hill near the church from Casa del Rey. We settled in at the tapas bar, where main courses from the restaurant are also available. They have a good cocktail menu, and to start, we chose a Hugo spritz (cava, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, sparkling water, and mint), some Ribera del Duero red wine, and a few beers. Everything was shared and set in

When you think of Spain, you might picture sun-soaked plazas, lively flamenco music, and the enticing aromas of authentic Spanish cuisine. If you’re planning a trip and want to immerse yourself in the rich flavours of Madrid, you’re in for a delightful experience. Today, I invite you to embark on a culinary journey to explore the unique charm of one of Madrid’s treasures. Casa Toni Madrid is a small, unassuming bar and restaurant that may not look like much at first. However,