A few days in Málaga after COVID-19 lockdown easing. After ten plus weeks in lockdown, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the prospect of a...

LA COSMOPOLITA MALAGUEÑA Michelin Plate IIO Permanently Closed The restaurant closed in October 2025 after 15 years of operation. Chef Dani Carnero announced the closure himself, explaining that the project had “completed its cycle” and its era had come to an end. This place is a great little spot just off the calle Granada in the centre of Málaga’s old town. The decor is immaculate, with a traditional twist. You can have tapas at the bar or sit in the main restaura

BARRAFINA One Michelin Star Barrafina moved to a new address in Soho, from Frith Street to 26-27 Dean Street. We thought we would try the new venue on this midweek evening in March. As usual, it was busy, so we had to wait 45 minutes to be seated. Once at the bar, we tried these dishes. Pimientos de Padrón y jamón croquetas. Paletila Ibérica Lenguado en salsa de almendra (sole in almond sauce) Solomillo Rubia Gallega (sirloin steak from Galicia) The food is still delicio

TAPEO & WINE PERMANENTLY CLOSED 2021 This was our first visit to Tapeo & Wine in Deansgate, Manchester, as a precursor to the football at Old Trafford. The restaurant was opened in 2016 in the buzzing heart of Manchester by the Mata family (The owner’s Son, Juan Mata, is currently a Manchester United football player). There is a bright, modern bar and restaurant on the ground floor, looking out onto busy Deansgate. It also has another large restaurant bar downstairs, which

CASA MONTAÑA Michelin Plate IIO A delightful old tapas bar and bodega in the El Canyamelar fishing neighbourhood of València, down by the port area, which has been serving locals since 1836. They have left the interior and structure of that period intact, keeping original barrels behind the bar. Aside from the bar area, there is a restaurant behind it, accessible by ducking under the bar counter. This must be booked in advance, and the menu is slightly more elaborate. F

PERMANENTLY CLOSED IN 2023? As of July 2024, the site has been replaced by a new venue named CHIRINGUITO GITANA. KIOSKO LA FRANJA Jonathon Lipsin writes: This is my favourite swimming spot on the Island, situated on Platja de Migjorn, where I used to live behind the Piratabus. I enjoyed visiting La Franja, this little chiringuito, after my swim. A chiringuito is basically a wooden shack on the beach that sells basic sandwiches, tapas, cold beer, and wine. The people are frien

BAIRRO DO AVILLEZ For our third and final lunch on our short Lisbon trip, we decided on something more modern and trendy after two very traditional restaurants. From the outside, the place looks relatively small, but it is actually two restaurants in one building. The front is the Taberna and delicatessen, which serves small plates and tapas and has a buzzy atmosphere. The rear is the Páteo, which is a full restaurant with modern interpretations of Portuguese cuisine. We at