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 (

This was our second visit to Uvedoble Taberna in Málaga City, conveniently located near the Roman Theatre and below the Alcazaba in Málaga’s historic centre, inviting exploration and a sense of place. Despite its characterless, tourist-café look, this restaurant and bar serves interesting tapas, including several typical Málaga dishes, adding an authentic local touch. The interior is minimalist with a lively bar area. On our first visit, we had eaten elsewhere before coming h

RESTAURANTE SACHA This is not the most straightforward restaurant in Madrid to find, even with GPS, as it is at the rear of where it should be and hidden away in a corner on the right side of the building. Everything looks great, small but cosy, busy and traditional upon entering. It was opened in 1972 by a couple (he was from the Basque Country, she was from Galicia) in this neighbourhood just north of Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium. It is now run by their son, Sac

CHEZ ALBERT Before our summer trip to San Sebastián, we ventured over the border into southwestern France, although still in the Basque Country, to the elegant seaside resort of Biarritz. The town has been a popular resort since European royalty began visiting in the 1800s. It’s also a major surfing destination, with long sandy beaches and surfers. A symbol of Biarritz, the Rocher de la Vierge is a rocky outcrop topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary, accessible via a footbrid

CASA JUAN PEDRO Before our summer trip to San Sebastián, we ventured over the border into southwestern France, although still in the Basque Country, to the elegant and stunning seaside resort of Biarritz. The town has been a popular resort since European royalty began visiting in the 1800s. It’s also a major surfing destination, with long sandy beaches. A symbol of Biarritz, the Rocher de la Vierge is a rocky outcrop topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary, accessible via a foo

MARISQUERÍA FREIDURÍA SALVADOR Y LUCAS We are still in the charming fishing village of Pedregalejo, and this time, we headed to Marisquería Freiduría Salvador y Lucas. This delightful restaurant sits on the road that runs parallel to the paseo and the beach, surrounded by many other eateries. The food is spectacular, a real spectacle. Nothing, absolutely nothing, of what you order will be tasteless or past its best. They  always use the correct frying oil (not always the case

RESTAURANT CAMI DE BALÀFIA If you fancy something big and meaty in the evening (sorry, vegetarians, but this is probably not for you!), drive up restaurant Road, officially known as Carretera San Joan de Labritja (it’s the second to last restaurant on the left, on the stretch of road going to the village of San Joan de Labritja from Eivissa (Ibiza Town). If you count down the kilometres of roadside posts, it is 15.4km. You will find Camí de Balàfia, set back off the main road

RESTAURANTE LA ESCOLLERA La Escollera has been in Puerto de Estepona since 1940. The long-standing harbour-side restaurant, with a large terrace, is one of the best places to enjoy stunning, fresh seafood in Estepona. The restaurant is old school and not fancy. There is an extensive menu featuring freshly caught, local fish, right from the fish market. Fresh fish arrives from the sea in the morning, and you can enjoy it at your table for lunch or dinner within hours. You will

ES GERRET One of the new upscale restaurants in Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio) goes against the town's preconceived image. There is a terrace and a large indoor seating area. We started with tartar de atún (tuna tartar). Calamare panko (deep-fried squid rings coated in panko breadcrumbs). Patatas bravas. Spicy potatoes. Gambas ajillo (sizzling garlic prawns). We had the highly recommended Crema de pistacho (pistachio cream) for dessert. We had a bottle of the very acce

RESTAURANTE PELAYO UPDATE PERM A NENTLY CLOSED 2026 From October 5, 2025 (unless a miracle occurs), the time for another historic site in Formentera will end, and we don’t yet know what will happen in 2026. Thank you for all the parties (including Zucchero Fornaciari’s birthdays and his impromptu concerts), for all the Sunday Paellonas for hundreds of people, and for all the family and workers who ran it and always treated us like friends rather than just customers. Good l