RESTAURANTE CA’S PAGES This is one of the most historic restaurants in northern Ibiza. It is run by two sisters, Carmen and Lucia, whose family started offering their traditional Ibiçencan cooking in 1972. It is situated in the basement of the family home and in the shaded, planted garden at the back. The beautiful partially covered outdoor seating area is filled with greenery and bathed in soft lighting. Arrive early to have a wider choice of seating. You will find large, lo

RESTAURANT CALA d’HORT (CA NA VERGERA) This mythical restaurant is also known as Ca na Vergera (the nickname of the family that continues to own and work here). It is one of the last authentic places left in Ibiza’s south. In the late sixties, Joan Vergera acquired the restaurant's land and built a small hut where his wife could work. Joan went fishing with his llaüt, a small Ibicencan fishing boat named “Adolfo.” When he returned, his wife, Maria, prepared a meal with the ca

CASA BIGOTE Michelin Bib Gourmand It was in 1951 when a local sailor, Fernando Hermoso, opened a despacho de Vinos selling manzanilla to fishermen. Fernando grew an Errol Flynn-style moustache, and his friends started calling him “El Bigote”. Manzanilla, a salty, extremely dry sherry (the salt comes from the local bodegas’ proximity to the sea air), originates from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and you will still find it on almost every table. In 1970, Fernando Jr. took over t

RESTAURANTE CAN RAFALET After a few years away, we returned to Restaurante Can Rafalet, in Es Caló de Sant Agustí, on the Island of Formentera, which boasts some of the most stunning views in the Balearic Islands. The sea is at its fabulous best here, and from our reserved front table, we could see it in all its stunning turquoise glory. When you sit down, you receive a delicious bowl of aioli (rich with garlic) and olives, along with a basket of crusty rolls to scoop up the

LA BODEGA DEL CANTINERO Mark Walsh returned to another of his favourite spots in San Pedro de Alcántara, just outside the famous resort of Marbella. La Bodega del Cantinero, often known as “Casa Alberto,” is a modern restaurant with a family-run structure, Alberto manages the front of house and hosts guests, while his wife handles the kitchen. This owner-chef partnership is typical of newer Spanish “personal” restaurants, which contrast with traditional taverns. La Bodega de

CASA LOLA We were with Mark Walsh of @walshjewellery , looking for a few tapas in Malaga, so we stopped by the buzzy Casa Lola for lunch. Located in the centre of Málaga, Casa Lola is a popular bar favoured by locals. It offers a wide selection of tapas at very reasonable prices, along with a daily special that provides excellent value for those on a tight budget. You can choose a few pinchos and tapas to enjoy at the bar with a drink or take a seat at a table. We had a pin

RESTAURANTE CA N’ESMERALDA This restaurant has been in operation for a few years. It is situated in a secluded location, hidden away from the main town area of Sant Antoni de Portmany (San Antonio Abad), near the end of Cala de Bou, overlooking 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, an

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 (

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