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

BODEGA BAR EL PIMPI We were with Mark Walsh of @walshjewellery in Malaga and popped into this lively bar, located in the historical city centre next to the Alcazaba, which is among Málaga’s most renowned establishments. El Pimpi is featured in virtually every tourist guide imaginable. Even with its popularity as a tourist destination, El Pimpi has preserved the high-quality food that made it renowned. It is reasonably priced. Bodegas Bar El Pimpi is an interesting maze-like

CASA JULIAN In 2025, we revisited this remarkable, easily overlooked little restaurant, now famous on TV, located in the Basque countryside town of Tolosa, which is 28 km inland from San Sebastián. Tolosa is a town and municipality in the  Basque  province of  Gipuzkoa,  northern  Spain . It is situated in the valley of the Oria River, with Casa Julian directly across from it. When you arrive at the restaurant and step inside, you might initially feel like you’re in the wrong

EL BIGOTES The Fish Shack at Cala Mastella or El Bigotes (The Moustache, this refers to the proprietor’s whiskers!) El Bigotes will be remembered for sitting at his table every lunchtime whilst devouring a flagon of his favourite red wine. Unfortunately, At nearly 100 he passed away in 2025. It was a massive funeral on the island, with everyone paying their respects. RIP El Bigotes and thank you for your massive contribution to ibicencan gastronomy. There are two sittings: no

BAR ANITA - CA N’ANNETA Bar Anita in Sant Carles/San Carlos Located in Sant Carles (San Carlos), a tiny village (near Santa Eulària des Riu), next to the Sant Carles de Peralta church, this old bar and restaurant is one of the most famous and beloved in Ibiza. It became a must for bohemians and intellectuals in rural Ibiza. For many, it is one of the few remnants of the bygone hippy era, probably even the last. This place invites you to spend a relaxing afternoon over coffee

CASA PUGA There is no more classic bar in all of Almería than this one. It is an old-style bar known for traditional Andalusian tapas steeped in history. It dates back to 1870, undoubtedly one of the oldest in Almería. Overloaded with ancient wine bottles on dusty shelves, tiled walls, a marble bar, an exposed iron grill, and hanging Jamónes, these are key parts of the decoration, as are the several non-stop waiters. All the tapas are excellent but straightforward. Try, Ques

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

RESTAURANTE VICTOR MONTES After a long day and with many places closed on Sunday, we decided to stay close to the hotel and have dinner at Víctor Montes in Plaza Nueva. This famous local landmark is nicely rowdy downstairs at peak times. Locals and a few tourists prop up the bar, chat loudly, and snack on pintxos like the txangurro (spider crab in puff pastry) while downing a glass of wine or a caña. The vaulted wine cellar holds Rioja vintages dating back over a century, al

RESTAURANTE PELAYO UPDATE MARCH 2026 PERMANENTLY CLOSED 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. Go

SEGOVIA - MESÓN DE JOSÉ MARÍA Michelin plate IIO If you are looking for a traditional Spanish food experience, then Mesón De José Maria, a conventional Castilian Tavern off of Plaza Mayor, is the place for you. It as been here since 1982. Walk into the busy bar, and you will find it filled with a mix of locals, from those taking a break at the end of the day to families who wheel their baby prams into the bar to catch up with friends and family to enjoy a drink or tapa. Thi