ANTIGUA CASA DE GUARDIA After a visit to the Mercado Central de Atarazanas (Málaga’s local food market, which also has excellent tapas bars), a short walk will take you to the oldest bar in Málaga, founded in 1840. Here, they mainly sell Málaga sweet wine directly from the barrel. It is a typical spit-and-sawdust, old-fashioned drinking bar, and it is great fun. It’s like stepping back in time to one of the few places in Málaga that still maintains its atmosphere. Try the p

HOSTAL MARINO & M HOTEL We returned to Hostal Marino in September 2025, when it was finally joined by its new sister hotel, M Hotel . You can now check in at the new hotel by walking through the bar area of Hostal Marino and the new garden area to the M Hotel check-in desk. The new hotel has a restaurant, fitness centre, bar, and garden area, with access to the bar and restaurant areas at Hostal Marino. It is a place to relax after a long night/day! There is a new swimming p

CASA ELADIO Michelin Plate IIO Casa Eladio was founded in 1965 by Eladio Cabello Serrano. It was managed by José Eladio Cabello Santaella (the founder’s son) for 38 years during Marbella’s golden age. It has a contemporary, maritime-inspired décor that has been given a new lease of life, with José’s son, Carlos Cabello Jimenez (the family’s third-generation), now working in the kitchen. Carlos worked in Northern Spain and Málaga before returning to the family restau

HOSTAL RESTAURANTE CAPRI Located around 100 metres from the seafront in the little tourist village of Es Pujols, this restaurant/hostal is one of the island’s oldest (since 1963) and has always been owned by the same family. If you are looking for 100% fresh fish, seafood, and rice dishes in a non-hectic, calming place with white tablecloths and pressed napkins, a relaxed atmosphere, and trained cooks who know what they are doing, well, you have come to the right place. Capri

RESTAURANTE ELKANO One Michelin Star Getaria is the picture-postcard Basque Country fishing village that produced designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, Plácido Domingo’s mother, and Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first mariner to circumnavigate the globe. Getaria is a fishing port. You can wander down the old streets to the harbour. Walking past various shops selling their wares. There are a couple of lovely beaches in and around the town. Set on a crossroads above the harbour of G

O SOLAR DOS LEITOES This hidden restaurant is situated on the outskirts of Monsanto and offers delicious traditional Portuguese cuisine, including some of the best grilled fish in Lisbon. This family business has been operating for three generations and is situated in a remote, rundown residential area in Buraca. It is not easy to find and is definitely off the tourist track. Even taxis equipped with GPS often have trouble locating it! Don't let this discourage you. You will

BAR PACO BUENO This is a traditional Pintxo bar with a social-club atmosphere, reminiscent of old-school style. It attracts a diverse crowd, including many local families and tourists of all ages. The bar prominently features themes of boxing, rugby, and Basque rowing, with its walls adorned with vintage memorabilia. It is run by owner Paco Bueno (who was a boxer in his younger days ) and his sons. It’s lively, entertaining and has a friendly atmosphere. The specialities incl

RESTAURANTE CASA TORIBIO PERMANENTLY CLOSED 2024 (The restaurant is now a new establishment) This is a very traditional restaurant in the heart of Madrid. In 1980, they opened as a pub called New Street, whose interior was based on a London street. After several years of making their name with Gin-Tonic with lemon peel, champagne cocktails, and Irish coffee, they began acquiring exclusive Rabo de Toro de Lidia (bull meat) from the nearby Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas (the

VENTA SANT JORDI After a fantastic bike ride in and around the mountains near Alcoy , Howard Goldsmith of Alicante Sunshine Villas ends with a revisit for Sunday l unch at Venta Sant Jordi, 4 km short of Alcoy. Venta Sant Jordi (St George) is our favourite; we haven’t been there for a while. So, we looked forward to Sunday and were not disappointed. The location is stunning. For motorbike lovers, it is on a wide corner, where you can watch the bikers take the corner with th

MESÓN TXISTU A Little off the beaten track, this is a very traditional Basque restaurant. With an old-school setting. Once settled in, we had Jamón Iberico de Bellota Almejas marinera (fisherman’s clams) Gambas con huevos revueltos (prawns with scrambled eggs) Calamare fritas (fried squid) You can also try, Tortilla de bacalao (cod omelette) Rape a la plancha (grilled monkfish) Solomillo (sirloin steak) Chuleta de ternera a la parrilla (grilled veal chop) Pierna de cordero (l