TAST CATALANA Michelin Bib Gourmand With Chef Paco Perez at the helm, Tast Catalana opened in King Street, Manchester in 2018.  Although we are in Manchester quite often to watch football, this evening, Manchester United vs Olympique Lyonnais, this was our first visit here, on this chilly Mancunian spring day. They offer two different dining areas, both stylishly modern: a bar and terrace on the ground floor, and a casual Restaurant on the first floor. After settling in and

I've walked past S-Mari Cocina Bar countless times, thinking it was just another hostal with a bar. I even had breakfast there once, ages ago. But a friend recommended it for dinner, and I decided to give it another shot. To my surprise, it turned out to be a classy and welcoming local Restaurant. It's a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of central San Antonio. Breakfast Bliss Every morning, they offer a fantastic breakfast selection. If you're craving a traditiona

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 ASADOR TXAKOLI SIMÓN After a 15/20 minute walk from the Funicular de Artxanda (funicular railway), you arrive high above Bilbao at Restaurante Asador Txakolli Simón. The Friesian breed of cow is the favourite of Óscar García, the grill master at this restaurant, which stands out for its value for money. On busy days here, eight strips (rib strips) can be dispatched in a single service.  When the sun is shining in Bilbao, you go to Artxanda, the viewpoint of Bilbao

RESTAURANTE CAN PUJOL We returned to Can Pujol in September 2025, after previously visiting during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when all the restrictions were in place. It was great to see everything seemed to be back to normal. Can Pujol started as a small snack bar over thirty years ago and is now a no-frills restaurant serving superb seafood. Pan con alioli We had a few dishes we had not had in previous visits, and started with some zambariñas (scallops) Al

CHIRINGUITO CALA D'EN SERRA UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2025 You will see the sign for Cala d'en Serra on the right, just before you arrive in Portinatx. Follow the road until the tarmac ends and park. You can see the beach below, a small horseshoe bay with satellite coves nearby. The sandy beach boasts clean, clear water and was once named one of  Europe's  best beaches by The Guardian newspaper. Cliffs surround the bay. Beware: the access is steep (not great for young children and

CASA EGEA If you are looking for well-made, traditional Spanish food on the long, winding beach road that runs along Mojácar Playa, Casa Egea is the place to go. The Restaurant is a little setback from the beach and has a glass terrace. Since 1995, you will find authentic Spanish food, lovingly prepared from traditional recipes, at this family-run Restaurant spanning three generations. They serve excellent seafood and fish, along with an ever-changing menu of local speciali

RESTAURANTE ARTEAGA LANDETXEA     Michelin Bib Gourmand During our three-night stay in the Basque Country town of Elorrio, the friendly duo of Niko Moreno and Maider Ugarriza of Hotela M&UGA organised a seven-seater taxi to take us to Restaurante Arteaga Landetxea for lunch. The restaurant was a twenty-minute drive away from Elorrio to Arrasate (Gipuzkoa). It is a restored historic farmhouse in the heart of the stunning Basque Countryside.  Maider Larrañaga and Igor Ezpeleta

SA COVA - DOWNTOWN Sa Cova Downtown, which opened in 2024 on a Sant Antoni (San Antonio) side street, is a Mediterranean-style bistro.  They are the same people from Sa Cova in the old town of Eivissa (Ibiza Town). The restaurant offers a French-Peruvian menu with seasonal products and an elaborate wine list.  The chef, Begoña Aizmendi, offers a concise menu showcasing many of Sa Cova's essentials and a few of her new creations. On a warm evening, we sat outside and opened a

ES ALOCS RESTAURANTE Set at the back of the excellent family beach of Es Figueral in the Northeast of the island, this is an authentic local restaurant, managed and owned by true Ibicencos from nearby Sant Carles de Peralta. A glimpse of what the island was like before the influx of high-end tourists wiped out many of the traditional bars and restaurants.  They serve simple local cuisine; you shouldn't expect too much, but the prices are reasonable. They are open for breakfas