ANDALUCÍA - CÁDIZ CITY - TABERNA LA SORPRESA, CÁDIZ

3 days ago

2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

TABERNA LA SORPRESA

On a short trip to Cádiz, we stopped at Taberna La Sorpresa for a few tapas and glasses of local sherry. It is an underrated hidden gem, especially when you have had enough fried fish and want fresh, carefully sourced seafood in a genuinely traditional setting.

Founded in 1956 as a traditional wine shop, Taberna La Sorpresa is one of Cádiz’s surviving old-style tabernas. Pepe Terrero ran it from 1959 until his retirement in 2012, preserving its high bar, wine casks and unhurried local character. It reopened in 2013 under Juan Carlos Borrell and María José Muñoz, who retained its soul while introducing excellent tapas based on Cádiz’s great seafood traditions — especially almadraba tuna, cured fish and conserves.

We started with a couple of copas of manzanilla, followed by sardinas marinadas — two boneless sardine loins.

Gildas — Un pintxo clásico de guindilla verde, anchoa y aceituna, ensartadas en un palillo.

A small green chilli pepper, a boneless anchovy and olives, all skewered together.

Bacoreta de almadraba en aceite, also known as sarda — this excellent fillet of small tuna is cured in olive oil and typically served on toast.

Atún mechado y lomo de orza.

Slow-cooked tuna loin, served at room temperature, alongside pork tenderloin medallions topped with thinly sliced Jamón Ibérico.

If available, do not miss the house-smoked salmon, tuna tartare, or sashimi. They also serve a lovely, simple plate of ripe tomatoes swimming in local olive oil, alongside an excellent selection of sherry by the glass.

We also enjoyed two red wines: Viña Mariposa Tinto and Bodegas El Inicio’s Rivendel Crianza.

The menu is not extensive, which is usually a good sign that everything is fresh and you can try almost everything.

The staff at Taberna La Sorpresa, Cádiz, are great fun, and the whole place has a convivial atmosphere. The dining room is small, so be sure to book in advance.