Where to Eat & Drink in Cadiz: Top 10 Definitive Guide

The oldest city in Western Europe, Cadiz juts into the Atlantic Ocean on a narrow strip of the Costa de la Luz, the ‘Coast of Light’ just outside the Sherry Triangle in southern Spain. This exposure to sea, sunlight, Sherry and distinct lack of space leaves the ancient port sun-bleached, warm, and largely preserved since the 16th century.

The skyline is dominated only by Cadiz’s historic viewing towers, the most infamous of which is the Torre Tavira, which offers a unique tour of the city from above. Despite industrial decline, at street level the city is experiencing a gastronomic resurgence and remains a stronghold for showcasing the region’s best food and drink, Manzanilla Sherry, fried fish, and tapas in its many forms.

1 – For romantics: Sitting in Cafe Royalty is an unmissable experience of dining in gold-leafed opulence. Their picatostes (fried bread dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon) are the perfect accompaniment to a cortado (strong coffee cut with a splash of milk). The story of the room’s history and restoration is remarkable and it remains the last Grand Romantic cafe in Spain. Great G & T stop too. Plaza Candelaria.  Sat 9am-12am, Sun 9-11.30pm, Mon – Fri 9.30am – 11.30pm 

2 – For fresh and fried fish: On market days visit the oldest covered market in Europe, Central Mercado Abastos, for sights of freshly caught sea creatures before sampling oysters at any of the surrounding stalls. Opposite the market Bar Merodio is supposedly the place for a racion of ortiguillas (deep fried sea anemones), and off the central plaza is Freiduria las Flores, the place for fried fish served casually in a cone of parchment.  Plaza Topete, 4, 11001. 9am – 12am daily.  Also worth noting is Bar el Carrusel. If you find some fabulous fish and seafood at the market, take it here and they will cook it for you. 5€ per person + cost of drinks and sides Cl/Libertad 12-20 

3 – Morning or early afternoon is a good time to visit El Chicuco Delicatessen, a treasure trove of local produce. €100 legs of jamon de bellota lined up like can-can girls, shelves stacked with vintage-branded tins of Almadraba tuna from nearby Barbate, and floor to ceiling bottles of local wine and Sherry, all of which can be sampled at their bar before you leave with a goodie bag. Plaza de San Juan de Dios, 16. Mon – Weds 10-4pm reopens 6.30-9.30pm, Thurs – Sat close at midnight. Closed Sunday.

4 – For the best Sherry: Really, your first glass of cold, salty Manzanilla should be taken at La Taberna la Manzanilla. It’s been in Pedro’s family for generations and he is a fabulous host. Each copa is swerved with a couple of juicy olives. His Vermut is also fabulous.  It’s a great place for pre lunch or dinner copas. Calle Feduchy, 19, 

5 – Modern tapas: Stripped back, modern tapas restaurant Arrebol is where the equally fabulous Ultramar y Nos used to be. The cuisine is just as good and an excellent selection of local wines  Plaza de Mina, 1.  12.00pm-4pm, 8.30pm-11.30pm every day

6 – Classic tapas: A short walk from Arrebol is a Cadiz institution, Meson Cumbres Mayores. This restaurant thrums with life throughout the day and night, its patrons young and old, local and foreign. They come for the quality of the menu and stay longer than a normal tapas pit-stop for the atmosphere. Recommended dishes are riñones  (kidneys), carrillada (cheeks), rabo de toro (oxtail) or a plate of top quality jamon and caña of beer. Calle Zorrilla, 4. Daily 12.30-4.30pm, then 8pm-11.50pm.

 

7 – Traditional fare: Another institution is seafood restaurant El Faro, with options of white tablecloth dining in the restaurant for a menu del dia, or standing at the bar for tapas of tortillitas de camarones, pulpo, ortiguillas, and patats aliñadas. one of my favourite tapas dishes is judiones con ahumados (big white beans with smoked fish) The bar always gets my vote! Calle San Félix, 15, 11002. Daily 1pm–4.30pm, 8.30pm–12am.

8 – Casa Manteca: This shrine to the bullfighter in the family that owns the bar is loved by tourists and locals alike. It has a lively atmosphere and classic tapas menu for a light plate at the bar.  Try the tomatoes with ventresca(tuna belly) and chicharrones (pork belly). Calle Corralón de los Carros, 66. Daily 12–4pm, 8.30pm–12.30am.

9 – Tapas crawl: Sherry barrels stand upright as tables outside La Sorpresa, a charmingly retro tapas taberna down a narrow side street near the Catedral. Small bites such as a Gilda are perfectly accompanied by a dry Manzanilla. Calle Arbolí, 4, 11005. 11.30am–4.30pm, 8pm–11.30pm closed Mondays.

10 – For a sundown vista: La Quilla provides an unbeatable setting. At the sunset end of the La Caleta promenade, its boat hull shape provides the backdrop for a pulpo tosta and balloon glass Gin and Tonic. Antonio Burgos, Bar Quilla., Playa de la Caleta, 11002. Daily 11am – 2am.

 

11- For a modern twist on traditional dishes – Almanaque is the new comer to Cadiz and continually serves spectacular food. Also a wonderful wine & Sherry list. Booking essential   Plaza España 5 Tel.956808663

Honourable Mentions

– Bar Terraza: On one side of Plaza de la Catedral – for a plate of gambas a la plancha for lunch followed by a palate cleansing ice cream from Narigoni Gelato.

– Bar Club Caleta: Underneath the promenade and facing Playa de La Caleta – for a sunset plate of grilled prawns washed down with a tinto de verano.

– Balandro: An unassuming restaurant near Parque Genoves and Flamenco bar La Cava. Watch plates of ortiguillas and their pinchos de langostinos pass by you and follow suit.

Early morning or Siesta time (4.30pm – 7.30pm) would be a good time to –

– Visit the Museo de Cadiz (Plaza de Mina, s/n, 11004. 9am – 3.30pm, closed Mondays)

– Walk Paseo Fernando Quinones, the narrow walkway that links Cadiz to Castillo de San Sebastian either first thing in the morning or at low tide.

– Visit Torre Tavira for the best view of the city. (Calle Marqués del Real Tesoro, 10, 11001. Daily 10am – 6pm)

Want to explore the best eating and drink that this fabulous city has to offer? Come along on one of my Cadiz gourmet tours.