Meson El Picoteo	Madragora	Villanueva	El Pozuelo
El Ancla	La Pizzeria	La Olla

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--- Spanish Tarifa restaurants ---

Meson El Picoteo - Tel.956 681128

Calle Mariano Vineusa - To find this restaurant, go to the bottom of the Alameda (the harbour entrance is in front of you) and turn right - the restaurant is in the street one back from the one running alongside the harbour.

I am often asked for a ‘Spanish Restaurant’ (so many restaurants in Tarifa are owned/managed by expatriates!). El Picoteo is run by members of an extended local family, both in the kitchen and behind the bar. Very friendly, fast service, good, honest food, excellent quality-price relationship. Try their stuffed red peppers as an entrée. I particularly like this restaurant at lunchtime, and tend to get there around 13.30 to be sure of a table, as this is early for the locals who frequent this restaurant daily but eat around 14.00 to 15.00 hrs. You can also book: tel. 956 681128

--- Spanish Tarifa restaurants---

MANDRAGORA : They take no bookings

Hidden away behind the Church in Tarifa centre, this is a highly popular little restaurant so, as they don’t take reservations, it’s best to get there early….being around 20.30 hrs. in Spain!

It is nice to find a really good and different restaurant run by a truly Spanish partnership: Gloria is a genuine Tarifeña, and Manolo comes from the North of Spain.

The restaurant has recently been extended and there is a super, unexpectedly large, high-tech kitchen at the back.

Decoration is delightfully minimalist (the occasional Moroccan lamp and tile design); make sure to look up as you go in at the very attractive ceiling. Simple wooden tables, a good house wine, very friendly service and spacious and attractive toilets, hyper-clean, the flush works and the doorhandle is not loose! But it’s the food you go for, and this is excellent. An extensive choice with their specialities being Moroccan dishes which taste just as good as the best I have had in Morocco. The ‘tajine’ of rape (monkfish) had a delicious, subtle flavour as did the lamb with prunes chosen by my companion. We shared a dessert (this is no problem here) and it was mouthwatering.
Very good value for money.

To find the Mandragora: stand facing the front door of the church; walk along the left hand side of the Church (past the Chinese restaurant on your left) and take the first turning right, and you are there. Lucky you!

Closed on Sunday.

--- Spanish Tarifa restaurants---

Restaurant Villanueva

Take the main road down the hill past the Puerto de Jerez (the arched entrance to the old town) which is on your left. Just a little further down is this restaurant, which has recently undergone a major face-lift and extension, with a very nice restaurant upstairs with very good views. Very well known for its fish dishes. Good value. Good service.
Again, I would choose to go here at lunchtime.

--- Spanish Tarifa restaurants---

Restaurant El Pozuelo

Take the N.340 direction Cadiz: this restaurant is next to the Elf petrol station.

Another very Spanish restaurant, particularly good at lunchtime.
Very popular with the locals, which is a good indication that it is great value for money. It is very easy to park. There is a large bar as you enter, and a large restaurant to the right hand side. The fixed menu is excellent value.

--- Spanish Tarifa restaurants---

Restaurant El Ancla

If you fancy fresh fish (no frills) try EL ANCLA (The Anchor); honest food and prices, largely local Spanish clientele (can be quite noisy, but that’s how the Spanish are when they are enjoying themselves).
Go to harbour. Turn right. Pass a number of restaurants with outside terraces and take first turning right. El Ancla is immediately on your right (no outside terrace!).

--- Spanish Tarifa restaurants---

La Pizzeria

Excellent pizzas. Ideal with the family, as the children can play on the Alameda while you wait to be served. In the summer months there is a permanent market on the Alameda which is very colourful, and there are often entertainers to keep the children amused.

--- Spanish Tarifa restaurants---

Restaurante La Olla (in English: Restaurant The (cooking) Pot)

Alcalde Juan Nuñez, on the new promenade in front of the harbour; nice sunny location!
Tel. 956 684085 (best to reserve)

Eat inside or out, depending on the wind! I found the fish really good, but be sure to ask which fish is fresh (not out of the deepfreeze). The tuna (April 2008- the first catch of the season is just coming in) was excellent, as was the Pez Espada (swordfish). I am told their paella is very good, but have not tried it myself.

Friendly, somewhat boisterous service.

¡Que approveche!

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