Gastronomy

"The best the world has is in the number of worlds that the world contains." Eduardo Galeano.

"There is no love more sincere than the love of food." George Bernard Shaw.

gastronomía tarifeña"When traveling one should have an open mind to all the surprises, not get  tired, not to be capricious, eat well and drink better." Francisco Nieva

See Tarifa´s Restaurant Guide

It is heard worldwide that in Tarifa we have a strong wind. It has also been repeated at an exhausted rate (with the permission from the Canary Islands population) that it sits at the southern most point of Europe. And not to mention the story of the legend “Guzmán el Bueno”, about his sacrificed son killed at the hand of his own dagger. There are some facts about this magical place that are repeated too much.

But what about gastronomy in Tarifa? Eating is a fundamental part of the culture of a town, and judging by how little has been said and written about this it would seem that in Tarifa we don’t eat! Well, not only do we eat, but we eat very well. For starters, our products are so good that we even export them (like red tuna). And with Morocco right next door there has been a fusion between our countries and food long before the word “fusion” even became fashionable. Popular recipes have reached a stage where they reach the requirements of the most discerning palate. And if this were not enough, very good chefs and cooks internationally and nationally have established themselves here to enrich the culinary culture of our people.

Over the last years, in all aspects of gastronomy, from agriculture, to the preparation in the kitchen and the way of consuming has taken an important step forward. The whole world is currently experiencing a food revolution, as important and as relevant as once was the start of the industrial revolution and the technological revolution. Spain, at the summit of world cuisine, is located in a privileged position  directly and indirectly benefiting many lives. Names such as Ferran Adriá, José Andrés Josemari Alzac and to name a few, are so well known internationally as compatriots in the world of sports or arts. Thanks to them, production and marketing of food products such as olive oil or Iberian ham, the catering and tourism industries to name but a few examples, are being given a generous push forward.

Therefore, this edition is a celebration of Tarifa gastronomy like it has never been done before. We have served up a mouth opening edition featuring the best harvest in town, and with so much to choose from we cannot fit all of it into a single edition, so the first part starts here and many more are yet to come! Come and enjoy, let the feast begin!




Rice with Lobster, Lola Mora

lola mora, tarifaRestuaurante Lola Mora (contact hereí)

A family restaurant specialising in rice prepared by their experienced chef (over thirty years of experience from the Basque country. Former head chef in Sotogrande´s Zaldia). The photo shows her delicious risotto with lobster and clams from Sanlucar. Other dishes include a black rice with seafood and squid ink, paella with chicken, beef or pork, chicken, fish or vegetable paella, King prawn risotto and mushroom risotto. Also recommended is the bacalao fish “al pil pil”, the “barbells” of cod and the oxtail. Only the freshest produce is used and the meat and fish is all from the local and national area.

Grilled Borriquete, El Mirlo

el mirlo, TarifaRestuaurant EL MIRLO (address and telephone here)

You can not leave Tarifa without trying the borriquete grilled from Restaurant El Mirlo. The borriquete is a white fish with a texture and taste similar to bream fish, like most of the other dishes served at this unique establishment caught by the same owners of this restaurant. You'll find it at the end of the road behind the dune Valdevaqueros past the former military camp. Once there, leave your worries in the trunk of the car and get ready for a unique experience eating fresh fish with possibly the best views of the strait.

Vegeterian Burrito, 100% Fun

100 x 100 fun, TarifaRestaurante 100% FUN (contact here)

We present to you a really tasty and healthy vegetable burrito. It's made with tomatoes, onions, carrots, corn, and pumpkin flower then wrapped in a flour tortilla and served with rice and beans. Mexican restaurant 100% Fun is well known for their excellent food and creativity. As well as Mexican there is also the choice of other quality cuisine from around the world. Dine surrounded by a beautiful and vibrant tropical garden with views of the sea. The restaurant is located inside a Polynesian style building, with a high impressive ceiling. It is definately a place to relax after a day on the beach and to enjoy vibrant and romantic nights amongst a lush garden.

Caipiroska de Fresa, Café Continental

cafe continental, TarifaCAFÉ CONTINENTAL (dirección y teléfono aquí)

Apúntate al afterbeach & music. Renovada  terraza en pleno Paseo de la Alameda donde disfrutar de la noche al aire libre con un refrescante cocktail. Selecta variedad de tapas y desayunos. Abierto de 9:00h. a 2:00h., fines de semana hasta las 3:00h.
También recomendamos: Mojito, Piña Colada, Daikiri y Caipinha.

BBQ, Venta El Tito

venta el tito, TarifaVENTA EL TITO (contact here)

From being formerly a shop in 1901, located in the Natural Park of the Straits, to being transformed into a beautiful restaurant Venta El Tito has lived 13 years of serving deliciously cooked meat. Beef and pork is grilled with Iberian oak and wild olive trees to give each dish an authentic wood aroma. A highlight of Venta El Tito is its lovely Andalusian garden and outdoor terrace which offer wonderful views to Northern Morocco. Here you can also have a drink or after dinner cocktail under the night skies in the outdoor lounge. The restaurant is also available for rent for all types of events. Don’t wait for them to tell you about it, find out for yourselves!

Grilled Iberian beef steak, Entre Dos Aguas Restaurant

entre dos aguas, TarifaENTRE DOS AGUAS (address and telephone here)

One kilo of Iberian beef steak grilled with grilled vegetables and fried potato wedges. Does this make your mouth water? Then read on! This restaurant Entre Dos Aguas in Tarifa, run by Argentinians, masters of the grill. also has Iberian pig, fresh local fish, pizzas, pastas, salads and various desserts to enjoy. They have a pleasant terrace located on the Paseo  Alameda (the pedestrian zone next to the port) and the kitchen is open from 13:00 to 01:00am.

Squid Crown, Bodega La Olla

bodega la olla, TarifaBODEGA LA OLLA (contact here)

This tasty dish consists of the crown of a squid tipped with green asparagus in season. The squid, caught in Tarifa waters, is grilled, then, seasoned with poppy seeds and Maldon salt flakes and accompanied with a garlic sauce. Other specialties of La Olla include grilled seafood, paella, locally caught fish, grilled or fried Almadraba tuna in butter, a style adopted by "Juan Luque, which in 1898 pioneered this gourmet family. They are open for lunch and dinner and have a pleasant terrace overlooking the port.

Gin (Hendrick´s) & Tonic con Pepino y Pétalos de Rosa, Bear House

bear house, TarifaBEAR HOUSE TARIFA (dirección y teléfono aquí)

Un clásico de la noche Tarifeña, situado en el casco histórico y ahora totalmente reformado. La combinación de elegante decoración y buena música crea un ambiente distendido que te sorprenderá. Especializado en Cocktails y Gin&Tonics Premium . De 14:00h. a 2:00h., fines de semana hasta las 3:00h. También recomendamos: Ginebra Bulldog, tónica, canela en rama y pepino. Ginebra 7D Essential, hiervabuena, lima y azucar moreno.

Hamburguesa de Ternera, Malibú

malibú, TarifaBRASERÍA MALIBÚ (dirección y teléfono aquí)

¿A quién no le gusta una buena hamburguesa con ingredientes de primera calidad? Os presentamos una de 200gr. de carne de ternera (producto local) a la brasa, con huevo, bacon, tomate, lechuga, pepinillo, cebolla y queso, se sirve con patatas teja. También tienen otras tres variantes de  hamburguesas con carne de venado, pollo y la vegetariana. La Brasería Malibú es un restaurante especializado en ensaladas, carnes y pescados de la zona a la parrilla, con cocina abierta todo el día para desayunos, comidas y cenas.  Desde su terraza a pie de playa puedes ver el mar y la puesta de sol. Lo encontrarás en la zona lúdica de la Playa de los Lances.

Lasagna, La Oca da Sergio

la oca da sergio, Tarifa Italian Restaurant LA OCA DA SERGIO (contact here)

Lasagna is similar to that of a paella in that you can always use the same ingredients, but somehow each one turns out to be a little different. Sergio's Lasaga and his very secret touch uses green pasta sheets, top quality beef and tomato sauce together with cooking it long and slow. Sergio is one of the most experienced Italian restauranteurs in Tarifa and La Oca de Sergio is his latest venture, a welcoming and elegant, yet simple Italian restaurant. His pizzas are some of the most desirable around and all variety of pastas and dishes are offered with both meat, fish and vegetarian options. Enjoy recipes that will go on a lifetime!.