Dining Out (N.B.
Some of these may be closed for holidays in the winter).
We are happy to comment
on restaurants we have frequented, though any advice, verbal
or written, is merely our opinion, not a definitive guide, and
therefore we accept no liability for any such opinions expressed.
Nerja, with 400 restaurants,
reputedly has more per head of population than any other town
in Spain. Consequently, prices are competitive and quality is
maintained. In addition, alcohol prices reflect the lower duty
rate, compared to the U.K. We suggest, being a hot climate,
it is best to eat at busy places where food turnover is high,
thereby ensuring product freshness. Most of the restaurants
in the area will offer the choice to eat outside, whether it
be on their frontage, in a secluded open-air courtyard, or on
the roof. Many have patio heaters for chilly spring and autumn
evenings. Booking is recommended beforehand in all the busiest
places. Menus are displayed outside, which will also show whether
8% IVA (VAT) is included or additional to the price. Some are
closed one day per week, others are evenings only. Nearest to
our properties, the Burriana Beach promenade and the lower end
of Calle Filipinas have a wide selection, many of which feature
sports channels on HD wide screen. Many also have free secure
wireless broadband for customers with their own equipment, just
ask for the password.
We have dined at least once at the following (with no preference,
listed alphabetically):
'Ayo's',
one of several 'barbecue in a boat' seafood bars on the beach,
at their busiest lunchtime when cooking giant paella's. Named
after the working owner, now a local celebrity who, when a small
boy, discovered the Nerja Caves. He is recognisable by the ponytail
and the newspapers wrapped around his shins for protection against
the fire!
'Bakers Bar',
good food, well presented, reasonably prices, in a modern setting.
Affable host who obviously enjoys football on the TV. Open all
year, closed Thursdays.
'Rockys II', traditional Spanish home cooking and tapas
'like mama used to make'. Owned by two entertaining and cosmopolitan
Spanish-Canadian brothers. Closed winter.
‘Stad Antwerpen’,
stylish, modern restaurant with a continental menu, run by the
enthusiastic, multi-lingual Xavier and his wife Jessica. Fondue
a speciality of the house.
Open all year, except mid-November to mid-December, closed Tuesdays.
Others we like on the beachfront include 'JJ's Cafe
Del Mar' and the 'Colonia' tapas bar.
Such a competitive environment makes them all more than acceptable,
whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner. 'Bruxelles'
and 'H2o' are also popular, both more expensive
and a bit more up-market than the others.
The following are in the main restaurant area in the centre
of town, along Los Huertos, down Calle Cristo, Calle Pintada
and Calle Carabeo, all leading to the 'Balcon de Europa'.
'El Nino', in the upper part of 'C/Cristo' 100 metres
up from the junction with 'C/Trancos'. A small, long established,
family run traditional restaurant and tapas bar, with more expensive
up-market food. Very friendly service, plus the added authenticity
of rubbing shoulders at the bar with various ancient locals
drinking unspeakable concoctions. Large wine display of varying
vintages. Pictured on our photos
page.
'Haveli' tandoori, serving traditional Asian food for
twenty-five years, very popular and quite large. It has a double
shop frontage, half of which they close in off-peak periods
to maintain the atmosphere inside. Large garden at the rear,
with open-air bar and marquee in the summer. Pictured on our
photos page.
'Meson de Antonio', past the Church Square
to the right, at the end of 'C/Diputation'. Another family run
restaurant and tapas bar, run much the same as 'El Nino', with
a different set of ancient locals but the same large wine display!
The road outside is closed on summer evenings, so dining in
the open air is an option (weather usually permitting).
'Pinocchio', near to the Haveli, Italian style
restaurant and pizzeria. Good atmosphere, reasonable prices,
very popular, especially with the locals. Eat inside or out
in the large open courtyard. Busy all year, even in the quietest
months.
'Scarletta's', run by an established
British family, good food and atmosphere. Eat inside or outside
on the first floor patio, or higher still on the large roof
terrace with views across the town. Closed November to mid-February.
All round the 'Balcon'
are numerous other Spanish, ethnic, 'tandoori' and hotel restaurants,
some with cliff top terraces overlooking the sea. The best of
these is the hotel '34 Carabeo' and 'Taste
of India', both on C/Carabeo. However, there is no
escape from the usual burger bars, tempting ice cream parlours
with their wide selection of flavours, plus of course, traditional
Spanish tapas bars. On the route from Burriana to the town centre,
there are a number of popular restaurants along 'C/Huertos',
notably 'La Galleria', offering good value
menus. Also recommended is the 'Old Cellar',
whose menu is complimented by a fine selection of Rioja's.
Although
a bit out of town, a car or taxi journey is worth the effort
to visit 'Stoker Brown's', very popular in
the summer, with splendid terrace views across the whole of
Nerja from 'San Juan Capistrano', at 300 metres, the highest
Urbanisation.
If you visit Nerja, we
hope you find something amongst this selection. Most are listed,
with numbered town map positions and contact details, in the
Classified section of the 'Soltalk' or 'Market Place' magazines,
which can usually be found in all our properties.
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