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.
There are more restaurants
in Nerja, per head of population, than in any other town in
Spain. Consequently, prices are competitive and quality is maintained.
In addition, beer, wine and spirit charges 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
IVA (VAT), currently 16% (18% from July 2010), is included or
excluded in 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 wireless broadband for customers with their own
equipment.
We have dined at least once at the following (in no particular
order or preference):
'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!
‘Stad Antwerpen’,
stylish, modern restaurant with a continental menu, run by the
multi-lingual Xavier and his wife Jessica. Fondue a speciality
of the house.
'Rockys II', traditional Spanish home cooking
and tapas, run by two entertaining and cosmopolitan Spanish-Canadian
brothers in the summer. Closed November to March.
Others we like on
the beachfront include 'Bakers Bar', 'All
That Jazz', '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 a bit more expensive
and 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'.
'California', owned by 'retired' UK ex-pats. Eat inside,
or outside in the courtyard or on the splendid large roof terrace.
Very popular and cheaper than many restaurants, to our mind
very good value. Big customer base of regular clients coming
back year after year. Pictured on our photos
page. Closed November to March.
'Scarletta's', next door but one to the 'California'
and run by their son-in-law. Totally different style of menu,
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.
'Haveli' tandoori, run in traditional Asian
style for over twenty 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.
'Pinocchio', near to the Haveli, Italian restaurant
and pizzeria. Very popular, especially with the locals, good
atmosphere, reasonable prices. Eat inside or out in the large
open courtyard. Busy all year, even in the quietest months.
'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.
'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 permitting).
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' magazine, which is kept
in all our properties.
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