I haven’t created a post about what I have been eating on this 90 day journey across this part of the country. Besides enjoying most of my own meals in my Airbnb’s, which saves me the most money as I live abroad, I have enjoyed more than a few treats. A foodie’s paradise found in Southern Spain where delicious things abound.
Seville
The first day I landed, I dropped my bags at my Airbnb and hit the streets in search of tapas. I had been dreaming about these little plates of goodness for months. First stop was La Alegria de la Feria where I enjoyed these piping hot balls of seafood and cream with a crisp and cool cervesa.
A few days later and I stumbled upon La Centuria in Seville. Here I saw fresh crunchy churros and that thick and creamy hot chocolate for dipping. This was my very first experience with this Spanish treat. I thought I had died and gone to heaven; the chocolate was that good. Adding the hot churros with that airy crunch and you have perfection.
Another quintessential Spanish breakfast was enjoyed at Bar Macarena. Overlooking the Basilica de la Macarena and a wedding in progress, I enjoyed this little toasted sandwich smothered with olive oil, tomato and Iberian jamon. Together with a café con leche and fresh squeezed orange juice.
Tarifa
My next and longest stop along the route was the coastal town of Tarifa. I quickly found a favourite bakery called Pasteleria Bernal. Each time I visited the grocery store in their neighbourhood, I would pick up a few things here. I thoroughly enjoyed their fresh and flaky croissants (€1.20) & squishy circle shaped bread which I cut in half and toasted.
Torremolinos
I was not enamoured with this town and as a result spent very little money here, in fact I didn’t dine out even once.
Granada
One of my favourite towns along the way was Granada. Here I tried a traditional item at Café Heladeria Capry. A small seasonal pastry that was soggy, cold and bland and cost a whopping €2 for that tiny item.
One of the best and authentic breakfasts I enjoyed was at Café Puerta Bernina. Ordered, was a traditional toast breakfast drizzled with flavourful house olive oil, tart and sharp, spread with crushed tomatoes, eaten with coffee. The meal was only a couple of euros.
A delicious dinner was had at Carmela la Piccola. I can’t remember the last time I had enjoyed pizza, so that is exactly what I sought out here. Buffalo mozzarella pizza and red wine plus free tapas that totalled €22.
Another day I enjoyed a lunch at El Vecino. The meal began with a crisp and cool glass of rose and continued with the daily lunch menu. This included winter soup, grilled haka fish and Spanish custard with cookie crumbs for dessert. The total for all was €17.50.
After walking Alhambra all day, I decided a late lunch was in order at La Authentica Carmela. Here, seated outdoors in the fresh air, I enjoyed my first Spanish sangria with creamy black rice and free tapas. This total was €21.40.
I found the prices for food the most expensive in Granada as compared to everywhere else I roamed during these three months.
Malaga
Malaga brought a time for me where I was busy doing errands. This resulted in a few smaller meals enjoyed while out on the town. Two mornings I ate at a restaurant in the mall on the 2nd floor. This was more of a bar, but served €1 toasted breakfast sandwiches.
Another day I was celebrating, so I treated myself to a sweet breakfast at BUN and Coffee shop. Here I tried the tahini doughnut and a café con leche. This was really quite expensive, about €7 or $10. The doughnut looked amazing, but the texture was a little difficult to love with a lacklustre flavour.
Not being able to get those churros from Seville out of my mind, I did find a place here to enjoy the same dish. Once I saw how busy Café Casa Aranda was, I knew had chosen the right place. Churros and chocolate with café con leche for €5.70.
La Recova, probably my all-time favourite breakfast place in Spain on this trip. Set in an antique store that is filled with vintage items, I ended up dining here three times. The most delicious café con leche with large toast and egg carton filled with home made spreads for only €3 each time. Best deal and so tasty.
One day I found myself a little peckish mid afternoon. I decided to stop at a restaurant I had been admiring the décor in earlier, Los Gatos. Here, seated outside under the warm winter sunshine, I enjoyed a crisp white wine & two tapas. Octopus & anchovies, so yummy.
Palma de Mallorca
My last destination on this three-month journey through southern Spain. I wasn’t too enamoured with this city, but being still full of the holiday spirit, I did eat out more than I normally would. A beautiful spot right in old town is Bakery Fika Farina. From here I ordered 2 saffron & 2 ginger cookies and a cinnamon bun for €5.50. The ginger cookies were amazing, the others okay.
At Café Arabay I had my last traditional Spanish breakfast of toast with olive oil & tomato plus a café con leche for €4.60. Reasonable price and cute interior made this a lovely respite.
The one lunch was thinking would be the best was actually less than mediocre. This was at Café St Cristo in the most ornate building in town. The quiche was cold and flavourless, almost stale tasting, and the chocolate croissant was severely under-baked (raw dough in the middle). Together with a coffee was €7.60.
Last but not least, was one of the best baked goods I tasted on this whole trip. While visiting the trendy Santa Catalina barrio I stopped at Pan Comido. This little bakery is charming, right across from the famous market and has a chosen few treats to try. I ordered a delicious and flavourful saffron & spice sticky bun plus café con leche for €5.60. The crumbles on top are cloves and one can see individual saffron stems in the dough.
Readers will see that a lot of what I tried was baked goods. I have a true weakness for such treats and cannot resist the smells emanating from a bakery when I pass by. Like I mentioned initially, I am able to save the most money whilst travelling by not eating out. When I do, I really try and chose a place where I’m going to not only get my moneys worth, but really enjoy the food. For these times are a rarity, special, and a real treat for a budget traveller such as myself.
