Asador La Brasa De Sancho, Calle Sancho IV El Bravo 1 +34 615 59 19 19
A popular Spanish/Mediterranean restaurant in a great location, shaded by the castle walls with a great view of the Plaza del Espana. Using local produce to create regional dishes with an emphasis
on the traditional grill, you can enjoy range of options including fresh fish and cheese platters - so ideal for lunch or three course dinner. (Please note at peak times you will need to order food when on the terrace/balcony.) www.labrasadesancho.es
Casa Varo - Calle Nuestra Señora de la Oliva, 9 +34 956 447 734
Just up the hill, in the shadow of the church is the popular Casa Varo run by Juan and his family run this popular dining spot. His Carpaccio de Atún de Almadraba (local tuna available all year round from a specialist supplier in Barbate) might just be one of the finest things you will eat in Vejer. From the Albóndigas de Chocos (cuttlefish balls), to fine cuts of Iberian pork via a slice or two of local Payoyo goat’s cheese, there’s almost nothing in here that I don’t love. This is one of the few places in town I recommend to eat the local Retinto entrecôte and solomillo. With Pintia and Mauro featuring, the wine selection’s also one o the best in Vejer. A final word of warning: his zingy after-dinner shots can slip down just a little too easily.Closed Tuesdays / Open every other day and evening from 12.30. Closed mid November – Easter Casavaro.com; .
El Claustro - Calle Ramon y Cajal, 2 +34 856 00 97 26
Highly recommended are the fried fish, cheese platter, tartare de Retinto, duck & pulpo. Great chocolate brownies too. They stock the local red wine called Gaudix. The chef is a young lady from South America and has inspired the menu with her touches. Wonderful views from the terrace, especially at sunset – featuring musical events in the Summer months. .facebook.com/El-Claustro-Restaurante Opens 18:00
Corredera 55
- Calle de la Corredera, 55 +34 956 451 848.
Some of the most delicious food in Vejer, served in a stylish interior or great outdoor terrace, is under the watchful eye of Ellie at 55. A superbly creative menu using mostly locally sourced produce. I love their fabulous fish dishes, pork cheeks with cauliflower puree, beetroot risotto, oxtail croquetas and what has to be the best selection of desserts in Vejer. Open from 12:00 every day Califavejer.com
Las Delicias - Calle de la Corredera, 31 +34 956 451 807.
This extraordinary restaurant is a spectacular renovation of an old theatre. I love the avocado and pulpo (octopus) and ajo blanco (chilled garlic and almond soup) with smoked cod, while all their croquetas are light and divine. Mini burgers (made from local Retinto beef) are amongst the other great dishes on offer. At the weekends there’s live music with a mix of traditional and contemporary fusions which can be appreciated while sampling the great wines from Cádiz province. Open every day and evening most of the year from 12.00. Lasdeliciasvejer.com
El Jardín del Califa - Plaza de España, 12 +34 956 451 706
Located on the central Plaza, this remains one of the most popular restaurants in Vejer for years, so reservations are essential. From June onwards, if you haven’t booked a table you’ll struggle to get in. Historic surrounds and a pretty garden combine to make an atmospheric dining place. The whole menu has a North Africa influence, with a good choice of vegetarian options as well as a variety of tangines, couscous dishes and barbequed meats. Their Moroccan-inspired kitchen consistently produces wonderful delights like the traditional Meze platter which is delicious and has remained so for years. During the evenings and weekends their BBQ list offers more local dishes such as Secreto Ibérico which, although not Moroccan, is a must. A superb wine list features noteworthy local wines from the province of Cadiz – incl the one Moroccan red – Domaine Larroque. El Jardín is open every day and evening all summer Califavejer.com
Marengo - Callejón del Santísmo, 1 +34 956 450 883
‘Marengo’ is the term for someone who worked in the fishing industry in Málaga. And sure enough a) the owners of this great eatery are from there and b) seafood features heavily on the menu. The prawns are sensational, wrapped in basil leaves and brik pastry before being deep fried and served with a peanut dipping sauce. The tuna tartare is similarly inspired – but make sure you leave space for the ‘Pasion Blanca’ for dessert. Open: every day in July and August from 19.30. Rest of the year: Closed all day Monday. Tues-Thurs from 19.30; Fri-Sat from 13.00; Sun 13.00-16.00.
La Piccolina - Plaza de España, 20
+34 671 765 339.
This Italian-run spot you will be warmly greeted while being served a genuine Italian cappuccino. It’s open for breakfast, offering their own take on local classics, along with great salads and delicious dishes of the day such as seafood risotto made with brown rice and grilled squid with salsa verde- so ideal for meals and a wide variety of tapas, with generous portions! Closed Tuesdays during the Summer/ Open every other day and evening from 10.00. Only open at the weekend during the Sinter.
Trafalgar - Plaza de España, 31 +34 956 447 638
Eat inside or out on the romantic palm-filled central square of old-town Vejer, with some of the best fresh & locally-caught (seasonal) tuna in the world* as well as a wealth of other seafood & good wine. Tables outside are non-bookable, but you ask to change on arrival if one spare. Here you can sample some great local delicacies including the best Rabo de Toro (oxtail) I have ever tasted. Check out their spectacular Revuelto de Morcilla (scrambled eggs with black pudding). open every day and evening from 13.00 for majority of the year. Closed from mid December-February. Restaurantetrafalgar.com
Tapas etc
- for less formal meals and tapas, either for lunch or with an evening drink, try some of Annie’s suggestions as you wander around Vejer ...
El Aljibe - Plaza San Francisco +34 956 451 704.
Directly opposite Pepe Julián’s is El Aljibe for a great selection of homemade Croquetas such as Queso de Cabra y Verduras (goat’s cheese and roasted peppers) and Erizos (sea urchins) – perfection with a glass of icy beer. Open all year round.
Califa Tapas - Calle de la Corredera, 33 +34 637 423 506
As an offshoot of El Jardín del Califa, this is a great place for a casual lunch in the sunshine where you get to try their Meze range and excellent wine list, only in a slightly more informal setting. Open every day during summer months only from 12.00-20.00.
(* Next door to the main entrance is
Califa Express which is my stop for takeaways of hummus, babaganoush and falafel. Califa Express open everyday from Easter till Nov from 12.30-20.00.) Califavejer.com
Bar Central
- Calle Teniente Castrillón, 5 +34 956 450 457
El Central is another family affair with some of my favourite things to eat in any Vejer restaurant: Tostas con Anchoas y Boquerones (anchovies on toast). It may not sound like much, but it’s a winning combination of salty, vinegary and tomato-y, served with a glass of Manzanilla of course. The Retinto (local breed of beef cattle) is fabulous here and Salvador cooks it to perfection (in my case a flawless al punto), then serves sliced with a dash of sea salt, homemade chips and a bottle of Garum (a wonderful, velvety, well made red wine from Luis Perez just outside Jerez). Also highly recommended here is the pulpo. Closed Mondays all year round / Open from 12.00 every other day. Elcentralvejer.com
El Conejito - Calle Bellido, 1 +34 956 451 704
Hidden away on Juan Relinque, on the way up to the new town is El Conejito or Pedro’s Bar. The Jamón Pedro carves up for you is amongst the very best you’ll find in Vejer. At its best washed down with ultra-chilled Manzanilla and his yummy olives followed by some superb Albondigas (meat balls). Closed Sundays / Open every other day including breakfast. Facebook.com
Las Delicias
- Calle de la Corredera, 31 +34 956 451 807.
The avant garde decor alone is a feast for the senses and the dishes are ground-breaking too. The carpaccio of Prese Iberica and the spicy tuna burgers live up to the restaurant's name. ladeliciasvejer.com.
Garimba Sur - Plaza de España, 32 +34 956 455 302
This is where any tapas tour of Vejer should start. The menu features beautifully presented dishes eaten in a gorgeous outside terrace. The decor is striking – decked out wooden interiors with decorative azulejos (typical Andaluz tiles). This is a fabulous stop for Arroz Negro, washed down with a cheeky Vermouth or two (a drink that’s more commonly associated with Madrid) and a spot of people-watching.
Open every day and evening during summer months from 12.30.. Closed November-mid February. Garimbasur.com
Marengo - Santismo, 1
+34 956 450 883
Slightly off the beaten track, minimalistic style, with a varied and interesting menu that can be ordered in tapas sizes. Cocktails and good wine list too. For langoustines wrapped in basil and wakra pastry, deep fried and served with peanut sauce - fantastic with fino. Drink oloroso with the yummy retinto beef mini-burgers.
Bar Navarro - Calle Juan Bueno, 8 34 956 450 274.
Bar Navarro is an unpretentious little place that specialises in Pescados Fritos (fried fish). For a casual evening, find a table on the tiny street, order a platter of fried fish to share and a bottle of white wine, watch the kids play and the people come and go. Beyond the fried stuff you can opt for great Pulpo a la Gallega (octopus and potatoes) or a selection of Iberian pork or Retinto beef off their brasa (indoor BBQ). In addition to the classic Barbadillo white wine, they also serve an Enate Chardonnay from Somontano that’s well worth trying.
Open every day and evening majority of the year. Closed January and February.
La Oficina - Plaza de la Paz +34 655 099 911
(Bar Abaceria) La Oficina has moved to Plaza de la Paz. A changing menu that has never disappointed me. It’s consistently fabulous. Do check the prices with the waiter before ordering daily specials. The owner Candido is a talented artist as well as great cook so do check out his work for sale. Facebook.com
La Piccolina - Plaza de España, 20 +34 671 765 339.
A small Italian/Spanish family cafe owners offer a wide variety of fresh tapas and meals – open for breakfast too, with generous portions! Closed Tuesdays during the summer months / Open every other day and evening from 10.00. Only open at the weekend during the winter months.
Facebook.com; +34 671 765 339
Mesón el Palenque - Plaza San Francisco
+34 956 451 704.
One of the best paellas in town – if you give Juan an order ahead of time, he will buy in the best seafood on offer. Best had with a lovely salad of tomato, lettuce and onion – simple clean flavours. I love to accompany this with an Amontillado Sherry or a rosé. Always look out for the most recent vintage when it comes to rosé wine. In 2019, drink the 2018 vintage. Insist on this! Open all year round.
Bar Peneque- Plaza de España, 27 +34 956 450 209
As you continue around the Plaza you will find Bar Peneque. I love this place for simple tapas of Atún Encebollada (braised onions with tuna) and Chocos Fritos (fried cuttlefish). This is a great place to sit under the orange trees while you sip on a coffee or copa and people watch. It opens from 6am and so is a great breakfast stop for delicious Pan con Tomate (tomato on toast).Closed Sundays all year round except August. Open every other day and evening from 06.00 for a great local breakfast. .
Mesón Pepe Julián - Calle Juan Relinque, 7 34 956 451 098
Opposite Plaza San Francisco is Mesón Pepe Julián. His menu reads like a roll call of classic tapas: fine Jamón, Boquerones en Vinagre, Puntillitas (deep fried tiny squid)- they are all here. Cast your eye to the right and you’ll see the owner’s cellar of special reds that don’t appear on the wine list. If you ask him very nicely you might even get to try one. Closed Mondays. Facebook.com
Mesón las Perdices
- Avenida Buenavista, 12 +34 956 450 361.
One particular delicacy that is devoured by the Vejeriegos is Perdiz (partridge), and no one serves it better than here. It really is divine when served braised with onions, mushrooms, Jamón and Sherry – and so worth seeking out. Closed Mondays / Open every other day and evening from 12.00. Mesonlasperdices.com
Trafalgar Tapas - Plaza de España, 12 +34 956 447 638
Just next door to the main restaurant of the same name. Here you can feast on excellent Escabeche de Atún Rojo alongside a copa of ice cold Fino. – that’s if they are willing to serve you. Under new ownership they seem to have a different take on things. The last time I tried to go there the waiter Carlos told me he couldn’t serve us for 20 minutes as he needed rest! Open every day and evening from 13.00 for majority of the year. Closed from mid December-February. Restaurantetrafalgar.com
Casa Varo- Calle Nuestra Señora de la Oliva, 9 +34 956 447 734
The carpaccio of almadraba tuna partnered with palo cortado sherry or the albondigos de choca, divine with a chilled Verdejo from Rueda to refresh you from the uphill walk!
Vera Cruz – Calle Eduardo Shelly, 1 +34 956 929 665
Under new ownership in 2018, this restaurant is considered one of the best in Vejer with a cheerful eclectic design – offering a wonderful range of imaginative local cuisine, using local produce. .facebook.com/laveracruz.vejer Hours 13:00 - 15:30, 20:00 - 23:00
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Viña y Mar
- Nuestra Señora de la Oliva, 8 +34 956 455 167.
Ramon’s Viña y Mar was the first Sherry bar in Vejer., close to the Church. This is the place to work your way through more than 40 Sherries by the glass. Several other worthy Spanish and local wines are available here too It’s not all about Sherry here, though: Chef Kiko’s open kitchen serves some of the best dishes in Vejer, always ask what he recommends. An amontillado with their ventresca beetroot and tuna burger is a marriage made in heaven. . Closed Sundays during summer months / Open every othe r evening. Closed several weeks the rest of the year.
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Mercado San Franciso
- Plaza San Francisco
This great little gourmet market has been a huge local success since opening its doors in December 2013. A food market during the day and tapas hall at night with a selection of stalls such as Sushi Time offering fabulous sushi, tataki and sashimi as well as homemade dumplings and miso soup. Carniceria Guillermo offers the best carpaccio of local Retinto beef. Sliced from frozen and garnished with grated parmesan, olive oil, salt and lemon – this locally reared beef will melt in your mouth like butter. Pizzas and tacos are on offer too. A well stocked wine bar offers you plenty of local vinos to accompany. Buzzing all year round, this is a local hangout. 11.00-14.30., 20.00 – 01.00.
Palomita Deli - Calle Los Remedios, 1 +34 956 455 497
Some of the most delicious food in Spain is tinned, especially fish such as tuna and anchovies. Here you will find the best selection of top quality local producers such as Herpac, Gadira and La Chanca. Try slices of local Payoyo goat’s cheese and a tin of top quality Cantabrian anchovies. Drain the tin and place an anchovy on top of a slice of cheese. Along with a glass of chilled Fino from their fridge, you will experience an unforgettable food and wine match sensation. Also on offer you’ll find Jamón, cones of cheese, tins of partridge pate and a huge selection of wines by the bottle. Open every day 11.00-15.00 / 17.00-21.30 Colmadopalomita.com
