I’ll be honest…one of the main reasons I wanted to move back to Sanlúcar de Barrameda from Seville is the food! The restaurants in Sanlúcar are the epitome of the Mediterranean diet—light dishes, lots of olive oil, local veggies, homemade breads, and let’s not forget fresh seafood. Below you’ll find a list of my favorite restaurants in the centro (city center), Bajo de Guía (beach), and Barrio Alto (uptown) and what I’d recommend ordering at each one. If you’re interested in learning about the newest restaurants in town check out this post.
El Centro
Casa Balbino
Balbino is one of the most famous restaurants in Sanlúcar. It has a reputation far and wide for it’s delicious tapas, traditional décor, and casual vibe. This restaurant’s specially is tortilla de camarones (the only way I can try to describe this dish is “shrimp pancake”). In summer it’s nearly impossible to get a table outside but you might be able to grab a seat inside. At Balbino you order food at the counter and the server will keep a tab for you (in summer you might need to pay as soon as you order). Once your food is ready the server will bring your tapas to the counter and you can take them to your table. If you want to order more or ask for the bill you need to remember who your waiter is—he’s the one who has got your tab!
Tapas are written on chalkboards behind the counter, jamón legs hanging from the ceiling, bull heads mounted on the wall…pretty sure it doesn’t get more “authentic” than this
From the top – down: ensaladilla rusa, solomillo con salsa de cerveza, gambas con berenjena frita, pimiento relleno, salmorejo
Favorite Tapas:
- Pimiemto relleno – stuffed pepper
- Choco frito – fried cuttlefish (similar to squid/calamari)
- Tortilla de camarones – their most famous dish ~ fried shrimp pancakes
- Gambas con berenjena frita – fried shrimp wrapped in eggplant
- Salmorejo – traditional cold tomato soup
- Gazpacho – tomato/vegetable drink (hangover cure)
- Pudin de atun – tuna pudding
- Croquetas caseras – homemade croquettes
Address: Plaza de Cabildo, 14 Sanlucar de Barrameda, 11540 Cadiz, Spain
Barbiana
Barbiana is another famous restaurant in Sanlúcar. Their specialty is papas aliñas con melva —a traditional tapa containing potatoes, melva (fish that tastes like tuna), onions, olive oil, and parsley. Barbiana offers a simple, traditional menu—I recommend trying ensaladilla, croquetas, and choco frito too.
Papas aliñas!
Address: Plaza de Cabildo, 2 Sanlucar de Barrameda, 11540 Cadiz, Spain
Bodegón de Lola
When the Plaza de Cabildo is too crowded and you want some delicious and cheap tapas head to Bodegón de Lola. The owners of this restaurant are related to Casa Balbino so you’ll get to enjoy some of the same tapas like tortilla de camarones. This place is a local favorite and is usually packed. I recommend trying the following dishes:
- Caprichito de Lola
- Crujiente de Lola
- Pudin de cola de toro
- Ensaladilla
- Atun con salmorejo
- Hamburguesa de Corvina
- Patata rellena en salsa de tomate
Address: Calle San Miguel, 4 Sanlúcar de Barrameda, 11540 Cadiz, Spain
Puerta de la Victoria
If you’re in the mood for tapas with a modern twist head to Puerta de la Victoria; you’ll find classic tapas like papas aliñas and choco frito but they also have new favorites like milhojas de foie and tartar de salmon con aguacate! Make sure to order the biscocho de chocolate, their molten chocolate cake served with vanilla icecream!
Photo source Puerta de la Victoria
Favorite tapas:
- Milhojas de foie
- Croquetas de setas
- Salmorejo
- Aguacate relleno con gambas
- Tartar de Salmon con aguacate
- Any of the “barquillos”
- Any of the desserts/postres!
Address: Calle de la Victoria, 7 Sanlúcar de Barrameda, 11540 Cadiz, Spain
Casa Perico
Another local favorite Casa Perico that never disappoints! You will find fresh seafood, large portions, and great prices! It’s one of my favorite restaurants in Sanlúcar.
My favorite dish – Marrajo a la plancha (grilled fish/shark) – it usually comes with fries or salad – but I ask for both! And request the “salsa verde” with it too (garlic sauce)
Favorite tapas:
- Pez espada a la plancha
- Marrajo a la plancha
- Corvina a la plancha
- Choco a la plancha
- Any of the fried fish or seafood (choco, cazon, marrajo, puntillitas, etc.)
- Gambas al ajillo
Address: Calle Salvador Gallardo, 27 Sanlúcar de Barrameda, 11540 Cadiz, Spain
La Lobera
La Lobera is just outside of the historic center. This resturant offers a fantastic selection of tapas that are sure to please every palate.
Champiñones “La Lobera (stuffed + fried mushrooms)” and sushi
Favorite Dishes:
- Mini hamburguesa de buey (mini buey burger)
- Sushi
- Tartar de atún (tuna tartar)
- Rissotto de setas y gambas (mushroom + shrimp risotto)
- Torre de Babel (I can’t explain it…just order it!)
- Pulpo a la Gallega (best octopus I’ve ever had)
Address: Avenida de Cerro Falón, 32 Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cadíz 11540
Bajo de Guía
Club Nautico
Club Nautico is the perfect place to eat lunch. Try to get a table upstairs for great views of Doñana and the beach below. The specialty at Club Nautico is seafood but the meat dishes they offer are delicious too. I highly recommend choosing any of the fresh fish they have in-house the day you visit. Last time I went we ordered Pargo al horna con pimientos and it was fantastic!
Carabineiros!
Fresh Pargo!
Pargo al horno con pimientos y patatas
Favorite Dishes:
- Ensaladilla
- Almejas a la marinera
- Any of the meat dishes (solomillo, entrecot, etc.)
- Corvina a la plancha
- Dorada a la sal
- Pargo al horno con pimientos
Address: Avenida de Bajo de Guia, 0 Sanlúcar de Barrameda, 11540 Cadiz, Spain
Casa Bigote
Casa Bigote is another famous restaurant in Sanlúcar. It arguably has the best seafood in Cadíz. You can choose to eat at the taberna (tapas bar) or in the restaurant; if you want to eat in the restaurant you should try to make a reservation upstairs in advance. The main difference between the taberna and the restaurant are the prices; the taberna offers cheaper dishe but you’ll eat your meal standing at a barrel or the counter of the restaurant. Personally, I like eating at the tapas bar and don’t mind standing (it’s a good way to mingle with locals and check out all the decorations covering the walls of the bar). We usually go to the restaurant for special occasions. Click here for more photos and recommendations at Casa Bigote.
inside the tapas bar
Morrajo a la Vinigreta
Favorite dishes:
- Morrajo a la vinagreta
- Corvina en salsa tartara
- Hamburguesas de Bacalao al queso
- Carpaccio de gambas blancas
- Atun mechado
Address: Calle Portico Bajoe de Guia, 10 Sanlúcar de Barrameda, 11540 Cadiz, Spain
Barrio Alto
El Espejo Gastrobar
El Espejo Gastrobar is another one of my favorite restaurants in Sanlúcar. We always make a reservation because Espejo is popular with both tourists and locals. The restaurant is located just a few blocks from Nuestra Señora de la O (famous church in Barrio Alto) and the Castillo de Santiago.
Espejo has a beautiful interior patio which is perfect for dining out in summer!
Bacalao (white flakey fish) with potato puree and black garlic
Salmorejo – traditional tomato soup served cold (very typical in summer)
Favorite dishes:
- Croquetas de jamón y pollo (chicken/ham croquettes)
- Bacalao confitado con patatas y ajo negro (white fish with potato puree and black garlic)
- Hamburguesa de ternera con patatas (hamburger with potatoes)
- Ravioli de carrillera ibérica con manzana asada (Beef ravioli with grilled apples)
- Coulant de choco crema de cacahuete y toffe con helado de caramelo (AMAZING!!!! Chocolate + peanut butter lava cake)
Address: Calle Caballeros 11 Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cadiz 11540
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Thank you verte much for this great article. Hope you enjoy the food tonight 😊
I know I will! 🙂 Espejo is always delicious!
La Lobera want to thank you that you have appointed us in such a great article about Sanlucar.
Gracias a ti! We love the food at your restaurant! 🙂
¿Hacedia? Do you mean ‘acedía”? Also, “choco” does not translate as squid, that would be “calamares,” but as cuttlefish—similar and yet very different.
I’ve updated the descriptions – my spell check must have changed “acedía” 😉 thanks for the tips!
I really liked your post. It shows that you like to eat in Sanlucar !! I will recommend some places so you can go when you return: In the Barrio Alto (near Parroquia de la O) test in Los Caracoles, El Arquillo and El Conejo. In the first test snails (its name comes from that) when in season. In the other two, include fried fish and cold tapas, but the food is generally good and the tapas are great and cheap.
Returning to the Barrio Bajo, near El Bodegón Lola is Currito. It is a new bar where you eat pretty well. We recommend the pincho moruno de atún, patatas arrieras y presa a la Pantoja.
If you like traditional seafood dishes, I would recommend Taberna Santo Domingo, also in the center (next to the church of the same name). It is traditional food and a good price.
One thing that has struck me is that no mention Bonanza. If you’ve never been, you stop not go because you’ll love it !! The freshest fish and the best price you can find. Also they tend to have traditional sanluqueños dishes. I like much La Campana and Puerta America (the latter has a living room that leads directly to the beach. You will never eat in a place with a better view !!). Finally, to eat good, nice and cheap fried fish, you can go to Peña Bética Carlos, in Callejon Guide. The downside is that it has become fashionable as it is small and should be reserved before.
Another bar I’ve been told that is similar is The Triangle, in the Barrio San Diego. In both sites recommend the fried cuttlefish. But I must tell you that in The Triangle I have not been. I hope you like my recommendations !!
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ve been to several of the restaurants you mentioned but it looks like there are some new ones I should check out! 🙂
😉
Great article Kate! I love bodegón Argueso in calle Mar, close to calle Ancha and La Campana in Bonanza, I know it’s not in the downtown of Sanlucar but the food there is delicious! Cheers!
Those two are fantastic too! <3 I wrote about Argüeso in another post. Their sushi is great!
Reservation for 2 people Sunday evening 20..00…..23rd April 2017…could you confirm this booking please..email….
Karen not sure what you’re trying to make a reservation for 😉 best to contact a restaurant directly.
You’ve managed a first class post