La Candela

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Shawn

Updated July 2017

My first impression of La Candela a few years ago was “gastrobar” (and I am never being kind when I use that term), but once inside I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is friendly and informal, and the food, a modern but not pretentious menu, is generally very good. On subsequent visits I’ve been pleased to see that things hadn’t changed in that respect.

Try the chicharrones de Cádiz (very different from the usual deep-fried version) and also the croquetas and tempura vegetables. As an unusual touch, if you like the furniture or the paintings you can buy them.

Feduchy 1
Cádiz
Tel 956 22 18 22
€ € €

Food 8 | Wine 7 | Service 8| Ambiance 8

la candela entrada entrance

la candela kitchen open kitchen

la candela croquetas jamón and setas croquetas

tuna tempura with tomato, parmesan & oregano sauce

la candela chicharrones chicharrones de Cádiz with cheese and sun-dried tomatoes

mixed green salad with tempura sardines, parmesan,
toasted hazelnuts,honey vinaigrette

la candela veggie tempura veggie tempura with soy mayo

la candela pulpo roasted pulpo with pimentón mashed potatoes and squid ink alioli

wagyu burger

la candela beef grilled beef platter

Santiago, Pejie, co-owneres Carmen & Victor, Carmen, Lourdes

la candela window seat window seat

la candela dining area dining area

la candela diners Sunday diners

Updated July 2017

Cafe Royalty

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Shawn

Updated July 2017

cafe royalty (1) Over the years Cafe Royalty has become our official merienda (a kind of Spanish High Tea) stop for coffee, dessert and cocktails. The Royalty is certainly unique, describing itself as the only historically preserved grand romantic café in Andalucia, and with its ornate gilt plasterwork, painted ceilings and early 20th century furnishings it looks the part, and would not be out of place in Paris or Vienna.

The original café opened its doors in 1912 in celebration of the centenary of the Cadiz Cortes and the first Spanish constitution, and was a popular meeting place of local high society, artists and intellectuals until it closed its doors in the early 1930s. After being a warehouse and bazaar it was finally acquired by the De la Sema family in 2008, and lovingly restored to its former glory, re-opening in 2012, the centenary of the first Royalty.

The Royalty also do tapas and have a full restaurant menu, but for me it’s a spot to while away an hour or so late afternoon. Be sure to try the picatostas gaditanos, a traditional dessert made by soaking chunks of bread in milk, then deep-frying them. They are served warm with a dusting of icing sugar – delicious!

Plaza Candelaria
Cádiz
Tel 956 07 80 65

Food | Wine 8 | Service 8| Ambiance 8

cafe royalty chandelier

cafe royalty (2)

cafe royalty strudel apple strudel with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream

picatostes gaditanos – a house speciality

cafe royalty ceiling

cafe royalty (6)

cafe royalty (7)

cava “benjamín”

Irish coffees

cafe royalty (5) massive G & T

cafe royalty mirror

Updated July 2017

El Faro – Cádiz

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Shawn

Updated February 2017

For obvious reasons Cádiz is a fish and seafood kind of place, and with great tapas at the bar and a dining room for full meals, El Faro is a local classic, one of those places that everybody knows about and which is almost always busy. Lots of typical dishes from tortillitas de camarones to bacalao frito, and if you’re in the restaurant try the rice with squid ink. Just what you need before a walk along the sea front.

San Félix 15
Tel 956 211 068
Cádiz
€ € € €

Food 9 | Wine 8 | Service 7| Ambiance 7

marinated sardines on toast

el faro chocos chocos fritos (fried cuttlefish)

el faro croquetas pargo & bacaloa croquettes

king prawns in crispy pastry

el faro pavia pavía de bacalao with wasabi over quince creme

el faro pavia on plate pavía on plate

tortillitas de camarones

judiones with smoked fish

Casa Manteca

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Shawn

Updated July 2017

The perfect place to start a tapeo in Cádiz, Casa Manteca (literally “House of Lard”) specialises in excellent charcuterie. Favourites include the fried chicharrones (pork scratchings), mojama (air-cured tuna), and morcilla de higado (liver black pudding), washed down with a sherry or two. But for me the star dish is the chicharrones especiales (thinly sliced pork belly served with a sprinkle of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon).

The atmosphere is very old style, with walls covered in bullfighting photos and memorabilia, but despite a first impression of “only locals allowed”, the staff are very welcoming and the service is fast and friendly. There are always people coming and going so if it looks too packed when you first arrive just wait a few minutes for a space to open up at the bar or one of the small tables.

Also look for Antonio who has a permanent stall outside the bar selling seasonal treats such as erizo (sea urchins), camarones, ostiones and whelks. Buy a paper cone of his seafood delights and take them inside the bar to get a drink.