La Niña Adela, Tapas bar in Ronda, Andalucia, Spain

Updated February 2017

So you know that feeling going back to a place you only visited once, almost five years ago, and you’re hoping it will be as wonderful as you remembered it? Well I am very happy to report that La Niña Adela is still just as wonderful and is a not to be missed spot in Ronda. Serving up fabulous home-style cooking in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, this family-run tapas bar specializes in seafood and traditional Spanish dishes with a few innovative touches. It’s a bit out of the centre, near the train and bus stations, but as Ronda isn’t that big it actually isn’t hard to get to.

When the weather is nice the buzzy terraza is the place to be where Alonso (son of Encarna – the daughter of Adela) greets you with a friendly “hola familia!” and takes very good care of you. The bar has had a make-over since 2012 and is all pretty white-trimmed pale blues and greens with soft lighting. La Niña herself is now retired, but as luck would have it she turned up while we were there so I got to update their photos.

I recommend the “gambas pil-pil”, sizzling plump prawns in hot garlicky olive oil, and the delicious pork meatballs in salsa. And be sure to check out the daily specials. This is the place to go when you feel like feeling at home.