Updated September 2017
Located in Spain’s only octagonal square, Arxiduna is made even more unique by its natural cave dining areas, which were once used as a Mozárabe church and have been declared a Heritage site by the Andalucía government. There are three such dining areas inside along with a cosy bar area, and a spacious terrace with lovely views out in the square.
The first time I visited I was there on my own, and the chef kindly offered to create a tasting menu of some of his favourite dishes so I could try a few different things. This took me into a world of fusion food that was all very good (even – surprisingly – the tuna with chocolate!) but for my personal taste there were a few too many sauces. Simpler dishes like the calamar bocata and the grilled abanico (pork) worked best for me. More recently I visited with friends and we were able to try more dishes between us. I definitely recommend you stop in when you’re in Archidona – great atmosphere, fab staff, and a menu that has something for everyone.
Plaza Ochavada de Andalucía, 7
Archidona
Tel 658 77 03 46
€ € € €
Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 9
the bar
porra with purple carrot crumble, olive oil foam, tomato
pringá “sabor a madre”
whack of mini burgers
boquerones in flaky pastry
BBQ’d pork ribs
chargrilled octopus with guacamole and oyster sauce
mackerel with pickled veg and tuna in dark chocolate
grilled sea bass with fresh grilled veg and berberecho sauce
moroccan chicken pastela with dried fruit and apple sauce
bocata de calamares on a squid ink bun with mustard alioli
chicken curry risotto with coconut milk and parmesan,
served in a beef bone
putaitas (abanico Ibérico) with peppers, mango and black garlic
grilled presa Ibérica with mojo picón
vanilla and chocolate coulantes with berries
open kitchen with charcoal grill
Team Arxiduna
one of the cave dining rooms
terrace view
Updated September 2017
“matrimonio” – Cantabrian anchovy and boquerón en vinagre
grilled hotdog with pear alioli and tomato jam
grilled mushrooms with jamón
avocado filled flamenquín
breaded rosada
grilled presa Ibérica
goat cheese with tomato jam
lomo a la sal with rosemary, poppyseeds, potato parmentier
spinach and pinenut croquetas
chorizo croquetas
croquetas de setas with beetroot mayo
breaded rabbit ribs
papas bravas
papas with payoyo cheese
battered fried fish
morcilla tartare with apple, served with mango-mustard sauce
salchichón burger with spicy tomato sauce
chorizo burger
lomo de orza on confit potatoes and toast
chorizo espeto with PX
frothy lemony foam dessert
drunken bizcocho
the recipe for almojábana
owner and chef Charo Carmona
two rondas of churros
mollete with (lots of!) serrano ham and tomato
the bar
secreto al ajillo – as disgusting as it looks
sizzling king prawns al ajillo – much better
stewed pluma Ibérica
churrasco a la parrilla
grilled chorizo criollo
secreto Ibérico
breaded secreto Ibérico
garlicky grilled presa Ibérica
albóndigas en salsa
stewed pork tongue
flamenquín
grilled paleta Ibérica
tender stewed abanico Ibérico in PX sauce
grilled presa Ibérica
Alfonso pouring beers
bar area
dining area
pig parts
Best. Beertaps. Ever.
amontillado and manzanilla fina
olorosos
amontillado fino
owner Pepe
venenciador
Cantabrian anchovy and jamón Iberico
chalkboard menu
Andreea, Soraya & Ana
entrance
open kitchen
jamón and setas croquetas
tuna tempura with tomato, parmesan & oregano sauce
chicharrones de Cádiz with cheese and sun-dried tomatoes
mixed green salad with tempura sardines, parmesan,
veggie tempura with soy mayo
wagyu burger
grilled beef platter
Santiago, Pejie, co-owneres Carmen & Victor, Carmen, Lourdes
window seat
dining area
Sunday diners
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.
apple strudel with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream
picatostes gaditanos – a house speciality
cava “benjamín”
Irish coffees
massive G & T
grilled prawns
clams in garlic and olive oil
boquerones al limón
lamb moruno
chistorra onna stick
salmonetes (red mullet)
