Dining out in Rota

RESTAURANTS IN ROTA

The following is an excerpt from the Food section of my book, "Welcome to Rota." I should add that most local restaurants maintain Facebook pages instead of websites, so for the most up-to-date info, check their Facebook page.

           There are numerous dining options in Rota, from small family-owned restaurants, to nightclubs, beachside bars, or ethnic food from countries around the world. The author has not personally been to every restaurant, and cannot account for changes in menus, ownership, or quality since publication. Many of the smaller restaurants offer similar menus of traditional Spanish fare, as described previously in this chapter. But some of the restaurants that are popular with Americans are reviewed below. Keep in mind that Spanish hours are 1-3 pm for lunch, and 8-11 pm for dinner, unless otherwise noted. Most restaurants are closed on Mondays. (Information was accurate at printing date, 2014).

BAR GOMEZ: This is one of the best locations for a traditional Spanish breakfast. They open early and serve giant bocadillos (sub sandwiches) covered with fried eggs, meat, cheese, tomatoes, and/or tortilla. Their smaller sandwiches are guatangas, served on a hot dog-sized roll. The menu is available until the afternoon. The bread is fresh and crusty, and all the other ingredients are fresh too. Since each sandwich is only 2 Euros, you’ll probably pay more for your coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice. It’s a very small, casual bar located at Calle de Rubén Darío, 19 (near the giant hands circle). Street parking only.

BADULAQUE: This great restaurant is located on Rota’s main boardwalk, with wonderful views of the beach. It is in the Plaza Jesús Nazareno, 5. Closed on Tuesdays. They offer somewhat traditional seafood and meat dishes, but with a modern flair. It’s a great place to stop for tapas and get a sampling of several dishes at once. They also have an extensive wine selection. Prices are moderate to expensive. There are a few parking spaces on the plaza, but in summer plan to walk or take a cab. We usually park in the harbor (free in winter, fees in summer), then walk along the paseo for about 10 minutes until we reach it.

100 MONTADITOS: This is a fast-food chain that can be found throughout Spain. Here, it is in the Plaza Jesús Nazareno, across from Badulaque. A montadito is a small bun topped with meat, cheese, or seafood salad—like a small sandwich. They offer 100 different varieties on their menu. You fill out your order at the table, using the menu numbers, then turn it in at the counter. Plan to eat 2 or 3 different sandwiches if you are hungry, since each is only a few bites. The food is cheap quality, but offers a surprising variety of Spanish flavors, and it is served very quickly. This is also a great place to watch the boardwalk or the sunset throughout the summer season. Prices are inexpensive, and parking is limited. Wednesdays are 1 Euro day, where the entire menu is 1 Euro.

PARRILLA LOS ARGENTINOS: This is a small, but wonderful, restaurant in Rota loaded at Avda. Principes de España 74. It is one of the few restaurants open on a Monday, (closed Wednesdays) and also one of the few places to get a good steak. Parrilla means 'grill.' Their specialty is grilled Argentinian beef, and a half steak is delicious—lots of marbling, good flavor, and very tender. They boast other 'typical Argentinian dishes' but also have plenty of typical Spanish dishes, like fried cheese, grilled prawns, and grilled swordfish. Most dishes are served with a side of fries. Desserts include ice cream, and a flan that is very rich and smooth. The service here is at a slower pace. Prices range from average to high for a family meal. They have a child's menu. Expect to park on the street and walk a block or two, as the restaurant is located on a busy corner with no parking.

LAS TINAJAS: Located just outside Rota, on the road towards Chipiona (A-491), Las Tinajas is a great parrilla venta (which means roadside grill). Their wood-burning oven gives a great smoky flavor to kabobs, steaks, and grilled entrees. They have an excellent menu, good quality food, and delicious appetizers.  This restaurant is child-friendly, since it has a kids’ menu and a playground outside. It is popular for lunch or dinner. Prices moderate. Parking lot on site. You will see the restaurant on your left while driving on the A-491, but must drive past it to the next road and make a left off the highway there.

BAR LA FERIA: This tiny local bar, located in the old town of Rota on the pedestrian street Calle Mina 42, is a great place to taste some authentic Spanish food, and even see a small flamenco show! The shows are Friday evenings at 7:30 pm. The small stage only allows room for 1 guitarist, 1 singer, and 1 dancer, but the setting is intimate and allows you to rub elbows with locals. There is a fixed price menu including local favorites like jamón, fried peppers, garlic shrimp, or pork loin, with beverages included. Price for the dinner and show for two people is 50 Euros. It is located on a pedestrian street, so plan to walk or take a cab.

TAKIKO'S: This is an Asian restaurant that is a favorite with many base families. They are located on a small cul-de-sac off Avda. de la Diputation. Address is Torres de Banos 2 in Rota. They open at 6 pm for dinner. The cuisine is Japanese, Chinese, and Thai. They have a small selection of sushi dishes, a good selection of standard Chinese dishes and fried rice, and several spicy Thai items. The staff is Chinese and British, so they all speak English. This is one of the most relaxed and family friendly place we have visited! Instead of bread, the starter is shrimp rice cakes, which are very light and tasty. The portion sizes are reasonable on site and large for delivery. On site you can also choose from the buffet instead of ordering a la carte. The sushi is ok, not great. The dishes labeled caliente do indeed have a spicy punch. The chicken and shrimp fried rice sides are delicious, and large enough to share with the whole table. Prices are low to reasonable for a family, and they deliver to the base Rota gate. There is no parking on site, so expect to park on the street and walk a block or so.

LA DOLCE VITA: This tiny restaurant above Rota’s port has some of the best Italian food in the area. Address is Calle Perez de Bedoya 13. Park near the port and walk up the stairs to reach it. The menu is limited to a handful of appetizers and pasta dishes, but everything is rich and extremely flavorful, made with very high quality fresh ingredients. Portions are small but very filling, and prices are moderate to high. Great date night destination, but reservations are necessary because of the limited space.

PIZZA Y PASTA: Avda de la Diputation 148. This is a great casual restaurant that is actually open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast and lunch they serve delicious sandwiches (bocadillos) on which you can order Manchego cheese, eggs, tomatoes, jamón, or deli sliced ham (jamón York). These come on fresh, soft bread rolls drizzled with olive oil. For dinner, they have a large selection of pizza toppings and fried dishes, as well as a small selection of pasta. The pizza is good—thin crust, minimal sauce, lots of cheese—but nothing special. Their Mexican dishes are tasty but not particularly authentic. Prices are low and reasonable for a family. The location is casual booths and tables, but they also have tables on the sidewalk with umbrellas and space heaters. They are located directly across from the natural park on the northwest edge of Rota. There is a small parking lot in front of the restaurant. They also deliver to the base.

SHANZA: There are several Shanza locations in Rota. The closest is by the circle with the giant hands: Avda. San Fernando, 56. Each of the three locations offers a tasty menu of Indian food: chicken, shrimp, or lamb curries, tikka, and tandoori dishes served over several kinds of rice, with assorted Nan bread accompaniments. You can request food that is moderate or spicy. Their prices are low to average, and the food is delicious and good quality. They are open for lunch and dinner every day, with early dinner hours several days per week. They deliver to base at the Rota gate.

LA ALMADRABA: Currently, this is the restaurant you will visit during ICR class. It is on the west edge of Rota, on the one-way road that runs parallel to the beach: Avda de la Diputation 140. The restaurant has a bar side which is more casual, and a dining side which has white tablecloths and china settings. They have plenty of starters such as cheese, lightly fried peppers, and prawns. The entree list is short, but delicious. The kebabs hang vertically in a special stand over your plate. They are tender and well-seasoned. The fish stew Rota style has large chunks of white rockfish in a typical tomato and green pepper stew. Mild, but satisfying flavors. There is no kids' menu, but there are croquettes and chicken nuggets. This is not a particularly family-friendly restaurant. The food prices range from moderate to high for a family. There is street parking available directly in front of the restaurant. 

And here are some newer restaurants that are not featured in the book, but are increasingly popular with Americans:

Argos (by the port) which has a bounce house outside, serves wonderful casual seafood

The Steakhouse

Sedona, Southwestern food in the hotel La Esperanza, near the Feria grounds. Also has a great Sunday brunch.

El Espadero at Plaza Triumphano, just outside the base gate, home cooked traditional Spanish meals

The Slice (pizza)
Bodegon la Fuente, good traditional paella and sangria