Restaurants in Puerto

RESTAURANTS IN PUERTO

VENTA EL NENE: This tiny restaurant, located just outside the Puerto gate at the first traffic circle, is famous for its giant tortilla and “American style” breakfast. Their tortilla is the size of a large cake, and can feed a whole family. You can get a traditional one made with just potatoes, onions, and eggs, which is quite delicious, or you can have added flavors like peppers or meats. Prices are very reasonable. The American breakfast menu includes items like pancakes, waffles, omelets, or grits, which simply cannot be found at many other Spanish restaurants. They are open daily from 7 am- 9 pm.

PARRILLA BAILEY’S: A wonderful grill located not far from the Puerto gate, at Calle del Curricán, 2. They have a huge outdoor playground for the kids, and indoor or outdoor dining options. The menu includes delicious grilled fish, steak, or kebab options at moderate to high prices. Open for lunch on weekends, and dinner at 7 pm every day. Parking on site.

EL ULTIMO: This tiny bar is located just outside the Fuentabravia gate. They offer mainly tapas and drinks, which can be enjoyed in a comfortable setting of sofas and lounge chairs. Most hot dishes are simple fried foods, but very tasty and well prepared. They are open daily from 10 am- midnight, so it’s a great place to meet for coffee or a light meal.

VENTA LA RUFANA: Located on the CA-603, 2.2 kilometers from base, just off a traffic circle across from Maxi Dia, this family-owned restaurant is a great place to get a taste of local Spanish cooking. It is sometimes referred to as “chicken in the dirt” because of their famous garlic chicken dish and their dirt parking lot. The homemade food includes delicious fish and meat dishes at moderate prices. They are open during Spanish hours only, and do NOT accept credit cards.

BAR JAMON: A fancy place for some high-quality Spanish cuisine in a relaxing setting. It is located at Glorieta Molino Platero, near the Puerto Feria grounds. The prices are high, but the food is designed to impress. There is live piano music performed on the weekends. Hours are Spanish, and there is parking on site.

CRÊFONDUE: A chain restaurant that serves both crêpes and fondue? Sounds like a perfect date night location! The one in Puerto Sherry overlooks the beach, and has amazing views of Cádiz and the sunset. It is located at Pueblo Marinero Local 100, but you will have to park at one end of the port or the other and walk the street along the beach until you come to the string of restaurants including a gin bar, sushi bar, Blanco Paloma, and then Crêfondue at the end. Parking in summer is very limited. The appetizers and desserts are amazing! Savory crêpes for a main course are average. Also offers sandwiches and salads. Prices are a little high, even compared to other restaurants on that street. Open daily from 10:30 am- Midnight, and reservations are recommended for dinner.

BLANCO PALOMA has two locations: one in Puerto Sherry, and one near the Feria grounds. The one in Puerto Sherry is right next to Crêfondue, described above, and has the same amazing ocean views. The other is located at Calle Paloma Zurita, 1. Both have the same extensive pizzeria menu, with a great selection of sandwiches, pizza, pasta dishes, salads, and appetizers. The food is always delicious, particularly salads and pastas, and the prices are reasonable. They are closed on Wednesdays, open during Spanish lunch and dinner through the week, and stay open from 1pm- midnight on weekends. The Puerto Sherry restaurant is a great location to take visitors for a good meal with a great view.

VENTA LA FERIA: This is THE place to go for paella in Puerto. They specialize in different paella dishes, and have a large number on the menu, ranging from meat to seafood to vegetarian paellas, with traditional yellow or even rare black rice, flavored with squid ink. Keep in mind that paella is prepared fresh, and takes at least 30 minutes to cook, so the wait can be long—but worth it. Paella is usually portioned to be shared with 2 or more people, so the table must agree on one dish. Average price is 20 Euros per person. From base, take the 491 past the Puerto Feria grounds, and take the exit after the Feria grounds to Carretera de Sanlúcar (A-2001). The restaurant is immediately on your left. Parking is available on site.

LITTLE ITALY: While the Italian food here is average quality pizza and pasta, the location is popular because it has an indoor play area for children, allowing adults to relax in the upscale ambiance. The menu has plenty of great salad, pasta, and pizza options, as well as a few meat dishes. Prices are moderate to high. They are open daily for lunch and dinner, during Spanish hours. The address is Carretera Sanlúcar, 4 (right next to Bamboo Sushi). Parking is available in the dirt lot right out front.

BAMBOO SUSHI: This is one of the best sushi restaurants in the area. They have high quality ingredients, and a menu that includes sushi, maki, rolls, and sashimi. Portions are small, so plan to order several items. Prices per roll start at 3 Euros and go up to 8 Euros for rainbow rolls. They are located at Carretera Sanlúcar, 4 (right next to Little Italy) and have parking available in front. Closed Monday, open for lunch and dinner during Spanish hours.

SHAMROCK: A new Irish bar and restaurant that has become a big hit with Americans and Spanish, not only because of its convenient location near the Puerto gate, but also because of the excellent menu and the personal attention from the chef owner. From the Puerto gate, go ‘straight’ through two traffic circles, and it will be on your left. The basic menu includes great fish and chips, hamburgers, and pub appetizers, while the daily specials feature a burger of the day and spicy dishes. Prices are moderate, and parking is available on site. Open for dinner weekdays, and from Noon on weekends.

EL SITIO DE VELÉZ: This is a great, modern Spanish restaurant in the downtown port area of Puerto. Delicious tapas, salads, entrées, and desserts, all served with a modern flair and accompanied by quality wines. The menu is prepared with traditional Spanish ingredients, but with a new twist of additional foods and flavors that make each dish unique. Prices are high, reflecting the upscale ingredients and presentation. It is located at Plaza Galeras Reales, 3 with parking a few blocks away. They open for dinner at 8 pm.

The above is an excerpt from the book, 'Welcome to Rota,' published in 2014 by Lizann Lightfoot. Restaurants, menus, prices, and hours are subject to change.