The 7 specialties of fish and seafood on the Atlantic coast of Andalusia and the Algarve
MALAGA : Espeto de sardina, conchas finas et boquerones al vinagre
The fish speciality in Malaga is the skewer of wood-grilled sardines, known locally as “espeto de sardinas”. It’s a typical, inexpensive and truly delicious dish. The sardines are well-cooked, with a crispy skin to be enjoyed with lemon, and it’s possible to eat them directly with your fingers, as Malaguenos do. The sardines are cooked over an olive wood fire, skewered on a bamboo spike for optimal cooking. The sardines are cooked in a traditional boat directly on the beach, a special feature of the Malaga region. Last but not least, it’s rich in OMEGA 3, which is very good for your health. The best places to try this speciality are the “chiringuitos” or beach restaurants in Pedregalejo or El Palo (Malaga’s east coast) or west of Malaga, in Torremolinos, on Los Alamos beach (easy to park).
Other local specialties: “conchas finas” with lemon or chilli, sardines in vinegar or chipirones fritos (small fried squid).
Restaurant : Parralelo (El Palo) park in the parking lot behind the El Candado marina.
Where to park: parking lot next to El Candado marina, El Palo district, Malaga East.
TARIFA: Bluefin tuna (atún rojo salvaje de almadraba)
Tarifa’s specialty is, of course, bluefin tuna, which is caught directly opposite Tarifa in the Strait of Gibraltar, but also in the villages of Barbate, Zahara de los atunes and Conil de la Frontera on the Atlantic coast towards Cadiz. This traditional, ancestral and unique fishery, known as Almadraba, begins in May and lasts for a limited time during the spring, when the tuna migrates to the Mediterranean, its breeding ground.
There are many typical tuna recipes, such as tuna tartare, tuna tataki, tuna with tomato and onion sauce, tuna a la plancha, etc. This is a real delicacy and one of the best places in Europe to enjoy this magnificent fish. Another very typical recipe is Tuna Mojama, to be enjoyed with a drizzle of olive oil and almonds, a tasty marvel. Made from dried tuna, it’s quite dry with a pronounced taste, but definitely worth discovering.
Restaurant: la Garrocha. gastrobar
La conservera de tarifa is another not-to-be-missed place to buy canned tuna.
Where to park: public parking lot, which is the closest to the city center.
CADIZ - Shrimp fritters (tortillas de camarones)
Thanks to its geographical location, clinging to a rock in the middle of the ocean on the western side of the Iberian Peninsula, Cadiz is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood, with a wide range of specialties. A typical specialty is the “tortilla de camarones”, a kind of fine, crunchy doughnut made with flour, onions, parsley and small Cadiz shrimps. It’s a truly unique, rich dish, usually served as an appetizer; not to be missed on your visit to Cadiz, also known as “Little Havana”.
Of course, there are many other specialties in Cadiz. Take a stroll through the historic center and near the covered market to discover the menus of typical Spanish restaurants. The market in Cadiz is magnificent, so take the opportunity to discover the wealth of local fishing and make a few purchases to fill the fridge in your converted van.
Restaurant : Taberna Casa Manteca
Where to park: Santa Catalina parking lot at the end of the peninsula
TAVIRA: Algarvian fish soup
Tavira is one of the first towns you come to after crossing the border into Spain on your way to Sagres in the Algarve. It’s the perfect gastronomic stop-off for sampling local specialities and discovering the seafood of southern Portugal: crabs, periwinkles, whelks, spider crabs, oysters, shrimps…. Tavira is located on a lagoon directly overlooking the ocean, and has a renowned fishing industry.
A typical dish is white fish soup with rice, tomatoes, chilli and lots of parsley, more commonly known as “el arroz de pescado a algarvia”. It’s a dish full of flavor, piping hot and perfect for regaining your strength before setting off again to discover this superb Algarve region with your converted van.
Restaurants :
. Jao Belhi, a small restaurant on the banks of the Gilao River.
. Agua Salgada Marisqueira, assorted seafood to eat in or take away.
Where to park :
Tavira, Rua Beatriz Costa. Quiet parking
Parking opposite the Agua Salada restaurant
SANTA LUZIA: The octopus capital
Santa Luzia is a small fishing village about 5kms west of Tavira, in the Algarve. It’s a must-see on your roadtrip in a converted van. The village’s specialty is fishing and cooking octopus. The fishermen use vases placed at the bottom of the sea to trap the octopus and bring it aboard their boats. The village is truly authentic, with its riverside promenade and nearby anchor cemetery. Have fun finding all the octopus statues in the alleyways, and whoever wins will be treated to a pasteis de nata in one of the local cafés.
Of course, we recommend the local specialty, Santa Luzia’s octopus leg. It’s a typical dish and this is of course the ideal place to enjoy this delicious dish.
Restaurant :
Zurrata, a beautiful family establishment with a fireplace, Bernardo the son takes the orders and his mother is in the kitchen. Very pretty restaurant on a cobbled square.Where to park:
Just outside Santa Luzia, up the river, there’s a parking lot for motorhomes.
ALVOR: Oysters from the lagoon
The Alvor lagoon is an exceptional natural site located between Lagos and Portimao, and a new gastronomic stopover not to be missed during your roadtrip in Portugal. This little paradise is ideal for hiking, biking and lounging to the rhythm of the tides on the basin. With your van in tow, you’ll be able to melt into this lush natural setting, and relax guaranteed.
On the lagoon you’ll find small oyster farms, including this secret address for our VanBreak customers: Ostralgarve, LDA, Viveiros de Ostros. You’ll be able to buy your oysters direct from this small producer for €5 / kilo. There are two sizes of oysters, small and large. We recommend small oysters for the low season, i.e. from November to March, for the best quality. For lemons, simply pick one or two from the tree at the entrance to this establishment.
Don’t hesitate to walk along the small stone dyke to reach the beach, which is very quiet with fine sand and guaranteed peace and quiet. This little beach is the ideal place for a good siesta after tasting your fresh oysters.
Oyster farmers: Ostralgarve, LDA, Viveiros de Ostros.
Where to park :
in the parking lot in front of the establishment, close to the basin (it’s possible to sleep on site).
LONGUEIRA : Portuguese seabass fish
Longueira is a typical Portuguese inland village, located south of Vila Nova de Milfontes, some ten kilometers from the Atlantic coast. It’s a great opportunity to get off the beaten track and find yourself in a small village in the middle of the countryside.
For this gourmet stopover, we recommend the O Josué restaurant, which has a very simple setting, but boasts an extremely varied seafood and fish menu. The speciality is sea bass with potatoes, sweet potatoes, lemons and tomatoes – a delight. The sea bass is cooked a la plancha, with garlic, olive oil and lemons. This is also an opportunity to enjoy shellfish as an appetizer with a local white wine (amêijoas).
Restaurant : O Josué
Where to park: parking opposite the O Josué restaurant or on the outskirts of the village.
Seduced by the 7 seafood specialties on the Atlantic coast of Andalusia and the Algarve?
Don’t hesitate to book your campervan for an extraordinary adventure.
See you soon under the Andalusian sun!
