It’s been said that Cadiz lays claim to the invention of tapas. Enjoy!

Tapas Bars

Taberna Casa Manteca 

Head for Calle Corralón de los Carros, 66, in the Barrio de la Viña for chicharrones and its old time (1953) tavern atmosphere. Owned by the late bullfighter Pepe Manteca, it is now in the hands of the third generation of the Manteca family, Tomás and Pepe. Open everyday from 12 noon until 4:00 pm and 8:30 pm to midnight. Expect it to be packed. Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s. In the Macarfi Guide and has a Repol Solete.

Tel: (+34) 956 213 603

Taberna Las Banderas

You’ll find another interesting wine/tapas bar just a short walk down the street at the corner of Callejones and Virgen de las Penas, in the Barrio de la Viña. It orginally opened in 1892 and finally reopened in late 2022 after being closed for some 30 years. It is now in the hands of the partners Antonio Hernández Rodicio, Fernando Pérez Cabrales, Oscar González and Javier Juárez. There is a private room for up to a dozen diners, and a terrace with high tables. Closed Sunday evenings and Tuesdays. Received a Solete from Repsol in 2023. Well worth a stop.

Tel: (+34) 856 381 032

La Tabernita

This busy, inexpensive family-run mini wine bar, opened by Rafael Bueno, Inés González and their son Rafael Bueno González in 2011, has a long list of tapas and can be found at Calle Virgen de la Palma, 32. Be sure to be there when they open at 1:30 for lunch or 8:30 for dinner or you’ll have come back another day. Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Awarded a Repol Solete in the fall of 2023.

Tel: (+34) not available

Taberna la Sorpresa 

In an alley at Callejón Arbolí, 4, in barrio de San Juan. Opened in 1956, you’ll enjoy its charming atmosphere of an old grocery store/tavern. It was closed for awhile but reopened in 2013 under new management after a remodel. Go there for the finest almadraba-caught tuna prepared in several different guises, tartar, sashimi, ventresca, etc. Excellent wine selection and sherrys in the cast from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, El Puerto de Santa María and Jerez. Received a Repol Solete in 2023.

Tel: (+34) 956 221 232

Mesón Cumbres Mayores 

Head to  Calle Zorrilla, 4, for Iberian pork dishes, tapas at the bar or a sit down meal. More than a hundred years ago, on what was then Calle Del Puerto, it was a beer and soft drink factory; “Cerveza inglesa y alemán de Carlos Maier”. Over the years became a key meeting point for Cádiz. One of the partners, Isidoro Cárdeno, owns Cumbres Mayores (Huelva), so the jamón is top notch. You’ll find the bar is always busy. The rustic-style restaurant (1999) is open daily for lunch reservations from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, and in the evenings from 8:00 to 9:45 pm.

Tel: (+34) 856 072 242 / 956 213 270

Listán Wine Tasca 

You’ll find a large selection of some 200 wines by the glass selected by Sommelier Jonatan Cantero, and tapas, in the center of Cádiz at Plaza San Antonio, 10. There are 220 wines Cádiz alone out of more than 450 to choose from. It received a Repsol Solete in 2023.

Tel: (+34) 647 550 574

La Candela Tapas Bar

This is a small space recommended in the Repsol Guide a few meters from the Plaza de Candelaria at Calle Feduchy, 3. Outside there is a terrace with 5 tables. Open daily. Offers two market fresh menus; Pica Pica for 40€ and Candela for 44€, drinks included. They also serve breakfast.

Tel: (+34) 956 221 822

Parador de Cádiz

Don’t hesitate to stop by the Parador at Avda. Duque de Nájera, 9, for tapas in a more informal setting. La Tacita del Atlántico, overlooks the water. For a more formal setting, there is the Restaurante del Parador de Cádiz, with views of the sea and the Bay of Cadiz.

Tel: (+34) 956 226 905

Ventorrillo el Chato

Located near Playa del Chato between Cádiz and San Fernando at Avenida Vía Augusta Julia, S/N. It dates from a time when flamenco stars like Lola Flores and Camarón danced for the customers. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sundays for dinner only. Offers a tasting menu for 64€. Excellent wine list. Recommended in the Repsol Guide 2024.

Tel: (+34) 956 250 025 / 626 386 518

Tiento Abacería

The La Marmita Cádiz Group’s tapas bar can be found at Calle Buenos Aires, 5-7, just down from Plaza de San Antonia and a few minutes walk from the Museo de Cádiz. Wines and beer by the glass. Specializing in Almadraba tuna. Recommended in both the Michelin and Repsol guides.

Tel/WhatsApp: (+34) 956 215 227

La Tapería de Columela

Can be found in the in the historic center of Cadiz at Calle Columela, 4. Serves Sánchez Romero Carvajal. Open daily, always busy so arrive early. Listed in the Macarfi Guide.

Tel: (+34) 856 063 205

Bodeguita El Adobo

You’ll find this very small tapas bar, with a large terrace on the pedestrianised street at Calle Rosario, 4. It orginally opend in 1987 before being taken over in the 1990s and is now run by Paco Abeijón “Paquito el Adobo”. Not your usual selection of tapas, one which is marinated moray eel. Received a Repsol Solete in 2021 and is recommended in the Azahar Tapas Guide. Closed Monday evenings.

Tel: (+34) 636 814 675

El Chicuco

This grocery store and ajoining tapas/wine bar is located at Plaza de San Juan de Dios, 16 and is a modern version of the citys grocery stores, food stores with an attached bar, reopened in December 2015. They specialize in their own El Chicuco brand of Iberian jamón. Has a Repsol Solete. Open from 12:00 noon until 4:00 pm and from 8:30 pm until midnight. Closed Sundays.

Tel: (+34) 693 706 399

Ultramarinos Bar El Veedor

Another interesting tapas bar with a long history, it was once a typical Cádiz grocery store, can be found at the corner of Calle veedor Esq, Calle Vea Murguía. Orginally opened in 1850, it has endured many changes over the years. It is now owned by the Chicón family who took over in 1976. Open daily from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm and in the evenings from 7:30 to midnight.

Tel: (+34) 956 212 694

Bar Ultramarinos El Cañón

Another small tapas bar that you might find worth a stop can be found around the corner from the Sherry bar Taberna La Manzanilla at Calle Rosario, 49. Popular with locals, it was originally opened in 1901 by businessmen nicknamed “montañeses”, coming from the La Montaña, Cantabria, and used as a wharehouse selling groceries, later becoming famous for its small sandwiches of sausages and preserves. Closed in 2007, it was reopened in 2009 and is now run by Ana Zamora Álvarez, daughter of the owner. Authentic and known for its expertly prepared dishes. There is a bar with some tables inside and a small terrace. Closed Sunday evening and Tuesday.

Tel: (+34) 856 191 300

Sherry Bars

Don’t leave Cádiz without dropping in for a glass or two

Taberna La Manzanilla

The authenic family-owned Sherry bar, which some consider the best sherry bar in Cadiz, can be found at Calle Feduchy, 3. The Sherry is served with two olives stuffed with anchovy to rest the palate. Originally opened in 1932, the family took over in 1942 selling only Sanlúcar wines and is now run by Pepe, the third generation of the García family. Open from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm and in the evenings from 7:30 until 10:30 pm. Closed on Sundays and bank holidays. Featured in Azahar Tapas.

Tel: (+34) 956 285 401