Balandro is run by the Vélez brothers on the northern coast of Cadiz, close to the Museo de Cadiz and the picturesque Alameda Apodaca gardens, offering magnificent views out over the Bay of Cadiz. There’s a tapas bar as well as an à la carte menu to pick and choose from, with everything made from local ingredients including seafood sourced in the waters around Cadiz. On the à la carte menu are Galician-style starters like octopus with a mustard mayonnaise, smoked fish couscous with raisins and pine kernels, and a plate of Iberian cured meats.

Of all of the food places that I love in Cádiz, this is the one with the largest variety of food on offer – but don’t worry, there is no corresponding fall in quality. Balandro is divided into two sections: white linen-clad tables at the front and a bar area at the back. Do not be put off by the bar bit (which also has a few high stools and tables behind it) because the dishes are the same and the price is roughly half that if you were to order at one of the fancy tables.

A standby for me is Balandro (Alameda de Apodaca 22; 34/956/220-992; restaurantebalandro.com), a charming restaurant and tapas bar that's popular with students from the nearby university; overlooking the ocean, Balandro offers a great selection of fresh fish dishes, including succulent fishballs with clams and grilled cuttlefish with seafood-and-squid-ink sauce. Don't be put of by the slightly rough-and-tumble atmosphere of Cerveceria Marisqueria Aurelio (Calle Zorrilla 1; 34/956/221-031); this tapas bar pours a terrific variety of man-zanillas (a pale, dry sherry), which go nicely with the deep-fried whiting the locals love. Nearby, the ever popular El Aljibe (Calle Plocia 25; 34/956/266-656; grupogrosso. com) serves a menu of equally fine tapas, including pimientos stuffed with shrimp or creamy tetilla cheese, and delicate crepes filled with langoustines and cockles in bechamel sauce.

On a menu inspired by the sea and traditional Andalusian recipes, fish features just as much as meat. Your mouth will water just by reading the names of some of the dishes, such as ‘monkfish in almonds with mushroom and ham sauce’, and ‘chicken breast stuffed with ham and goat cheese in wild mushroom and bacon sauce’. And if you have a sweet tooth, you won’t be able to resist delicacies such as ‘yoghurt foam with honey and pistachio accompanied with goat cheese’, or ‘Nocilla and apricot tart with turrón ice cream’.

The last few of times I’ve been to Cádiz I’ve passed up on the opportunity to pay a first visit to Balandro, despite the fact that it came recommended and well-reviewed, and seems to be well-frequented, but this time I felt I could no longer evade my responsibilities. In the end, it turned out pretty much as I expected. The U-shaped bar and main dining area are in a slick modern style, and pleasant enough, but seem lacking in real warmth and personality.

Located in a unique enclave of the Cadiz geography, overlooking the Bay of Cadiz, they have one of the largest and most diverse tapas bars in all of Cadiz. Mediterranean dishes with Andalusian inspiration are served in a restaurant adorned with colonial furniture and glass walls. Situated in an extraordinary setting within the Cadiz region, this establishment stands as a balcony to the breathtaking Bay of Cadiz.

The Vélez brothers constitute this family business with more than 15 years of experience, a traditionally based restaurant that has evolved day by day to offer the best of Mediterranean cuisine, with seafood dishes made with fresh fruits from the bay of Cádiz. Direction: Alameda Apodaca, 22, 11004 Cádiz Schedule: Monday to Sunday from 13.00 a 16.30 h, and of 20.00 a 23.30 h.

On one of the evenings we enjoyed a delicious tapas restaurant (Balandro Restaurante) with our hosts which was in a beautiful location and treated us to some amazing food. We were feeling adventurous, so decided to try some of the local delicacies. Red tuna tartar, Tortillas des Camarones, fried Ortiguillas, fried sardines, milk cake….

The Balandro Restaurante is a Spanish restaurant in Cádiz which specialises in traditional Spanish dishes from Southern Spain. In particular, like many of the restaurants in the coastal town of Cádiz, the Balandro restaurant is particularly good at cooking authentic fish and seafood dishes.

Situado en un enclave único de la geografía gaditana, balcón a la Bahía de Cádiz.Tienen una de las barras de tapas más grandes y variadas de todo Cádiz.Platos mediterráneos de inspiración andaluza en restaurante con mobiliario colonial y paredes acristaladas.

Balandro (00 34 956 220 992, restaurantebalandro.com) is another popular dining option. It boasts a lovely spot overlooking the sea, and a vibrant, young atmosphere. Make sure you try the boquerones en vinagre de Jerez (fried anchovies in sherry vinegar).

Features: Reservations | Full Bar | Vegetarian-Friendly | Vegan and Gluten-Free Options | Highchairs Available | Wheelchair Accessible | Table Service. Opening Hours: Open | 1:00 PM – 4:15 PM | 8:00 PM – 11:15 PM. Contact: +34 956 22 09 92

– Balandro: An unassuming restaurant near Parque Genoves and Flamenco bar La Cava. Watch plates of ortiguillas and their pinchos de langostinos pass by you and follow suit.

En la misma Avda de la Constitución del pueblo Barbate, se encuentra el Restaurante Taberna El Campero, un lugar por el que es imp