Tapas Route 3 Tapas Trail 3

Tapas Route 3 Tapas Trail 3

Ruta De La Tapa Nerja

I like to think of this route as more of a fish experience. Red meat is available, but the places we visit have more of a fish theme. All of these bars are within a 2 minute walk of each other.

Lets start off at the La Mariposa (Butterfly) restaurant. Butterfly thankfully is not on the recipe tonight. Mind you with some of the stuff the Spanish eat, who knows, but let's not go down that route.
Mariposa can be found on Calle Almirante Ferrandiz, going up the hill, almost near the top. This place appears to have changed hands a few times in the last 4 years, and is mainly an authentic local bar with a few tourists. There is a wicker fence outside with seating. However it is very near to the road and the associated noises and smells. Nevertheless a nice bar with a fair selection. Try the Chorizo sausage.

La Mariposa

La Mariposa Nerja

Leaving the Mariposa, turn right and head up the hill. First turning on the right is Calle La Habana, junction of Calle De Garcia Alted is Bar Cangrejo. Wow, this is one of my favourites on the Tapas run. If you think La Mariposa is authentic then visit this place. With the complete lack of English being spoken and populated by locals this is a 'point and eat' experience. Just remember 'Pescado' is fish and 'Carne' (As in Chilli) is meat. Don't even go down the Veggie, gluten free, road. Tapas can be anything from some sort of Russian salad to whole fish. There are tables outside at the side of the bar with locals old ladies sitting on their chairs outside their houses, with spindly legs and why do they insist in having their knees apart? Anyway, now that you have been put off your food, you must go there. Excellent tapas. I like the Black pudding, morcilla. As you can see although a fish trail, I prefer the carne options.

Bar Cangrejo.

Bar Cangrejo Nerja

Leaving Bar Cangrejo, turn left and head down Calle De Garcia. This is a narrow, almost alley with cars parked alongside the house. At the bottom, turn left and opposite you will see an even narrower alleyway. Calle Santiago. Go down about 50 Metres and on the left is a small turning. This is Calle Bolivia or Calle San Pedro, they roll into the one! Almost immediately you will see 2 bars in front of you. Opposite each other. The alley is so narrow that the sun blind from one covers the other. Both bars are owned by the same person and called La Puntilla. You want the bar on the right, going down the hill. The one on the left is for the posh people that want a conventional restaurant. What can I say about La Puntilla? Well is it populated by locals and tourists alike. Very busy. Very noisy. Especially if you can get in there when Malaga FC are playing on the TV! Wide selection of fish dishes. I like the Gambas (Prawns) cooked with garlic in oil. The wine glasses come quite full as well which is always a bonus.

La Puntilla.

La Puntilla Nerja

Come out of La Puntilla, and turn right, heading down the hill. After approx. 2 minutes you will see on the right hand side Bar Dolores El Chispa. Again a noisy local bar (Especially football night), full of fish tapas, children running around, Grandad sitting at the bar, and an all round great authentic Spanish bar. As always there is a friendly smile and fast service.

Bar Dolores El Chispa

Bar Dolores El Chispa Nerja

On the basis you can still stand and have reasonable eye/leg co-ordination turn right out of Bar Dolores El Chispa and head to the junction. You should be in Calle Ruperto Anduez. Turn right and head down the hill. Her we find the last bar on the tour, Rincon Del Sabor (Corner of flavour). I am not sure what to make of this place. The tapas and drink in here is excellent. The actual bar reminds me of some sort of ex pats, with Spanish influence, from the 1970's. I cant put my finger on it. Anyway the TV, in Spanish (What else) is always on showing some game show, the friendly ex pat drunk (Not me) at the end of the bar, and this place is great! Just not sure why I like it so much. But as I say fantastic food and drink. Thoroughly recommend it.

Rincon Del Sabor.

Bar Rincon Del Sabor Nerja