Tarifa is full of great places to satisfy insatiable hunger or to simply indulge in tasty treats. Some of the restaurants listed here are only open during the spring and summer months because restaurant owners are tourists themselves, vacationing in Tarifa.

Among the most popular cuisines in Tarifa are Italian and French. It's easy to walk aimlessly around the city and discover your own favorite spot, which I recommend doing, but if you're pressed for time or energy, here are a few places to get you started. Keep in mind that Spaniards eat lunch (la comida) from about 2 to 4 in the afternoon while dinner (la cena) doesn't usually start until at least 8.

Café Azul (Batalla del Salado): Probably one of the hippest and tastiest places to have breakfast or just grab coffee. Café Azul has a full breakfast menu complete with crepes, a muesli bowl, smoothies and fresh fruit served until 2pm. Not only is the food great, but the greenhouse atmosphere makes you feel like you are starting the morning right, even if it is one o'clock in the afternoon. If nothing else, the café will keep you visually entertained with quirky decorating details, such as hairless dolls in potted plants.

Café Zumo (Sancho IV El Bravo, 26B): A breakfast place located on the main drag in the old part of town. This café's specialty is fresh fruit smoothies that run about 5 euros or less.

Café Central (Sancho IV El Bravo): One of the most popular places among tourists as it is located in the center of the old town's main drag (as its name indicates). A great place to do some people-watching because of its central location, but it's not necessary to buy more than just coffee to do this. If you decide to eat here, entrees usually run around 10 euros while tapas cost about 5 euros.

Dolce Vita (Plaza San Martín): Specializes in Italian-style breakfasts and ice cream. This is a small café with a lot of charm and great outdoor seating.

La Mediterranea (Plaza San Martín): I ate here my first night in Tarifa and no meal afterwards was able to top it. This family-owned and operated restaurant serves up Italian cuisine, specializing in dishes specifically from Naples, the owners' origin. One of the restaurant's specialties is pizza frita (fried pizza), a sort of deep-fried calzone. For dessert try their home-made Tiramisu. The prices are a bit high for those on a budget (8 to 15 euros per entrée), but you'll find that spending a couple of extra euros is really worth the taste.

Pizza y Pasta Fresca (C/ San Francisco): This pizzeria serves up pizza by the slice until late night. It's a great place to grab a bite on your way out or after a few drinks at the bars. You'll recognize it by the small mob that forms outside the doors around midnight. Be prepared to eat in the street, because the pizzeria isn't much more than a literal hole in the wall.

Pizzeria La Tabla (Huerta del Rey): A cheap option for the pizza lover on a budget. Here, you can get pizza, pasta or salad, all for less than five euros. The pizza is nothing gourmet, but it's decent and is usually more than enough to satisfy a hungry belly.

La Casa de Comidas La Paz (Plaza de la Paz): This new, hip restaurant just opened in the summer of 2002 and features a gourmet-type menu accompanied by a stylish atmosphere. Prices run a little high, but it's worth it to stop in at least once to plop yourself down on a comfy couch and admire the decorating, paintings and sculptures that are featured all over the interior.

Ali Baba Falafel (Sancho IV El Bravo): If pizza is not your thing and you're looking for a quick, cheap bite, stop at Ali Baba's and grab falafel (3 euros). It's typical of the kebab stands that can be found all throughout Andalucía.

Restaurante Iris (C/ San Sebastian, 10): I never actually ate here, but always passed it on my way to the grocery store and wanted to try it. It's a small restaurant that specializes in Greek dishes that look and smell delicious.

El Perulero (Plaza San Hiscio, 2): You can get typical Spanish fare here for around 10 euros a plate. But what sets this restaurant apart from others is that they provide live local music in the plaza at least once a week. Whether the music is something you'll enjoy is just a roll of the dice.

Questions?
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