The coastal town of Cadaqués may be small, but it has a bubbling culinary scene, much of which has to do with its stunning Mediterranean location in northern Catalonia.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to quality seafood eateries with incredible views and even Salvador Dalí’s favourite restaurant, discover our pick of the best spots to eat in Cadaqués.
Es Baluard
Restaurant, Seafood, Spanish, $$$
One of the best seafood restaurants in town is Es Baluard. It’s located upstairs, right along the sweep of the bay and offers stunning views of the fishing boats bobbing along the shore. Dishes include offerings such as seafood croquettes, crab rice, grilled monkfish and steak with fries. Like many traditional Spanish places, there is not much on the menu for vegetarians, but if you ask here, they will happily do a huge platter of grilled seasonal vegetables. Leave room for the tasty desserts and local Empordà wines.
Michelin-starred Compartir is housed in an elegant 18th-century building and is headed up by the three chefs Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro and Eduard Xatruch. The three friends met 20 years earlier in the kitchens of the famous El Bulli and in 2012 decided to open their own place. As the name suggests (‘compartir’ means to share), its menu is filled with small dishes designed for sharing. Expect modern creative plates such as artichokes with raisins and a vanilla sorbet; steamed mussels with peas and an Iberian pork cream; or sardines marinated in raspberry and beetroot, and sprinkled with pistachios.
El Barroco was one of Salvador Dalí’s favourite restaurants to dine at when he was in Cadaqués, so if it was good enough for Dalí… In fact, the artist liked the restaurant so much that he agreed to design its logo back in 1978. The menu here is classic Lebanese with traditional Middle Eastern flavours. Choose from hot and cold mezes such as hummus, baba ganoush (a smoked aubergine dip), moussaka (a potato and aubergine bake), tabbouleh (couscous salad) and falafel. There are also larger main meals including grilled fish with Lebanese bread, lamb kebabs and turkey skewers.
This cute little pizzeria sits right on the seafront in Cadaqués and offers stunning views. Clad in patterned blue and white tiles, La Gritta is a family-run restaurant which has been open since 1982. The pizzas are made with classic thin Italian crusts with ingredients imported directly from Italy. The menu also includes pastas with homemade sauces – try the ravioli with aubergine and scamorza smoked cheese. If you want something more Spanish or Catalan, they also serve local seafood.
A local Cadaqués institution, Casa Anita first opened its doors back in 1960. A traditional wine and tapas bar, over time it has attracted famous faces such as Kirk Douglas and was also a favourite of Salvador Dalí. It specialises in wines from all over Spain, as well as local seafood. Pair your glass of wine with anchovies from Cadaqués, prawns from Cap de Creus, escalivada (roasted Mediterranean vegetables) or grilled dorada fish among others.
Run by a French couple, this quirky, yet cosy restaurant is filled with an eclectic array of decorative pieces, from a bicycle to a motorbike helmet and intricate picture frames. It’s romantic and snug, surrounded by shelves filled with bottles of wine. The food is wholesome and has a simple homemade quality, and dishes feature both Spanish and French influences. Begin with the homemade gazpacho, followed by the red pepper stuffed with beef or the cod with carrot tops. Desserts range from lime cheesecake to apricot clafoutis (sweet French flan).
This charming restaurant entices with its cosy atmosphere, bare stone walls and exposed rafters. The dishes are simple and traditional, made with quality local ingredients. Think omelette topped with prawns, rice with squid ink, steamed mussels and freshly-grilled fish of the day with boiled potatoes. Don’t forget to leave room for the tasty homemade desserts – there’s everything from gooey chocolate cake to panna cotta with raspberry coulis and tarta de Santiago (an almond cake from Galicia).
