Located just 20km (12 miles) inland from the beautiful Cádiz coastline, Jerez de la Frontera boasts some excellent seafood restaurants. Read on for our pick of the city’s best seafood eateries and discover where to head for a plate of fresh gambas and a chilled sherry.
Situated near the Alcazar and run by husband-and-wife team Marco and Teresa, La Marea de Marcos is said by many locals to be the best seafood restaurant in town. Although a little more expensive than other establishments featured here, its many satisfied customers can’t fault the price-quality relationship. The menu varies depending on what’s available at the market in the morning, but don’t miss the prawn salad (usually available).
Bar Arturo is a hugely popular fried fish (pescaito frito) specialist found on the western extremity of the city centre. It’s been described as the kind of establishment that every seafood restaurant aspires to be, serving fresh, locally-caught fish cooked simply but with passion and understanding. It gets very busy but doesn’t take reservations, so arrive early, put your name down for a table, and enjoy a drink at the bar while you wait.
Arrive before the Spaniards at Bar El Cuco, a cosy little tapas bar and restaurant with just a few tables. The menu here isn’t limited to seafood but Cuco has become famous over the years for the quality of its fish dishes, especially its pescaito frito. Standout platos include the boquerones (anchovies), served either fried or raw with a vinegar dressing, its calamares (squid) and salmonetes (mullet). Clients also love the friendly and professional service.
Restaurante A Mar boasts a premium location in the heart of old Jerez and is sought out by visitors and locals for its inventive menu. This includes seafood dishes of the highest quality, prepared with fish from the nearby Cádiz coast. Don’t leave without trying the Almadraba tuna – “Almadraba” being a centuries-old method of catching bluefin tuna as they travel from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean to breed. The prawn salad is also a popular dish.
Situated out by the González Hontoria park, Marisqueria Gran Avenida is a great place to come for a seafood tapas and vino if you’re attending the May Horse Fair. Try, for example, a plate of their fresh prawns or languistines, salted and flash-fried on the grill and served with a wedge of lemon. Best accompanied, in true Jerezano style, with a cool glass of dry white fino sherry. The service is consistently praised, as is the price-quality relationship.
Not to be confused with the UK tapas chain of the same name, La Tasca prides itself on the quality of its seafood dishes. The restaurant has two distinct spaces: one for sit-down dining and another, less formal room, for tapas. To see why locals love this place so much, try the prawn and octopus revuelto, accompany it with a glass of the local Barbazul wine and follow it with one of the superb homemade desserts – you’ll be instantly won over.
Bodosky is a seafood and fried fish specialist situated just over the road from Marisqueria Gran Avenida, on the edge of the site where the Feria del Caballo is held. All fish dishes are 50% cheaper on Sundays, meaning that you get unbeatable value-for-money (and all the seafood is fresh from the Cádiz coast). Be warned, though – half of Jerez will be going for the same reason, so arrive early for lunch or dinner. The service is also highly praised.
