The Top 10 Bars in Ronda, Spain

This is one of the best – and smallest – local tapas joints in Ronda. Sitting unassumingly on a side street just back from Plaza España, it’s packed with Rodeños at lunchtimes and in the evenings (always a good sign), who crowd into its standing-room only bar for tapas that cost as little as 80 cents a pop. Shoulder in amongst them and enjoy the insanely cheap, traditional food and wash it down with some of the bar’s excellent wines.

Located about a fifteen minute stroll from the town centre, La Niña Adela is not the most eye-catching place you’ll ever visit – from outside, it looks like a standard Spanish “old men’s” bar. But once you’ve experienced food, the ambience and the service, you’ll be coming back again and again. Prop up the bar for beer and tapas or sit out on the sunny terrace to enjoy mains such as sirloin steak with foi grois and truffles or stewed bull’s tail.

You can tell that El Almacén‘s proprietors have been influenced by their time in London – the bar’s warehouse-chic décor wouldn’t look out of place in one of Shoreditch’s trendiest drinking dens. Almacén’s stylishly presented tapas is made from the freshest local ingredients, whilst the drinks menu includes the best of Ronda’s wines and a good range of international craft beers. Must-try tapas are the cod croquetas and the mini hamburgers.

Booking in advance is strongly recommended if you fancy a trip to one of Ronda’s most innovative bars: the inside of De Locos Tapas is only big enough for six tables. Installed in the kitchen is owner Guillermo, a food-lover who learnt his craft by cooking in restaurants all over Spain, from Marbella to the Basque country. The breadth of his culinary education is evident in the imaginative menu, which is complemented by a good range of beers and wines.

Toro Tapas is a modern, spacious bar located in the heart of Ronda‘s lively Mercadillo area. Its sleek interior attracts a trendy crowd and is frequently used as a setting for live music and exhibitions by local artists. Sit back and marvel at the brightly coloured wall art, choose something tasty from the superb wine list and enjoy popular dishes such as chicken with plums, slow-cooked bull’s tail and mushroom risotto.

Over recent years, the province of Málaga – especially the Serrania de Ronda – has established itself as a major player in the wine world; to see why, head to the appropriately named Entrevinos (Between Wines), a cosy and classy bar in the town centre. Entrevinos consistently wins praise for its extensive and well-priced wine list, which focuses exclusively on the bodegas of southern Spain. These can be accompanied by little plates of superb regional tapas.

This popular late-night joint offers an alternative vibe, great rock music and some of the best cocktails in Ronda. Its location just a couple of streets away from the bullring means it’s the perfect end-of-night spot after tapas; indeed, its central location, friendly bar staff and tasty cocktails have earnt it a reputation as the best pub in town – “pubs” in Spain being more like bars in the UK. To get things going, order a “Fireball” shot.

This stylish, light-filled Gastrobar does some of the tastiest and best value tapas in town. Classics such as the mini-hamburger, potato salad and spiced chicken skewers (pinchitos) cost no more than about two euros each and are attractively presented. A shaded outside terrace makes Caemlot the perfect spot to enjoy a long lunch of varied nibbles and cold cañas. Cruzcampo is on tap but there’s a good choice of bottled beer, too.

This friendly little bar is just off the “new” part of town’s main drag and is just as popular for breakfast as it is for early-evening tapas. Clients love the varied selection of montaditos – mini-sandwiches that often feature on tapas menus – the attentive, chatty service and the locally made wines on offer. Best of all, Antonio’s offers fantastic value: a couple of vinos and tapas here will come in at less than ten euros ($12). Also does one of the best breakfasts in town.

Another of Ronda’s classic local bars, La Taberna boasts a premium location on the lively Plaza del Sorroco. It has carved out a reputation as serving some of the best traditional tapas around; in particular, many locals say that this is where you should come if you’re looking to try rabo de toro, or stewed bull’s tail. Given that virtually every bar in town serves this Rodeño classic, that’s high praise indeed. Arrive early, as there’s often a queue to get in.