Many thanks ann-- just my usual obsessive planning, not wanting to miss out on experiencing some of the special places, especially given that we are normally early-to-eat folk.

We've had tapas before, but the level of sophistication that is on offer is nothing we've seen in our past travels.

progol - it might be an idea to do some research about what you are likely to encounter, and the names for the different things e.g.

Jamon [raw] ham
queso - cheese
pulpo - octopus
albóndigas - meatballs
tortilla - omelette usually filled with potato, onion and peas/ham/

you will find a great deal more, but you get the idea.

kimhe is likely to have some good recommendations for where to find the best tapas.

Thanks, Ann,
I've been starting to make note of specific places, and will do more of that as we get closer to the trip. This is the point I start getting blitzed -- too many wonderful options -- and I have to remind myself that it's a vacation, after all! But I've already made note of many places so far. And will definitely review kimhe's posts, especially since he's posted so many flamenco videos, too.

Paule

Yes, I did reserve in advance for the places we ate....while you can arrive without booking, that often means standing and eating at a crowded bar..not bad at all but for some unaccostomed to this, might be best to book a table, or arrive at opening time when bar will not be packed.

ek - I've never arrived so early in the evening at a tapas bar that it's full. Spanish people eat a lot later than I can, and as I get older, this gets more pronounced.

ekscrunchy -- Can you book if you are only having tapas or is it only if you have a traditional menu meal?

Thanks - I've got a lot of research to do, and your thread is on the top.

Paule

You can often book a table and choose from a menu tha t will offer both tapa-size portions, raciones, which tend to be full size, and half-raciones, in the middle. Servers will be flexible bit I would not book a table only to order one or two tapas. Maybe two tapas per person and a couple of media raciones, or soething similar. At the bar you can order as little, or as much, as you like.

And of course no problem to sit down at a table and a make a full meal out of tapas, more and more an option all around Spain although it's against the traditional way of a bite and a glass while standing in the bar before moving on to the next place. But be sure to try it the traditional way also ;-)

Great, thanks to both of you, ekscrunchy & kimhe. I'm getting a better handle on what to expect.

Great report! Will use next september!

This looks like a wonderful adventure; the cork forests we visited from Gaucin were magical:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/tr...ttom-well&_r=0

Bookmarking for our trip this month--thank you!

CT: You are most welcome! I try!

Adding for more info on Malaga:


http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...rs-restaurants

Bookmarking for October/ November 2016

Taking this along on return trips to Madrid and Seville. Ekscrunchy's recommendations have always been outstanding; I'm following her around the world, one restaurant at a time.

Wonderful and mouth-watering report, ekscrunchy! Read your other report on Granada too. I was happy to see positive remarks about a couple of places that I'm planning to visit! Bookmarking other restaurants in Madrid and Seville.

I am researching for my planned trip to Madrid and Andalusia in September.

Although this trip report is a bit old (2013), it is an excellent read and provides superb advice on dining.

Thank you ekscrunchy

Excellent report, and especially much is now happening on the Málaga city food scene. Ambitious and cutting edge chefs come here in great numbers, and the tapas scene is better than ever: https://madridfoodtour.com/eating-in-malaga/

The new gourmet food market (from 2015).
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...odie-traveller

The nine Málaga city restaurants in the Guía Repsol, the Spanish equivalent to the Michelin guide: https://www.guiarepsol.com/es/la-gui...locality=|7367

And you have of course the fabulous traditional chiringuitos/seafront restaurants, a lunch in one of these is a must! https://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga...nt-restaurants

And as ekscrunchy says, the old Atarazanas food market is something special! My favourite in all of Spain, and a couple of brilliant tapas bars in here as well: https://eastofmalaga.net/2014/07/25/...ry-perception/

Saturday lunch in Atarazanas is highly recommended, large groups of friends and families, electric atmosphere and the best food. Start out in Café Bar Mercado Atarazanas: http://azahar-spain.com/azahartapas/...do-atarazanas/

Recommendations from our last visit in Málaga city half a year ago:

Affordable cuttting edge dining in Óleo at the Contemporary Arts Center by the Guadalmedina river in the heart of town. Excellent terrace, atmosphere and the most friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating waiters. Best food experience in more than a year, and that includes several days in food mecca San Sebastián: http://azahar-spain.com/azahartapas/oleo/

Hole in the wall Wendy Gamba with the gourmet bulltail burger with au jus mayo and havarti cheese (and lots of other goodies) plus vermouth on tap. Best burger I've ever had. http://azahar-spain.com/azahartapas/wendy-gamba/

The freshest typical Málaga style fish and seafood in very popular Chiringuito Cachalote right on the Malagueta beach. Also some other chiringuitos (beachfront restaurants) along the long and wide Malagueta beach, for example more upscale Chiringuito Tropicana and more laid-back Chiringuito La Jabega where you eat the freshest grilled fish and seafood with your feet in the sand. http://chiringuitoelcachalote.com/

So glad to come across this. ekscrunchy, I always love your choices for where to eat. And kimhe, your recommmendations are so appreciated.

Hola to all who read this report!!

I'm now booked for a week in Sevilla and 5 nights in Cadiz at the end of February.

Would love comments from anyone who has visited both cities recently. I already have bookings at Cañabota and Contenedor, which will both be new to me, and at both Azotea and PuraTasca, both of which were big hits with me last time.

Sevilla seems overloaded with choices, causing me to have to cut many that sound terrific!
Please off any and all comments about where to eat, and anything else!!

As for Cadiz, I'm not finding many that seem to be "musts" apart from El Campero, a long way outside the city. El Faro will be on my list, for a dinner in the restaurant. AS a single, the bars are more fun and let me try more dishes/tapas. So please feel free to throw my way any that you loved during your stay in that city. I've got a list and can post it if anyone is interested.
Not going to go to Aponiente, the city's 3-star Michellin. But where SHOULD I go??