It’s a great place to eat while on holiday along the Cadiz coast. That’s thanks to the variety of options, the number of bars, restaurants, terraces and beach bars to choose from and, above all, the quality of the (mostly fresh) ingredients used.
Before diving into our selection of places to eat in Chiclana, bear in mind that this section focuses on places outside the Novo Sancti Petri area. Right by La Barrosa beach. We’ve covered that part of Chiclana in a separate guide, which is also worth checking out.
Best restaurants in Chiclana
Some of the top restaurants in Chiclana are at the Royal Hideaway Sancti Petri hotel, which we already mentioned in our “Where to eat in Sancti Petri” section. These include Atunante, Chez Lumière and Saarq. But here, we’re focusing on places in Chiclana’s historic centre.
Hormaza, 19 (Hormaza 19)
Modern cuisine with creative, cutting-edge touches and grilled dishes as the highlight. In fact, the owners call this place a “gastro grill” built around local ingredients.
El Santuario (Mendizábal, 9)
The grill takes centre stage here too. It has a decisive influence on flavours, aromas and textures. In a town where seafood dominates most menus, it’s refreshing to find a spot that celebrates great meat. And it’s much appreciated.
Flor de Tuna (Carretera de Medina, 91)
With “tuna” in the name, it’s no surprise they focus on local bluefin tuna, caught nearby. Even so, the menu offers an original mix of Spanish cuisine, not just Andalusian, with a few nods to trendy international dishes.
La Embajada (Calle Arroyuelo, 14)
Located in an old vinegar bodega, the traditional charm of its high ceilings and walls is matched by a solid, quality menu. Highly recommended are the local-style pork scratchings, the Chiclana board (butifarra, longaniza and chorizo), Payoyo cheese, various toasts dishes, egg scrambles and the giant meatball in homemade tomato sauce with crisp potato chips.
Marisquería Manguita (Doctor Pedro Vélez, s/n)
They also have another establishment in La Barrosa. This spot meets the expectations of seafood lovers, but also pays homage to Cadiz’s fried fish traditions and other seafood specialities. It may be slightly pricier than average, but quality comes at a cost.
Beach bars in Chiclana
There are beach bars beyond La Barrosa, mentioned earlier in our Sancti Petri guide. These include La Loma, Vavá Playa, Santorini Playa, Ohana Barrosa and Coconovo Beach. They all offer tempting menus.
But there are also two great beach bars facing Punta del Boquerón, on Poblado de Sancti Petri beach. These are:
Apretaíto (Avenida Costa, Poblado de Sancti Petri)
Most visitors come to this beach bar, with over 20 years of history, for the cocktails and dreamy sunsets. There’s also a simple food menu based on local produce.
Bongo (Poblado de Sancti Petri)
People usually come here to enjoy the sunset with a cocktail in hand. In this case, the food is a little more elaborate. It comes in the form of land and sea produce served as tapas and small plates, ideal for sharing.
Tapas in Chiclana
As in many towns in Cadiz and Andalusia, going out for tapas is the natural, everyday way to enjoy Chiclana’s food scene. It’s a daily habit for many locals in Chiclana and visitors alike. There are dozens of tapas bars and terraces across town. Here’s a small selection:
ITO Tapas (Arroyuelo, 16)
This bar is far from conventional, at least by Chiclana standards, in terms of both the look and the creativity of the dishes. Think squid croquettes, chorizo and egg brioche, foie gras millefeuille and, of course, local fish.
Viavai Gastrobar (Jesús Nazareno, 18)
The short menu is a plus, as this means everything is prepared with more care and attention. You can go for traditional homemade croquettes, a burger, ribs or a tuna dish.
La Taskita (Av. de la Industria, 21)
It’s a little outside the centre, but well worth the trip for its traditional tapas served in a truly local Cadiz setting. Recommended dishes include the Russian salad, Iberian pork, cheeses and fried food like squid rings.
Abacería Los Quintos (Arroyuelo, 9)
This place stands out for mixing paper cones of fried fish with plated tapas and dishes that go well beyond the ingredients sourced from the Atlantic, all rooted in local tradition.
El Palenque Chiclana (Fuente, 21)
The menu includes a variety of filled montaditos, or small sandwiches. But this place is more than just a place to grab a bite; they have excellent taste in music and organise all kinds of cultural events.
