One of the things you do when you visit a town you have never been before, is finding yourself a place to drink or eat. Tarifa in Andalucia has lots of nice bars and restaurants, here some suggestions.

Café Continental
Located at the end of the Paseo de la Alameda, the central square at the entrance of the old town, this is the prime location for people-watching. Sitting on the large terrace you have a nice view on the square; either in the morning when it is still quiet, during lunch when it is getting busier with mainly tourists, or in the evening when the whole square is crowded with local men, women and children. Also on windy days it is a very comfortable place to sit; as it faces southwest, it’s sheltered from the sometimes strong eastern wind. Drinks are cheap; a coffee or tea will you cost one euro, soft drinks 1,50 €. In the afternoon they also serve tapas and raciones (portions). What they have depends on the day but it’s always good and cheap.

Café Zumo
For a nice breakfast or lunch café Zumo is the place to be. It is located in the calle Sancho IV El Bravo, the main street of the old town. They serve croissants and toasted bread for breakfast and a variety of sandwiches for lunch. To try one of the many excellent juices (zumos) is an absolute must; combinations you have never heard of you will find here. Besides of the food and drinks there is another reason to visit this place: the bookcase on one of the wall. If you hand in one of your old books you can exchange it for another one. Very useful if you’re only halfway your holidays and already finished all the books you brought.

Coyote
A small restaurant for a simple ´Mexican´ lunch like burritos, tacos and nachos. It is located close to the old town on the Avenida de Andalucía, The restaurant is run by a very friendly Italian couple, which put a lot of effort in the decoration of it, with success. In most Spanish restaurants you prefer sitting outside, but here you also enjoy sitting inside and have a look at all the thing on the wall. Inside they have space for about 20 people, outside there is a terrace for another 20 people. Prices are very reasonable; for example jalapeños, a burrito with chicken and a soft drink cost together less than 12,50 €. And for 3,95 € you can get yourself the best hamburger in town!

La Araña
This is what you call a typical Spanish tapas bar. With fluorescent lamps, characteristic andalucian tiles and local Spanish men standing at the bar to have their coffee and a tostado (a piece of roasted bread with marmalade or oil) for breakfast or some tapas and a beer for lunch. Although maybe not a place you would walk in easily as a tourist, it is advisable to do so. The staff is really friendly and the food is good. Officially the place is a fishing club, so you will find lots of fresh fish here. For people that don’t like fish too much they also have a variety of meat and salads. Prices are good; a portion which is enough for one person costs around 6€. It can be interesting to eat your food standing at the bar like the locals, but there is also a large space on the side where you can sit down and eat your tapas more quietly.
Address: Calle Covadonga 2 (a few minutes walk northwest from the Paseo de la Alameda).

La Tribu
For a cocktail in the evening you should go to Tribu, a bar in the middle of the old town, in calle Nuestra Señora de la Luz opposite of calle Castelar. With a nice atmosphere and friendly staff that mainly consist of foreigners you will have a very relaxed evening. And all the better they also serve the best pizzas of Tarifa. Only open after 8 pm.