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OOOppss - should read NOT very cheap:thumbsup:

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Just using this thread to have a good moan. Been out for tapas over the last few months but not for a proper meal. So with friends over we took them over to Jags and they had a great time and couldn't compliment the food, service and whole experience enough. A couple of days later they wanted me to recommend another local place along the same lines. When I got stuck they remembered El Choco from a previous visit and got me off the hook. So off we marched about 8PM (early eaters).

We were the only customers and talk about the rush to get us out. Our mains turned up as we were having our starters. The waiter plonked our mains on the side and proceeded to take our plates off us even though the starters in middle of the table were not finished and we were obviously still munching away.

The place only had 3 other tables by the time we left so it wasn't a case of they were short of tables. We got charged about €10 for a plate of lomo, pan fried and chips for an adult portion which was easily finished by a child. And of course even the other dishes we ordered were with chips. For the same price we ate at Jags with freshly prepared dishes, beautifully presented, no chips and freshly made dessert, not prepacked frozen ones that are available everywhere else in Ayamonte.

Problem is when you live here and don't eat out that often you like to enjoy the experience. Ok moan over and before Forty comes on and tells me we should have gone further afield, sometimes visitors are limited in their choice, in this case young child and wanted an early night (UK visitors, bless!!)

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Funny you should mention El Choco. When we were over in May we tried it and everything was perfect, excellent service and really good food. Went back there in August and what a disappointment - surly service and food not up to scratch. I do remember someone, way back, commenting that it is often down to luck that you choose the right night, so maybe we were unlucky second time around. Anyway, on a better note, how about O Infante just over the border? We've been there a few times and the food is consistently good with attentive service.

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We always enjoy Infante food, the waiters however remind us of a scene from Fawlty towers as they never smile & have been quite kurt on a few occasions. We don't let it put us off as any visitors we take there always enjoy it.

Our favourite chinese resturaunt is at Monte Gordo, the road opp the casino. Walk quite a way up & it is over on the right on a corner. Always had very good meals there & service really good too.Shouldn't share this as when we next go i want to be able to get in too!

A third favourite is Garcia's bistro bar at Isla Canella Marina as they always look after my husband who is a vegetarian & finds it hard to find anything to eat at many resturaunts.They are friendly & have a new chef that cooks wonderful meals. They have smashing Indian buffet evenings & great fresh fish n' chips.Shame we don't get to eat out more! Roll on a birthday celebration.......!

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Agree with you about the chinese, it's the best in the area. Don't rate Infante, food ok ish but service always poor. Garcia's is ok , Gary is a half-decent chef, but must disagree with you about the Indian buffet, poor we thought. Don't know what the food is like at Andalucian since Gary left, heard a rumour that Jackie (ex of Euro Supplies) is head chef. I guess the 'Scouse' should be half-decent.

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Maybe we had the presence of the substitute waiter and it was the competent staffs night off, it was a Sunday.

Funnily enough we were nearby one day and ventured to Infante and there was a wait for a table for an hour so didn't bother. Never tried it but have had mixed reviews especially about the service and will hopefully will get there when it is not the chefs night off.:lol:

Unfortuntely, consistency is lacking in these places but I suppose you try a couple of times and then never return.

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Got to agree the owners have always seemed friendly at Garcia's but as for the food maybe I have just been when it was the chefs night off!!

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Couldn't disagree more about the service - it's one of our favourites and we have always had good attentive service - even a bit of a joke with the waiters (all of whom speak good English for those of us not gifted with languages). You probably have to be selective with choosing your meal but the seafood is really fresh - you can see your lobster swimming about in the tank at the entrance - and the steaks are a speciality. I particularly enjoy the espartade (??) of mixed grill. And not a chip in sight!

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Actually made it to the Big House in Cartaya - it is aptly named as it is huge inside. Downstairs is a "Wok Buffet" which I guess means that you choose your food and style and it is cooked for you. They offer Chinese; Japanese; Vietnamese and a couple of Thai options. Upstairs is a la carte - which is what we tried - we had a very good meal there, all our favourites nicely cooked and attentive service. The only thing I would say is that the portion sizes are on the adequete rather than large size so 3 mains between 2 people was about right. Having said that we always seem to run out of room when we get bigger portions so they have probably judged it just right:)
They also do takeaway - although it would probably need a reheat by the time you got back to CE :rofl:

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So what restaurants are considered to be the top in the area, say aprx. 30-45 minute drive from Ayamonte (eg.Huelva, Isla Cristina, Villablanca, El Rompido and Portuga; Vila Real de St.Antonio, Monte Gordo, Fabrica, Cacela). Considering Food, Presentation, Service, Location, Views.

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Just a point of interest from my little jaunt this morning, the Namaste (Indian) restaurant by the Carrefour roundabout is now closed down.

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In Monte Gordo

Go to Eurobar. Known locally as "Joseph's". :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Very friendly and the food is good and they don't hurry you. Top class fresh fish and meat.
In the height of the season, if you are in a hurry (who would be on hot summer evenings I ask myself) then you will need to get there either very early or late.

They also have off the menu dishes if you know what you want and will always try to get something in if you give them notice.

(As an aside they will also help you with your Portuguese if you try!)

Just off the main square next to Jamie

Others include

The Goan, Maharaja Patiala Tandoori, Restuarante Marisqueria Monte Gordo. Have also heard that Vicius is good but yet to go there.

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Hey, thanks for that! It´s good to have a bit of fresh input here since all users here seem to move from O Infante to Jag´s......;)

Muito Obrigado!

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Thats interesting - I dont know where Jamie is - could you add a little to the directions please, as we'd like to try it.

Thanks
Jon

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I think I know it we can go together.

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Have you tried O Tapas it is very good and great value.

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For O Jaime - stand in front of Monte Gordo casino with the casino behind you. Walk straight ahead until you reach the square (maybe about 100m or so) O Jaime is on the other side of the square on the right, loads of outdoor seating you can't miss it.

We also like A Garagem in Monte Gordo. If you enter MG from the N125, turn right at the first roundabout (opp Hotel Navegadores) and take the 2nd road on the right. A Garagem is on the left hand side. Great, simple Portuguese food, good prices and family run.

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Thanks this is doubly useful - I can find the earlier resto now - Eurobar, known locally as "Joseph's" - in case we need to go there before we meet up with John+Kath..

.... and for Garagem... we've had this recommended before but the map was a bit wrong, (our friend had taken good advantage with us of the golf club happy hour! :drinkwine: ) and we couldnt find it!


Thanks again
Jon

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We found a nice place in VRSA called Dom Pestico. It is on the riverside opposite the golf course at Isla Canela. There is an outside terrace above a tiny beach with views across to Ayamonte. Absolutely lovely on a hot day as there is a breeze. One couple had arrived on an inflatble dinghy which they tied up below the restaurant! The inside looked quite nice too.

We have been there twice, for lunch, and it was busy both times, Spanish and Portuguese as well as smattering of English. We each had different things each time so have tried four meals. I would reccomend the fish soup and the grilled mackerel which were delicious as was the golden bream and the ribs. Fish and meat is cooked on a large brick barbecue at the front of the restaurant.

Prices were pretty reasonable; mackerel 6.50, bream 8.50, half bottle of house white 3.70.

To find it go along the esplanade road to a roundabout with statue of a fish on it. Turn right at the roundabout and take the first left. Keep going; it looks pretty unpromising with industrial units and boat yards but the road carries on to the mouth of the river. Dom Pescital is on the left, tucked away behind a purple bougainvillea hedge. Lovely.

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We too have had lunch at Dom pestico many times and found the fish is always really good and very reasonable. Service very friendly it can get really hectic at busy lunch times mainly portuguese and spanish not heard an english voice in there yet. Would describe as cheap and cheeerful with good quality food.

Does anyone know if we can get a meal at the marina in Isla Canela on a Sunday night at this time of year?

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I´m sure Garcias Bistro can do you a decent meal, Cayuelitas is very good as well for lot´s of tapas or bigger portions if you wish. Real Spanish atmosphere and great food can be found at Bar A3 (Bar de Manolo) along the same stretch. Bit further there´s Minutero which got some good reports as well.

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Thanks for this one Steve and Pat, had a lovely lunch there today and although very busy were lucky to get table overlooking the small beach. Stuck with your choice fish soup and mackeral, very good and with the view watching the boats going up and down the river all in all a lovely afternoon.

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Pleased you enjoyed it too - it can always be a risk making a recommendation!

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Minutero has been recommended to us too. Where exactly is it please (because I don't know to which stretch you're referring)? Thanks.
Carol

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Hi George & All,

La Boccana, along with others, comes highly recommended on this tourist information guide:
http://www.visithuelva.com/restauran...lidad=Ayamonte

I've attached the above link with the page for Ayamonte restaurants. Have a look at the other towns in Huelva (click on "buscar restaurantes en...") province, too.

Hope this is of some help.

Carol

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If you´re in the Marina Isla Canela with the commercial center behind you, walk along the 4 marina buildings with the moored pleasureboats on your right hand, you´ll find Restaurante Minutero in the last building. The street is called Paseo del Pinillo.

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Forgot about Garagem. Our local friends recomend that too.
Good luck at EuroBar

When may you be heading that way?

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Thanks, Jur!:starsmile:

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Another good meal for us last night at Jags. One guy took a photograph of his pudding before he tucked into it! Well done guys you work hard.

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Hi Carol and all

Thanks for the link. You can spend a lot of time going through the site - pity there are so few comments. I've seen a few close to Isla Cristina (La Antilla / Islantilla - some apparantly quite expensive too:eek:) that I had not hear of before. Have to save up and check them out!

Best wishes
George

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If you take the ferry across to Portugal, turn left, walk until you come to a big blue building facing the river. I think it is called Restauranr Ang, Porto de Recreio do Guardiana. Smart inside, great service. I had cod , house style, beautiful, white and moist. My friend had monkfish and prawn on a skewer. Best she has ever tasted. Several different flavoured bread rolls, baked on the premises,along with goats cheese on the table. A good quality white wine, large bottled water and a free drink (almond liqueur) .They even make their own crisps. The bill came to 42€, which for a great meal out was excellent value. We also enjoy Luiz, (value for money) and Jags, expensive, but good food.
We eat out a lot and this was a lovely surprprise.

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Just finishing a week in Ayamonte and have had a fab lunch at Lotitas and the girlies were good fun as always. Highly reccomend the chicken, bacon and mayo mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm yum!

They have been having card nights which I have heard are an alternative fun night out but will have to wait for our next visit out before we can join in. Cosy atmosphere and a giggle with the girls and they have WiFi.:thumbsup:

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Myself and 3 friends got back from CE last Wednesday after a week there. We ate out most nights at a variety of places including Jags, Bodeguita, Asiatico and the new Italian place in La lota Square.
We could not complain about any meal but would definitely recommend Asiatico and Bodeguita in particular.
Bodeguita had a guest French Chef on for 3 days and they were doing a 5 course French menu for 30 euro or you could have a part of the menu. It was not cheap but for the quality of food it was reasonable value. We heard they are thinking of having these menus from other countries once a month.

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Hi

Please can you let me know where Bodeguita is. We are out in a couple of weeks and struggle for better quality restaurants

Thanks

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Bodeguita is opposite Lotitas bar in La Lota square, on the same side as La Ganza pizzeria.

Phillippe who cooked at the French cuisine weekend actually used to run the now called Garcias in Canela, in days gone by. Great guy and good cook.

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You could do worse than try the house red if you have a meal there

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Yes, their house red is lovely. I do remember sharing a bottle or two!!

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If you decided to venture down to Garcias I can also strongly recommend their house red

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But as long as it was the red wine only!! And it is a distance to venture just for a drink!!:drinkwine: