Tapas on the Costa Tropical

When people think of Spain sun, sea, wine and tapas often come to mind. From humble origins tapas have evolved into a form of cuisine which is popular through many towns in the UK. Tapas on the Costa Tropical are however still very much the norm in the Spanish bars.

 Originally tapas which became very common throughout Andalucia were a simple slice of bread with a bit of meat were served to cover sweet wines and sherries, thereby stopping flies intoxicating themselves and dying a slow death in the contents of the glasses. At least that is the most cited version of their origin and is supported by the fact that the word “tapa” in Spainsh means “cover”.

 

Tapas found in cities such as Barcelona or London are usually served in specialist restaurants, are more imaginative, more elaborate and diners order a mixture of diverse chorizo, chicken, fish and vegetable dishes which when served come in small portions are quickly consumed and the bill presented. Although the traditional serving of tapas, as a complimentary (free) snack has died out in most of Andalucia -  (why give something away to tourists when you can charge for it?) tapas on the Costa Tropical and Province of Granada is still common.

 

On the Costa Tropical in most bars when you order a beer a plate with some food will also be delivered to the table. Along the coast fish is quite popular and fried baby calamari (puntillas), small fried fish and even larger fish can be served. In Motril there is a bar in the port called Las Brisas which is well known for its fish tapas. In addition there is potatos a la pobre, pork stew, meatballs, fried squid rings and if you are unlucky just a simple plate of olives! As you move in land particularly around the Alpujarras meat such as chorizo and jamon serrano with bread is more common than fish.

 

Being served free food is always a treat and I have met tourists here who have planned on having a meal out the night after they arrived set off for drinks first have ordered a few rounds, each accompanied by tapas (to their surprise) and ended up being too full to go for a meal – the main shock though being that between four of them the bill was less than fifteen euros. (Beers with tapas are usually not much more than a euro)

 

One thing in these bars is that they will not ask what you want or even if you want a snack they just bring “something”. Tapas not only vary from bar to bar but should in most decent bars vary throughout the evening.   

 

As with restaurants the quality also varies a lot – usually the more touristy the lower the quality. Some of the best places I know and which are very popular with Spanish are in the maze of streets behind the main commercial shopping area in Motril on the Costa Tropical. I do know though that I still have not probably discovered many of the best locations for tapas in the Province of Granada – it would take too much time and too many extra pounds in weight. If you are interested though there is a book about tapas in Granada written by someone willing to risk putting on those extra pounds. Click the link to find out more about the best tapas in Granada. 

 

If you know the book or if you have discovered any good locations for tapas on the Costa Tropical while on holiday why not leave me a note below?