In recent years we have visited many restaurants in our area. We are enthusiastic about some of them and these have made it to our website. Unfortunately others do not.
Quality of food
In this warm climate, that is necessary. Our experience is, that the quality of the Spanish kitchen is good. Also the fish shops offer good quality products. In the Spanish supermarkets like Mercadona and Eroski, you will find a good assortment of fresh fish and meat as well as in the Mercado Municipal (= local indoor market) in every bigger city.
Water quality
The water from the tap might be a little different. The water quality is good, but the composition of the water is different than in Northern Europe. We, as locals, are used to that, but for tourists, who come and stay for a short times, that might be different. So we always suggest to drink water from the bottle. For coffee and tea is does not matter. That water is cooked over 60 degrees.
In Arenas and Sedella we get the water from the mountain all year around. It's fresh and cool and of high quality. But be careful, in summer because of the heat, there is less water available.
Prices of food, vegetables and wine
On average, the Spanish restaurant prices for a full dinner in our area are about 50% of the prices of food in restaurants in Northern Europe. That is food and drinks together. Going out for dinner will cost you around €50,- for 2 persons, while in Holland you pay that for 1 person. Of course there are cheaper restaurants and more expensive ones. Because going out for dinner is more affordable, we also eat out more often. And that's what the Spaniards do too. Real exceptions are the tourist places and places like Marbella. There the prices match the Dutch prices.
Vegetables are cheap in the local Mercado Municipal, because they come from this region. In the area around Almeria, north of the Axarquia, there are many greenhouses. Many vegetables come from there, which are also exported to the Netherlands, among other things. Oranges, lemons, avocados and mangoes also grow here in the Axarquia. They are juicier and better in taste.
A bottle of reasonable good Spanish wine will cost around €3,- to €5,- in the supermarket. In Spain the bodegas produce more and more towards quality instead of quantity. Most good wines from Spain come from Northern Spain. The farmers in the Axarquia also produce their local wine. It is a bit sweet, because of the Moscatel grape. This grape stores more sugars in the grape, because of the hot summers. Also, the fermentation process is not taken that far, so that not all sugars are converted to alcohol. The result is a fresh, slightly sweeter wine, which can only be bought from the local farmer for next to nothing.
Suggestions about restaurants
If you as a visitor have suggestions, please let us know. We are always happy when we can add a special dining option.