Wondering where to eat in Cadiz? Not only will I share my favorite local spots below, I'll also tell you the 14 must-try foods in Cadiz so you can be sure to order well in this foodie paradise!
The first time I visited Cadiz, I approached it by boat as we made our way over for a day trip from El Puerto de Santa María.
As the shore came into focus, I could just tell I was going to love it. Cadiz is an old city (one of the oldest in Europe!) and is not picture perfect. But what I often call "ugly-pretty" is what really draws me in.
I adore the tiny fishing boats that look like they're about to break apart in the waves, and the peeling paint on some of the gorgeous, century-old buildings.
Cadiz is a city that will always hold a special place in my heart.
It's the place where I got engaged to my husband, on a chilly December afternoon when we should have been in France! It's also the place where I fell head-over-heels in love with some of my favorite Spanish foods: salmorejo, dorada, and tortillitas de camarones (thank you Cadiz!).
Since Alejandro's parents live only 20 minutes away, we've visited the city many times. And although I've never even spent the night, I've definitely done my fair share of exploring the Cadiz food scene.
In the many years since my first trip, I've narrowed down the list to create a pretty good guide to eating in Cadiz. Hopefully, it will help fellow food lovers explore one of my favorite cities in Spain!
I hope you enjoy my recommendations for eating in Cadiz. Feel free to add more places in the comments.
What to Eat in Cadiz – 14 Must-Try Foods & Drinks
Churros
They are the best in Spain, hands down. Always freshly made, thin and crispy as can be, with the perfect amount of salt. Now if only a gaditano would bring their talents to the rest of Spain...
Sushi
Not what you were expecting? Cadiz is a wonderful place to get your sushi fix—granted it's made with the area's top-quality catch! Spain is the world's second-largest producer of tuna and some of the best bluefin tuna comes from Cadiz—though 80% of it gets sent to Japan!
Ostras de Cadiz (Oysters)
The oysters in Cadiz are fat and juicy, perfect with a squeeze of lemon.
Tortillitas de Camarones (Shrimp Fritters)
Tiny shrimp called camarones are served from little cones after being quickly boiled and chilled. But the best way to enjoy these sea critters is in a crispy tortillita, a shrimp fritter that is absolutely to die for.
Atún Rojo de Cadiz (Bluefin Tuna from Cadiz)
The bluefin tuna from Cadiz is simply incredible. If you visit during the almadraba every May (when fishermen are allowed to fish the tuna using a 3,000-year-old Phoenician fishing method), you'll be in store for some of the freshest and most delicious tuna of your life.
Chicharrones de Cadiz (Roasted Pork Belly)
Pork belly cooked in lard and smothered in garlic that is then sliced thin and eaten cold with lemon and salt, or a savory mojo picón sauce. Sound like heaven? Nope, just Cadiz!
Tapas
Cadiz is one of the best tapas cities in Spain. Nearly every restaurant will have a tapas portion on their menu. Tapas are generally meant for one person, or for sharing among two. For bigger groups go for a ración (full plate) or media ración (half plate).
Vinos de Jerez (Sherry Wines)
The city of Cadiz may not be a part of the Sherry Triangle, but the locals certainly support their neighbors! A crisp glass of fino with some of the area's best seafood is a must.
Ortiguillas Fritas (Fried Sea Anemone)
Ortiguillas are among the most bizarre foods you'll find in Cadiz. Divers gather sea anemones, which are then battered and deep-fried. Not for the faint of heart, they are a true taste of the sea.
Huevas (Fish Eggs)
A popular addition to salads or a key part of a fried fish platter, these fish egg sacks (they could be from a variety of fish/cuttlefish, such as hake, cod, and squid) are not my personal favorite—but my in-laws swear by them!
Read More: The Beautiful Beaches of Cadiz
Gambas (Prawns/Shrimp)
Gambas, gambas, gambas. I could easily eat plate after plate, with another glass of fino. Check out my boiled shrimp recipe!
Pan de Cadiz (Cadiz-Style Marzipan)
It looks like a giant loaf of bread, but it's actually a giant log of marzipan and candied fruits. I still can't decide if I love or hate pan de Cadiz...
Cazón en Adobo (Fried Dogfish)
Call it sandshark/dogfish/whatever you please. It's delicious. Fried in an irresistible coating of breadcrumbs, lemon, and cumin... I could eat it every day.
Carrillada (Pork Cheek)
One of my favorite tapas in Cadiz, carrillada de cerdo is on offer all around town, generally swimming in a simple wine reduction.
Where to Eat in Cadiz – The Best Tapas Bars & Restaurants
La Candela Tapas Bar
I loved this Cadiz tapas bar so much that I dedicated a post to our outstanding lunch there. I almost don't want to go back, just in case it doesn't measure up.
This small restaurant is the definition of what I search out—clean and fresh flavors, creativity that doesn't cross into the bizarre, and the highest-quality products you can find. Good job guys!
Calle Feduchy, 3
Casa Manteca
Old-school and wonderful, Casa Manteca's walls are covered with pictures of bullfighters and flamenco dancers. Order a sherry and some cold tapas—their chicharrones de Cadiz are wonderful.
Calle Corralón de los Carros, 66
Freiduría Las Flores I
This is the most traditional of Cadiz's fried fish joints, located in the beautiful Plaza de las Flores (AKA Plaza Topete). The cazón en adobo and the chopitos are my favorites.
Plaza Topete, 4
Mercado Central de Abastos
Recently restored, the Central Market of Cadiz is the place to be for fresh food and cheap tapas. The fish market is a MUST when visiting Cadiz—but don't forget there's no fish on Mondays!
The Cadiz market also boasts a wonderful Rincón Gastronómico (a dreamy outdoor food court). Food lovers can enjoy local wines, craft beers, fresh sushi, fried seafood, and much more with great views of the historic market.
Plaza Libertad
Gadisushi
One of the most popular booths in the Cadiz market, Gadisushi makes fresh makis, nigiris, and sashimi before your eyes, using fish from the market. Must I say more?
Plaza Libertad (inside the market, booths 63 and 64)
Taberna La Manzanilla
Another Cadiz classic (and right next to La Candela), Taberna La Manzanilla is a great place for a quick aperitif before lunch. It's rustic and wonderful—don't be intimidated by the old-school charm.
Calle Feduchy, 19
Casa Hidalgo
One of my favorite pastry shops in Cadiz is located right across from the cathedral. You must try their homemade donuts and savory empanadas—but everything at Casa Hidalgo is absolutely delicious.
Plaza Catedral, 8
Know Before You Go – Tips for Eating in Cadiz
- There is excellent seafood in Cadiz and it's cheap by most people's standards. If you're not in town for long, skip the fancy restaurant meals in exchange for tapas-style dining. Trying many dishes all in the same night (and often at more than one establishment) can't be beat!
- At least TRY the local sherry wines. I know that sherries can be tricky for some people to fall in love with at first sip—but keep trying! Sherry wines should be paired with food, so ask your waiter for a recommendation (or better yet, look around and see what others are drinking). And you can never go wrong with a crisp glass of fino—so start with that!
- You aren't expected to tip in Cadiz, but rounding up the bill and leaving up to 10% for excellent service is definitely appreciated. Servers work hard and earn a low monthly wage.
- Don't take offense when waiters are running around and slam down your drink—it's not rude, just a part of the show they put on!
- BYOT—bring your own toilet paper! For reasons beyond my comprehension, many restrooms do not have toilet paper or soap. Come prepared with tissues and hand sanitizer for peace of mind.
- Embrace the afternoon merienda. From around 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. you’ll see locals having a drink and a bite to eat in local cafés and pastry shops, instead of having dessert right after a meal.
Cadiz is a beautiful city with a unique Andalusian spirit. Take your time and walk around without a map, listening for impromptu flamenco music and looking out for old-style tapas bars filled to the brim with locals. Eat, drink, stroll, and repeat—it's what the gaditanos do!
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KAREN RIMBERT
What a great blog! My husband and I will be in Cadiz from March 10-14. I understand it is the last day of the carnival. Will people be in costumes performing around the city? The second question is "I love flamenco". Can you recommend a cozy place to see a good show that is not too expensive? It does not have to include food.
Thank you so much.
Allison
I loved the blog post and was so excited to try your recommendations. I was so excited to try the tortillitas de camarones, but they needed a dipping sauce like guacamole, sour cream, or hollandaise may have been good. I also tried albondigas de choco. I ate them, but I wouldn’t recommend either dish. Neither were anything I would ever eat again by Will. It might help in future posts to list where you ordered the items. We ended up at Arte Serrano, which had great service; I guess we just ordered the wrong items! Cádiz is a beautiful little town and it was fun to experience Carnaval, even by happenstance.
Charlie
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that you have a gastro guide to Cadiz here on Spanish Sabores. I'm hoping to make a day trip to Cadiz during my stay in Seville next month. I had wanted to go to Cadiz last year, but Andalucia was experiencing two days of torrential rains, so we decided to remain in Seville.
Inés
You should add Restaurante Cafe Royalty to your "Where to eat in Cadiz" list. Traditional kitchen updated with the best products of the province of Cadiz. Also it's the only historically preserved grand romantic cafe in Andalusia and probably in all of Spain.
Jenna
Excellent, excellent recommendations for restaurants in Cadiz, and the "must order" delicacies! We loved your suggestions - especially sushi at the market 🙂 Keep doing what you are doing...this website is awesome and even though I'm back in the States now, I can't stop reading and sharing with friends and family. Thank you, Lauren!
mona
Hi. I am loving your blog and it is an invaluable resource for the upcoming. Since you know all these places so well and seem to love food and culture as much as we do, if you had 3 nights and the better part of 4 days to spend around Sevilla, would you recommend a day trip to Cadiz , an overnight in Cadiz (possible stop in Jerez or Puerto de Sta. Maria), or focussing on Sevilla? If we did an overnight, would you recommend Cadiz or Puerto Santa Maria? Its so hard to decide when we haven't been any of these places yet. (Our one other stop in Andalucia will be Cordoba on a Saturday night during the last feria in May).
Lauren Aloise
Hi Mona! I'd say either to stay in Seville, or to make a full day/overnight trip of Jerez and Cadiz. You could take an early train to Jerez and spend a half day there, visiting 1 bodega. Then you could continue on to Cadiz, and spend the rest of the evening and a bit of the next morning before heading back to Seville around noon. Hope this helps!
mona
Hi Lauren. Thank you so much! I'm so excited to explore and eat, and sometimes its hard to know where you might be pushing the itinerary a little too much or you would be missing out on a great treasure that was so close, especially when you have never been to those parts. I really appreciate your input as someone who knows the area well.
Lauren Aloise
You're very welcome-- it's such an amazing area, I'm actually living in Seville right now starting Devour Seville Food Tours here and I forgot how much I'd missed it! I'm a big fan of slow travel, yet at the same time hate to miss things too. I will say that going to Cadiz for the day would be pretty special. Enjoy your trip!
mona
Thanks! Do you happen to offer your food tour in spanish (i will be travelling with my husband and his parents. my in-laws speak spanish, but limited english). also, just to clarify, you would recommend Cadiz for an overnight instead of just a day trip? still haven't finalized plans but hope to do so soon!
Lauren Aloise
Hi again! Our group tours are in English, however depending on the date requested we might be able to make it a private tour and make it bilingual! Feel free to get in touch at lauren@devourspain.com if you are interested in that. As for Cadiz, I am torn, but overall would say yes, spend a night there if you don't think it'll be too much. Either way you really can't go wrong! 🙂
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas
How did I miss this before?! Great post! I love gritty but charming Cádiz, and especially love the food.
Meghann@HolaMatrimony
Recently spent a great afternoon at the Mercado de Abastos. Can't beat having lunch and picking up fresh seafood for dinner! The market has come a long way, even in the few short years I've been living here. It's great to see it revitalized and with so many new food vendors.
Chris Gamble
Fabulous mouthwatering article. Love Cadiz....such as brilliant and unique place only a short trip from Gibraltar and the wonderful Costa de la Luz. Great value too.
Lance @ Travel Addicts
Nom, nom. You're making me hungry. I have always wanted to try dogfish (it's fished in the U.S., but generally not sold here). Great photos!
Henry | @fotoeins
Uhm, hola ... mariscos y tortillitas de camarones: más más más ... er ... por 'fa!
Universal translation: NOMS!
El
I used to live in Sanlucar de Barrameda which is another town that forms part of the sherry triangle. There they make manzanilla, a kind of dry sherry which I used to live! Just smelling it takes me back to Cadiz 🙂
Lisa Sadleir
Superb post Lauren. We have just returned form our regular summer holiday in Cadiz. We were lucy to have been given insider tips from a local and you have covered all of them except patatas aliñadas. Have you eaten them in Cadiz too?
I'll be bookmarking this post to take with us when we go back next year 🙂
Trevor Huxham
Wow! What an amazing guide to Gaditano food—accompanied with mouth-watering photographs, to boot. I had no idea Cádiz was home to high-quality sushi, those whole-fried shrimp fritters, or even sea anemones! Love all these recommendations, both the dishes and the restaurants.
BTW do you know why the cathedral is two-toned (bright white on top and grayish-brown below)? Was it attacked in the Civil War, or restored/rebuilt recently?
Meghann@HolaMatrimony
The explanation that I've heard is that the darker stone is what is found regionally, which is why you see many churches and other buildings made of a similar stone in Andalucía. The white is a type of marble which isn't mined in Spain and was a gift from Italy. The cathedral was also constructed over a large span of time (more than a 100 years) so that may be a factor as well.