El Cortijiyo - Vejer de la Frontera

Having holidayed on the Costa de la Luz for many years now, the magnificent beaches and the chiringuitos dotted along them were a major part of the attraction. Fresh local food, unpretentious and consistently well prepared. You 'd wander up from the beach, know exactly what to expect, and were never disappointed. However, things are changing, certainly in nearby Conil, where many of the chiringuitos have undergone considerable gentrification over the last couple of years, with fancy food and prices to match. That 's why it 's a pleasure to come back to somewhere like El Cortijiyo which has resisted this trend. Small, busy, noisy, but very pleasant. My wife and I managed to bag a table for two, the only seats left on a busy Sunday in September. We ordered few old favourites pimientos fritos, tortlilla de camerones, Andalusian carrots (I didn 't note the Spanish name, but done in garlic and cumin) patatas alinadas, sardines and filete de cerdo. All freshly prepared, brought to the table as soon as ready, washed down with a bottle of Barbadillo. Nothing spectacular in culinary terms, but exactly what you want after a morning messing about in the sea and on the beach. I hope establishments like this escape the rush towards sophistication . There 's a very definite place in the market for the likes of El Cortijiyo.

Great beach chiringuito serving decent food. Very relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. No gourmet food though the gambas al ajillo is excellent.

In El palmar you have a few high end fish restaurants which sometimes try too hard to justify their prices, with Ill conceived sauces and strange combinations. At the other end of the spectrum there are cheap eats, often at a bar or cafe nothing special. Then there is El Cortijiho which serves consistent, fresh, authentic local dishes in relatively humble surroundings. If you are a foodie and don’t feel the need to pay for white tablecloths, go here. We have been coming for years and it has got better and better, even the simple vegetables like the carrots, tomatoes, padrons or potatoes are sublime. The cazon en adobo is succulent and aromatic. The sardines are great, although not always available. Local fish is deftly handled. So many great dishes from the friendly Paco and team.

Llegamos por casualidad y no pudimos tener más suerte. Restaurante pet friendly, que a priori puede parecer que va a ser un sitio más normal y ni mucho menos, puede que fuera el mejor atún que probamos durante los días que estuvimos allí. La atención genial y la comida mejor aún. Sitio para volver por calidad y precio. Un 10.

Lugar acogedor, con un trato insuperable... y el pescado exquisito