Eating out around Juzcar is cheap by UK standards, as almost all of the bars and restaurants rely on local trade rather than tourists.

Generally speaking, the Spanish tend to eat at later times than those we’re used to in the UK. It is quite normal for restaurants to serve lunch from 1.00 – 3.30pm. They re-open at about 7:30pm but expect to do most of their evening business between 9.00pm and midnight.

If you can find somewhere that will serve you earlier than these times, and this won’t be easy in rural Andalucia, then you will probably be dining in solitude, or in the company of other tourists.

However, there are so many bars and cafés serving good quality food that restaurant opening hours are largely irrelevant.

Most bars and restaurants offer a ‘menu del dia’ (menu of the day) for about 7 Euros (approx £4.80). This  usually offers:

• Bread and olives
• A choice of 3 starters
• A choice of 3 main courses
• A choice of coffee or desserts
• A drink (wine, beer or soft drink)

This is often a substantial meal and is invariably home cooked using fresh ingredients. 

If you want something lighter then most bars serve tapas throughout the day.  These small bar snacks are usually served as an accompaniment to a glass of wine or beer and include things like:

• Serrano ham
• Spanish omelette
• Calamares
• Meatballs with a rich tomato sauce
• Sheep's cheese

All kinds of fish and shellfish are common, as are cold meats, salads, cheeses and mushrooms.

Every white village in Andalucia has at least one tapas bar where people go to enjoy a drink, a bite to eat and of course a chat with friends.

If you would like something less substantial than a ‘menu del dia’ but more filling than tapas, you can ask for a ración.

This is simply a tapas dish served in a ‘main meal’ sized portion. In fact many of the bars in Andalucia offer a selection of dishes in either tapas, half portion or ración.