Tarifa has emerged as one of coolest destinations in Southern Spain, a bohemian coastal city, that dazzles in the brilliant Andalucian sunlight, a place redolent of faraway adventures, and the exotic allure of North Africa. Here, on the edge of the old town, with commanding views of the ancient city walls, and over the rooftops to the Strait, and the mountains of Africa beyond, is Trocadero Tarifa.
This vibrant restaurant and cocktail bar captures the essence of this carefree, unconventional destination, while bringing the renowned flair and quality of the Trocadero group to the Costa de la Luz.
You can’t miss Trocadero Tarifa. As you enter the port town, gateway to another continent and a favourite sporting destination with kite surfers, you quickly catch sight of the large letters by the side of the road, spelling out Trocadero. Here you see the signature style of the group, with an evocative entrance built with an intricately carved, reclaimed doorway from Thailand under a thatched roof, writes Andrew Forbes (The Luxury Editor).
(Photos by Andrew Forbes and Elena Bau)
Vibe
Take the first left and you find the guest parking. From here, climb the wooden steps up to a large sun-drenched and shaded terrace, vibrant with palms, and architectural cacti and decorated with Moroccan mosaic tables, heavy wooden artisan chairs and colourful tablecloths. The style is beach meets the exotic.
Blond woods and bamboo on the terrace, combine with rattan, marine rope and macramé while inside warm woods, artefacts from Asia and colourful fabrics blend with bespoke lighting. Together it makes a perfect mix between the sophisticated and the homespun – this is the romantic eclectic, signature aesthetic of Trocadero, and one that fits so perfectly with the Tarifa vibe. I’m told that the design is by studio Lucas y Hernández-Gil, with Trocadero Tarifa project managed by Carlos Zafra.
This is the setting for a Mediterranean culinary journey that hints at faraway destinations, inspired by the view that draws the eye to the mountains of another continent and the promise of adventure and discovery,
The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, in true Trocadero style, focusing on Spanish produce with international influences, and Mediterranean gastronomy with nods to other cultures, including Asia and Africa.
Tarifa is down to earth, laidback and at times raw. Sometimes it can be tricky to find a good restaurant, so Trocadero is a truly welcome addition to the food and drink scene here. Manager Miguel Collado is passionate about the destination and will make sure you have recommendations to make the most of your visit to the shining coast of light.
Cocktails
We arrived on a sunny Sunday, with the ubiquitous Tarifa breeze awning the palms on the Trocadero terrace. Our meal began with signature cocktails by the talented head barman, David Garcia Gonzalez. He recommended the Sparkling Passion, served in a high ball, which mixed rum with filtered herb-infused passion fruit with champagne for a fresh, clear, and flavoursome aperitif. The other cocktail, Playa Chica, which pays homage to the town’s most sheltered beach, was a delicious mix of tequila, mezcal and pineapple. The drinks menu is a temptation. David is a talented alchemist, and you will surely want to try other original creations, like the Mayahuel, an alluring mix of Patron tequila, roasted pineapple, green pepper, agave, and maguey.
Menu
The menu features Trocadero classics like ceviche, fried octopus with kimchi mayonnaise, grilled calamari, as well as sushi by Chef Oscar Salmeron Jover, lots of local almadraba tuna dishes of course, rice and meat from the grill. The tempura langoustine with spicy mayonnaise is perfect for sharing, and the rice dishes too, are served on iron skillets. There is the classic rice with white fish, squid, and prawns, as well as black rice with squid, and also a vegetarian version. Trocadero is renowned for sourcing prime quality ingredients and that’s more than evident with the meat dishes, (we had the sirloin which was not only tender and flavoursome but very generous too).
Leave room for classic puddings – like cheesecake, apple tart, or tiramisu or try the ‘cocoa’ dessert that looks like a cocoa pod but is filled with hazelnut and chocolate – great with a frozen pina colada with smoked cinnamon. The price for a 3-course meal is about 50 – 60 euros. Cocktails from 12-euro, wine from 4,5 a glass.
DJ Evenings
Following in the live music tradition of Trocadero, here the Tarifa restaurant offers live music every Friday and Saturday. DJ Andrés Falcone brings his vibrant style to late-night sessions from 18:00 to 23:00 – the perfect way to celebrate life during the endless summer of Southern Spain.
Contact details
Website: grupotrocadero.com
Address: C. Coronel Francisco Valdés, 20, 11380 Tarifa, Cádiz province, Spain
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