Actually, there is nothing at all wrong with the Restaurant and Bar at El Campanario itself. They have regular live entertainment throughout the year, obviously more often and more varied in high season. At 25 Euro for a 3 course meal it is pretty good value and the ambiance is very nice. It’s not haute cuisine but it’s incredibly convenient if you happen to be staying at an apartment (like ours!) in the resort! No taxis to worry about, just a very short walk. It’s also a lovely place to go for a drink before dinner with the golf course as a backdrop.
Still walking distance, just a little farther along past the entrance to the Monte Biarritz Urbanisation is a very nice typical Italian family – run restaurant called Capannia. Out of all our local restaurants where we can walk from our apartment, this is our favourite. The food is always very fresh, and yes, a little on the expensive side. But as always, you get what you pay for, and this is top notch. Plus, if you happen to like zabaglione as a desert, I can honestly say that the one they do here is exceptional. Its 12 Euros – last time we went was in March 2015, and that was for my wife and I to share – but the flavour, heady with Marsala, and consistency, was amazing. A must.
The nearest Indian which we would highly recommend is Masala, in the El Pilar Urbanisation. It is always consistent, and very good value. Less than 5 minutes by car.
By car, within 5 -6 minutes, we recently found another typical restaurant, this time Spanish, called El Legado, in Cancelada. Don’t be put off by the rather dated décor. This is a firm favourite with the British Ex-Pat community living in the area – perhaps something to do with the 15 Euro (I think) 2 course dinner! Very reasonable and great portions, just like the old days. We splurged and had the chateaubriand for two – it was superb, perfectly cooked and at 45 Euro, very good value – we just couldn’t finish it all! Another favourite with the Brits has to be Cocomo – adjacent to the Robin Hood Bar and Restaurant and the recently rebadged Estepona Senator Hotel – same side as the Marriott Playa Andaluza Resort. Cocomo’s traditional Sunday Lunch is very popular, they have three sittings I think and you need to make a reservation.
This is just a handful of local restaurants that are easily accessible from El Campanario.
Next time I will share some lovely restaurants a little farther afield, as in Benahavis, the “Gourmet Capital of The Costa Del Sol”
Peter Charon and his wife Sue own a two bedroom vacation apartment available for rent all year round in El Campanario - www.apartment-in-costadelsol.co.uk