Head out on the Almuñécar Ruta de la Tapa and get your tapas passport stamped! You are in for wonderful treats and special tapas made for this event each Spring. Each year the tapas and restaurants change, so keep coming back!
What is Ruta de la Tapa?
This all began in 2015 and is now an annual tradition, with each year topping the last. The purpose is to energize and promote small and medium-sized businesses in addition to promoting Almuñécar’s rich and varied cuisine. It is put on by the Hotel Association of the Tropical Valley with the hope that customers have a memorable experience and either return to their favorite restaurants or perhaps book a special event with them.
This event includes local restaurants, who opt to participate in the Almuñécar Ruta de la Tapa. Each participating restaurant offers one extra special tapa and a drink for a small price, usually 3,50€. There are rules to follow to register as a participating restaurant, so you can be sure this is regulated. Some of the tapas are scrumptious Spanish fare and others are trendy gastronomical delights.
When the final list of restaurant participants and their special offer is determined, the Town Hall produces a special map. This map will show the location of each restaurant, as well as a photo and description of the tapa they will offer. Once you have ordered your tapa, that particular restaurant will stamp your “tapa passport” to show you were there. We all try our best to fill up our passport.
When all is said and done, you then fill in your personal details on your tapa passport and rate your favorites locations/tapas. The votes are all tallied and the winning restaurants are announced! You must have consumed a minimum of 5 tapas locations for your vote to count.
2021 Tapas Dishes
When is Ruta de la Tapa?
VII Almuñécar Tapa Route May 21 – June 04, 2021
This usually kicks off the gastronomic events for the year and is typically held each Spring (March – May). The dates usually include two weekends, so there is ample time to try as many as you can. Sometimes it is two consecutive weekends, with a pause mid-week. Other times it starts on the Friday of one weekend and ends on the Saturday of the following weekend. In 2021, it will be 15 consecutive days!
Look at the “Tartarito Del Gusto” that will be available at Mesón Del Gusto!
Beef tartar, truffle oil, parmesan, chive, salt&pepper, crispy parmesan tile.
Where do I Get My Ruta de la Tapa Passport?
You may pick up a “passport” at any of the registered restaurants participating in the event or at the tourist office locations.
You may submit your ballot, with a minimum of 5 stamps, in the secured boxes at the tourist offices or at the Ayuntamiento.
Voting
Your votes count! You will base your vote on various criteria; appearance, taste and if the tapa was as described. The aim of the event is to promote our gastronomy, using local products, with tropical fruits and Mediterranean fish as the main ingredients. Each special tapa dish will be tasted and evaluated by a professional jury and by the public, with a final decision percentage of 70% and 30% respectively.
There will be awards for the top three restaurants. For this 7th edition of the tapas route there will be three awards.
- First place: 1,000 euros, with honorary distinction, as well as free participation in the next edition of the Gastronomic Fair. Also,a promotional campaign of the establishment on the advertising poster of the Gastronomic Fair.
- Second place: 300 euros, with honorary distinction
- Third place: 100 euros, with honorary distinction
The passports must have a minimum of five tapas consumed, stamped, and sealed before turning them in. You may submit your votes at the collection point of the ayuntamiento, the tourist information on the Paseo del Altillo or the tourist office on Av. Europa. The deadline to submit the “passports” is June 9, 2021.
2021 Restaurants!
Here is the list of the 18 participating restaurants for 2021, as released by the Ayuntamiento. Go on and visit as many of the establishments and enjoy the delicious food on offer for the 2021 tapas route!
Link to map and routes online.
There is also a QR code to scan with your phone
Other Gastronomic Events
Gastronomic Fair (usually in June)
Who loves good food? Yes, you do! Every year Almuñécar holds a foodie event called the Feria Gastronomica in Majuelo Park. Be prepared to sample the delicious food from each of the stalls and also partake in a few beverages as well. It isn’t just about food and drinks though. No, you will also be very entertained and this is just one of the annual events which are the sign that summer is on the way.
Recipes
Spanish Recipes – Maria’s Tinto de Verano
Maria’s Tinto de Verano is the perfect refreshment for those hot summer days. Shhh, don’t tell, but we love them year-round! Tinto de Verano is a refreshing chilled wine-based cocktail, which literally translates as summer red wine. It is very similar to the popular Sangria but much easier to make. View recipe here.
Spanish Recipes – Ñoquis Con Chipirones (Gnocchi with baby squid)
This recipe for Ñoquis Con Chipirones, is brought to you by Elle from Spain Buddy. Since moving to Spain in 2006, I have thrown myself headfirst into Spanish cuisine. Initially, I was happy just to eat it, but as time went on I wanted to be able to recreate those experiences at home. View recipe here.
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