A food lover’s road trip in southern Spain

Food is a major part of Spanish culture and in the south of the country it’s no exception. From Michelin-starred restaurants with meticulously-crafted dishes, to centuries-old rituals that produce quality produce, meals here are a memorable experience. Renting a car will allow you to sample some of the best food from throughout the region – and we’ve picked out six places to drive to for dishes you’ll reminisce about long after your holiday is over.

Salmorejo in Córdoba

Less than a 2-hour drive inland from Malaga Airport (around 100 miles) on the A45, Córdoba is a cultural big-hitter with more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other city in the world. It’s also a place to try some delicious Andalusian dishes. One of these is the refreshingly tangy salmorejo, a thicker version of gazpacho, made with tomatoes, garlic, bread, vinegar and olive oil, and served with hard-boiled egg and strips of ham on top. Head to the food market, Mercado Victoria, to try this at La Salmoreteca, a dedicated salmorejo stand by chef Juanjo Ruiz that whips up classic versions as well as quirky takes on the dish. Consider staying at the centrally-located Balcón de Córdoba hotel to enjoy being a short stroll away from the market.

Espinacas con garbanzos in Seville

Seville is just under two hours’ drive (90 miles) from Cordoba down the main A4 road. If you can, make time to stop in the historic city of Carmona en route and take in the spectacular sprawling view of the area from the Parador de Camona hotel, a former fortress. Sharing delectable, moreish plates of tapas is the quintessential dining experience in Seville, and a fantastic dish to try while you’re there is espinacas con garbanzos – chickpeas and spinach seasoned with garlic and mixed spices. This hearty vegetarian dish has Moorish origins and for an authentic take on it head to Seville’s oldest bar, El Rinconcillo, where enormous hams hang from ceiling hooks alongisde walls adorned with traditional hand-painted tiles. Stay in the heart of Seville’s historic centre in Hotel Casa Del Poeta.

Sherry in Jerez

A little over an hour’s drive (55 miles) south of Seville is the energetic city of Jerez (also known as Jerez de la Frontera), famous for its flamenco, traditional horse dancing and sherry. Plan an overnight stay or assign a designated driver ahead of your visit, so you can kick back and relax in a traditional tabanco (bar) with a glass of sherry in hand. For a slightly more indulgent and sherry-related experience, head to La Carbona, a restaurant housed in a former sherry bodega, where you can treat yourself to its five-course tasting menu. Or try some sherry-based dishes in a tapas bar such as Bar Juanito, tucked away down a sidestreet in the centre; look out for dishes like riñones al Jerez (fried veal or lamb kidneys with a splash of sherry) or albóndigas (meatballs) marinated in the fortified wine.

Pescaíto frito in Cádiz

Drive south from Jerez on the A4 for around half an hour (23 miles) to reach Cádiz, Spain’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Cádiz juts out on a strip of land surrounded by sea and a dramatic way to enter the city is to drive over the impressive La Pepa road bridge. Upon arriving, do as the locals do and eat some locally-caught fresh fish here. Crunchy pescaíto frito (mixed fried fish) is a popular dish and many of the bars in central Plaza de Las Flores serve it to eat in or take away. Alternatively, head to Restaurante El Faro de Cadiz in the La Viña neighbourhood, which is frequented by locals and is renowned for its fresh fish and seafood dishes. Book a room at the Dormir en Cádiz guest house, just around the corner, for excellent-value accommodation.

Bluefin tuna in Zahara de los Atunes

Head south from Cádiz to the village of Zahara de los Atunes on the Costa de la Luz. With a picturesque golden beach, while away the day relaxing on the pristine sands and work up an appetite for the area’s famous Bluefin tuna. Atlantic Bluefin tuna is still caught in the area using the ancient, sustainable almadraba method, which dates back to the Phoenician era and is now heavily regulated. Sample the tuna specials at Casa Juanito el Costero in the heart of the village. One of the best times of year to try the fish is during the Ruta del Atún celebrations in May, when local restaurants create special tuna dishes to compete for the prize of best tuna tapa. Consider staying over at Hotel Porfirio which is less than five minutes’ walk from the beach.

Boquerones in Málaga

The fastest route to reach Málaga from Zahara de los Atunes is via the AP7 toll road and the journey should take less than three hours (it’s around 130 miles). For food lovers, no visit to the city would be complete without sampling a plate of salty boquerones (anchovies). They are so tied up with the city’s identity that Málaga’s inhabitants even call themselves boquerones. Try these bitesize anchovies, marinated in white wine vinegar and olive oil, or crisply fried. Meson de Cervantes tapas bar reinvents the dish in pickled form, served with creamy guacamole and sweet mango. Treat yourself to a luxurious end to your trip with a stay at the beachfront Gran Hotel Miramar which has a sweeping rooftop terrace.