Twenty years ago a marmalade kitten – later named Isodoro – turned up at La Almazara restaurant here in Órgiva. He’s been here ever since.
He’s often seen in the same spot, like a flattened pumpkin, soaking up the sun’s rays; a purring pinball bouncing between tables for titbits. And he’s a lucky cat indeed – as good a recommendation as any for this restaurant.
La Almazara has a cosy inside area for about 50 people, which is great for winter, and a large outside area with orange trees festooned with fairy lights. It’s a lovely spot in summer and we’ve been several times. The tapas are some of the best in Órgiva (especially the croquetas).
You can order a Romana pizza (anchovies, capers, olives) if you wish – a pizza is around €8.50 – or try a Morrocan lamb, garlic prawn or even duck confit version. But there’s much more to La Almazara than this.
The menu includes dishes such as rabbit marinated with wine and lime; grilled octopus with hummus; and lamb chops baked with thyme. Starters and salads are around €10 with mains ranging from around €12 to €19.
For our first winter lunch we sat in the rustic dining room by an open fire. The building has seen better days but the inner courtyard is charming and there’s even an old piano – with no strings attached.
Caramelo at the end of the meal
The menú del día (€12.50) included esparragos gratinados and onion soup with a poached egg for starters – both delicious – followed by entrecot con setas and chicken curry which was more like a stir-fry. We shared a slice of homemade chocolate and marscapone cake with a café solo each.
Martin looks after customers brilliantly and always with a cheery smile. He flits effortlessly between Spanish and English. You should be offered a complimentary limoncello or caramelo.
We’ve been back a few times with friends in the evening and enjoyed duck breast and mushroom paella, garlic prawns with tagliatelle and a variety of pizzas and it’s all been lovely.
There was no sign of Isodoro, perhaps he was off on one of his trips. [Update 2018: probably gone to meet his maker.]
La Almazara – Avda. González Robles, 53, Órgiva.
Open everyday (except Monday) 1pm to 3.30pm, 8pm to 11.30pm.
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© con jamón spain
con jamón spain 
Just celebrated a birthday on a chilly day by the fire over a tasty soup and fall-off-the-bone oxtails.
Posted by C and E | March 29, 2014, 2:50 pmSounds delicious – glad you were able to sit at the cosy table by the fire. Did Isodoro show up? We were a little worried about him as we hadn’t seen him for a while until last time. As ever, he asked for a tit-bit.
Posted by con jamón spain | March 29, 2014, 5:13 pmAsk Aaron when you’re next in there – they are family.
Posted by Dead Woman Walks | January 8, 2014, 12:56 pmPresume you know about the Robert Graves connection?
Posted by Dead Woman Walks | January 6, 2014, 7:47 pmNo – very interested to hear
Posted by con jamón spain | January 7, 2014, 11:22 amSounds like a good place to drop into 🙂
Posted by Marianne | December 28, 2013, 9:43 pmOh my–can’t wait!
Posted by Charlotte | December 28, 2013, 2:49 pmAt some stage we’ll do an itinerary post: where to go in and around Órgiva if you’re here for a day, a weekend, or a week.
Posted by con jamón spain | December 29, 2013, 4:51 pmHere’s our guide to Órgiva…
Posted by con jamón spain | July 18, 2014, 3:25 pm