Eating Out on Spain's Costa del Sol.

In an area like Andalucia with such a long and abundant coastline, as one would expect there is much emphasis on local fresh seafood dishes, with grilled sardines and deep-fried calamari among the most popular choices. In recent years, Spanish tapas actually originated in Andalucia and now have become a popular export in bars throughout the world. Nowhere, though, is the variety of tapas bars greater than in Andalucia. The selection of snacks is almost endless, from the simple Spanish tortilla to the chorizo sausage, bursting with spices. Perhaps the most well known of the region's dishes is gazpacho, a chilled tomato soup, which makes a refreshing drink in the summer.

However restaurants in Andalucia cater for every conceivable gastronomic taste. International cuisine is found in abundance with Chinese, French, Greek, Indian, Italian, and Thai to mention but a few. Service is generally excellent, if a little more relaxed and unhurried than what you may be accustomed to. Spaniards generally tend to eat out quite late. Whatever you eat, why not try one of the region's local fortified wines as an accompaniment? Sherry from Jerez is known the world over and is usually served chilled and consumed in vast quantities in Andalucia.