Closed on Mondays
Tuesday - Friday 10am - 1am
Saturday 11am - 1am
Sunday noon - 1am
GPS: N36.350822º / W 5.233137º

Pdf document -> Menu

Type of food: Tapas
Tapas:  1.50€ - 3€
Glass of wine: 1.50€
Menu of the day:  No
Childrens menu:   No
VAT: included

Parking: in the street
Outside seating: on the sidewalk, quiet
Wifi: No
Credit cards: cash only
Smoking allowed on the terrace

El Refugio is located in the small fishing village of Castillo de la Duquesa right next to the port of la Duquesa. Marie Carmen and her husband opened up this bar in 1992 and have run it ever since. The bar is run by the family and friends and you notice this as soon as you walk in. Good friendly service and home -made tapas is what made us decide to include this in our guide. The ambience inside is rustic and reminiscent of a ski hut and on sunny days you can sit outside on the terrace decorated with plants and overlook the quiet road of Castillo. The fishing men sit at the bar so don´t feel shy to join.

The tapas here, as mentioned before are home made. They are freshly  made every day, so there is no menu and you will need to go inside and chose from the display. Our favourite is the patatas aioli (potatoes in garlic mayonnaise), not too heavy on the mayonnaise and a delicious soft garlic taste.  We also liked the pollo al curry (chicken in curry sauce). This sauce has a scent of cinnamon and tastes very different from the usual pollo al curry you get at other tapas bars.
If you like seafood try the ensalda de cangrejo (crab meat salad) with mayonnaise and pineapple. The gambas al pil-pil (shrimps cooked in olive oil and garlic) - great to dip your bread in and not as spicy as in many other places. Anchovies on white bread - always a good choice.  Or for meat lovers try the albondigas (meat balls), the carne con tomate (softly cooked beef in fresh tomato sauce) or the chorizo (Spanish sausage) - for our taste too fatty, but what do you expect ?

The tapas portions are very generous and served in  a small terracotta bowl - in case you have seen it before. They also have pinchitos (scewers) and bocadillos (baguette sandwiches), which is great for breakfast. For Lunch have the plato combinado, which is a plate with fried eggs, chorizo, pork loin, peppers, salad & fries - a typical spanish meal.

El Refugio is a warm and friendly place with great  tapas.

Andalujo 2010