Where to eat in San José

San José is the largest and most touristy village in Cabo de Gata, and it shows at mealtime: there's plenty to choose from, from seafood rice dishes to pizza, tapas or roast chicken to take away. What follows is the view of someone from here, not a generic list: where you really eat well, where the value is, and what to avoid. For each place we give an approximate budget.

One useful warning: at the marina the views of the boats are lovely, but it's the most touristy area and near the entrance there's often someone who "reels you in" with menu offers. For a young group, taking one of those offers can be fine (a set menu with sangría and off you go); for couples, families or anyone who wants a calm meal, better to choose with some judgement, whether on the village's main street (where Casa Miguel is) or specific spots in the marina itself that are worth it.

Local tip: In July and August it's worth booking at the rice places and the best-known spots, and ordering the seafood rice when you reserve (it's made to order and takes time). If you have an apartment, a lot can be solved with takeaway: some supermarkets prepare home-style food to order (roast chicken, tortillas, croquetas, gurullos, rice): call, order and pick it up; if you turn up in August without ordering, it may well be sold out.

In San José, in summer, the best plan is often to eat or have tapas anywhere and then stroll along the seafront promenade. A plan that works: some tapas, an ice cream and a walk. Our weakness is the Vittoria gelateria (they also make excellent pizzas).

For a special dinner, at the far end of the marina is the club, with stunning views and a more polished, elegant feel: ideal for a romantic dinner. And it offers more than just dinner, because you can play padel and then stay for breakfast or lunch with the sea in front of you. Just before the club there's a very pleasant terrace with very good tapas and sharing plates. For Italian food, the best known in the marina area is Sollarete.

If you're staying in an apartment, eating in is easy and good value. There's a new supermarket that prepares home-style food to order (roast chicken, tortillas, croquetas, gurullos, rice): you call, order and pick it up. Cheap and practical. That said, in August it's worth ordering ahead, because if you just show up without notice it may already be sold out. Nearby, on Calle Cala Higuera, you have Aloha, which also does roast chickens to take away. For quality shopping, the village's go-to supermarket is the Suma, in the La Molina shopping centre, with an excellent butcher and a good cheese and cured-meat section.