El Gato - Cuevas del Almanzora

This bar offers both cold beer and remarkable tapas. Their prawns in batter are excellent as is their magra (pork in tomato sauce . Well worth a visit. Very busy on a Sunday morning as it is a Spanish favourite during the market.

Sunday is market day in Villaricos. By ten the place is humming with people coming to buy their fruit and veg or just looking for that special little somewthing at a knock down price. At some point they need to fuel up and many go to El Gato. Why? Because it 's the best, for food and atmosphere. There 's little point in asking for a menu. Squeeze through the hords around the bar while one of you 'bags ' a table (hover and pounce is the game). At the far end of the bar, if you can squeeze that far are the toilets but more importantly, the kitchen. If you peer through the hatch you 'll see two or three ladies bravely tring to keep a supply of varied dishes for the never ending train of customers. There 's little point in naming dishes either, they cook what they can buy locally freshly caught fish, pork, lamb and hams, salchichas (sausages), chorizos (pork sausage coloured and flavoured with dried red capsicums), various pieces of vegetable fried in a tempura batter and patatas which inevitably means chips/fries. El Gato 's food and drinks are always affordable , you don 't need to think twice about giving into your greed, enjoy the moment!

Traditional Spanish bar serving tapas and bigger dishes, nice and lively on the square, always a good atmosphere and friendly staff. Extremely good value too :

It's a modest site, obviously, but with the kind treatment of your people, some rations of generous local products at a good price, you won't be unhappy, sure.

Nothing nicer than to sit in the morning sunshine with a cup of coffee watching the crowds go by at the market. Owner is very friendly and at 1 euro for a great cup of coffee, excellent value. El Gato is always on our stopping list for our Sunday market visit.