Taberna La Manzanilla — Local services in Cádiz

Loved this tiny gem of a bar. I hesitate to share it because it was our favorite in all of Spain. In the owner’s family for 90 years and still run in the traditional way with chalk marks on the counter to record your purchases and just one man behind the bar. The sherries are served from the barrel and the food is simple preservas, jamon and quesos. Despite throngs of tourists half a block away this was genuinely a local watering hole with barely a foreign language to be heard. The barman’s English was excellent but it helps to speak a little Spanish, which is also polite. Can not recommend this enough if you’re looking for a genuine experience. But please don’t visit - we’d like it to...

Taberna La Manzanilla, an absolute must visit when in Cadiz, to sample old-time authentic Spanish sherry bar culture. The bar owner is a class act and so proud to share its history and how long it has been in his family (3 generations). The casks' sherrys are all premium quality and such good value by the glass (we nearly tried them all !!) the bar food was top notch to match the drinks, the melt in the mouth local ham was delicious along with the smoked chesses and tinned olives...perfect pairing!! Also, the chalking your bill on the bar added to the authenticity of the experience of enjoying this...

My wife and I visited, whilst holidaying in Cádiz, to get some advice on and an introduction to the local sherries. Unfortunately, we didn't really feel welcome and I was simply pointed back to the blackboard/menu when I asked for recommendations in my admittedly poor Spanish (although I can normally make myself understood, given a little effort on both sides).

We stayed for a couple of rounds, hoping that the atmosphere would become less frosty and more welcoming, but it didn't.

On this basis, I am not able to recommend Taberna...