Food is generally good in Tarifa - especially fish. Try going for the places filled with locals. They are generally easy to pick out from tourists both Spanish and foreign. Some of the best places in Tarifa also happen to be the cheapest. Don't forget to try the local Tuna, swordfish and, especially, the "Tortillas de camarón", typical of the coast of Cadiz. "Ortigas" sea nettles are another local specialty.
A nice restaurant in the old city is called Mandragora, located on Independencia a small alleyway between the city wall and the Church of San Mateo. It is not cheap, but the food was the best we had in Spain, and it is filled with locals.
Facinas
There is a restaurant near a village Facinas, a few kilometres to the north from Tarifa. Just follow the road to Cadiz and in about 10-12 km there will be a right turn to Fasinas which is in turn a beautiful one spread on a foothills in the form of a cross with a hardly noticeable sign. This restaurant is located just before the village i.e. a kilometre or two away from the main road. It is a meat restaurant with extremely delicious dishes, especially meat ones, and very friendly waitstaff. The portions are rich and generous. Prices are about â¬25-30 with wine 35 tops to full you completely, for two persons. The place is sometimes mainly at weekends crowded with locals watching football matches on TV or having talks to each other. One of the best restaurant in this region. Nobody speaks English there, so be prepared.