Gibraltar has a wonderful dining scene with its impressive cultural diversity. Eating out here is quite enjoyable and relatively affordable compared to dining out in the United Kingdom. During our visit to this beautiful peninsula, I compiled a list of places to eat. If I missed any of your favorites, please let me know in the comments.

1. Magic Hands Patisserie

The best bakery in Gibraltar, offering a mix of European and Moroccan sweets.

Since the Moorish period, Gibraltar's food culture has been nourished by many influences, and you can experience one of the finest examples by visiting one of the excellent bakeries here. I stumbled upon Magic Hands Patisserie and ordered a plate consisting of tuna borek as a savory sweet breakfast, coffee, and walnut cookies decorated with pistachios.

Tip: For those interested in Moroccan cuisine, El Kasbah is highly recommended by the locals; mezze sharing plates and lamb tagines are quite popular, and there are many vegetarian and vegan options available.

2. Tapas by Gauchos

A tapas restaurant that shares Gibraltar's traditions and passion for flavors using the freshest ingredients.

Gambas Pil Pil

In a lovely atmosphere, delicious tapas served with a smile under the arches of Chatham Counterguard—everything we ordered here was fantastic and offered incredible value for money—special mentions go to the Iberico Ham Croquettes (£5) and Gambas Pil Pil (£6.50—don’t forget to order extra bread for the sauce!)

3. Beers at the Clipper

A family-friendly Irish restaurant offering excellent food in a relaxed atmosphere.

Located in Gibraltar's beautiful Irish Quarter, the Clipper is a perfect place for those seeking classic British pub food. They also offer a variety of beers at reasonable prices. Tip: From 6 PM, 2 main courses for 2 people are only £17.95.

4. Spirit of Rock Distillery

Discover the history of gin with a fun and interactive tour and enjoy numerous gin tastings.

Led by charismatic distiller Peter, this tour allows guests to learn about the history of gin, explore the Gibraltar connection, and enjoy a generous tasting of 6 different gins; followed by a delicious gin-based cocktail.

5. Sam’s Kitchen

Gibraltar's unique plant-based restaurant and takeaway.

From healthy salads to crispy BBQ cauliflower wings, plant-based butter "not chicken" wraps, and "not duck" don buri with rice (all for £8.90)—they offer creative vegan and egg options.

6. Calentita

Where can you experience Gibraltar's national dish?

Calentita, Gibraltar's national dish, is like a pancake or flan made from chickpea flour, salt, pepper, and water. It has a simple yet quite comforting flavor. I tried this at the Calentita Food Festival, dedicated to the national dish, but some restaurants like Amar (1 Covent Place), which is Gibraltar's oldest bakery, serve calentita on certain days.

7. Little Bay Bar and Restaurant

An award-winning Indian restaurant serving modern Indian cuisine in a stylish setting.

Some of the best Indian dishes I've tasted around the world! The palak paneer (£13.80) was the best I've ever had, and it became an unforgettable meal with rice and naan bread.

Note

This article was made possible thanks to Visit Gibraltar, who invited us to the Calentita Food Festival. For more information about Gibraltar and to plan your next trip, please visit the Visit Gibraltar website.

If you are traveling to Spain, don’t forget to check out my budget food guide for Seville and my updated budget food guide for Madrid.

If you're planning a trip to London, take a look at my guide to the best cheap eats in London and the best budget-friendly accommodations in London.