It is called Tiki Tapa.

The first time we ate there more or less by accident, but we’ve returned several times since then.

We had intended to have lunch at one of our favorite restaurants. However, the place was closed that day, and since it was siesta time there weren’t many options.

So we went to the boulevard to have a quick snack and something to drink at one of the fast food places.

Unfortunately, the owner — who clearly likes her customers — wasn’t there. Instead we found a surly waitress who couldn’t care less. Her attitude was so bad that we left and went somewhere else.

We ended up next door, at Tiki Tapa.

We were greeted by a friendly waiter who asked what we’d like to drink, and whether we wanted a menu in English, Spanish or Catalan.

Tiki Tapa, Blanes
© Copyright VisitBlanes.com

This nice greeting set the tone for the rest of our experience. We consulted the menu, as well as the hand-written sandwich boards and selected our meals.

We were impressed by the fact that the waiter took the time to answer our questions, and that making a substitute was no problem. I had spotted a fried eggs dish with chorizo and french fries, and asked whether it was possible to have patatas bravas instead of the fries.

While we waited we drank ort cold beers and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the boulevard and the beach and sea beyond.

Great food, friendly service, nice ambiance

We did not have to wait long, but as we soon discovered it wasn’t fast food either. Our meals looked and smelled wonderful — and the taste immediately made clear that we had found another spot to add to our short list of recommended places to eat.

As somewhat of an authority on the subject (by virtue of a healthy appetite) I must say that Tiki Tapas serves the best tasting patatas bravas I have found anywhere.

The combination with the fried eggs and chorizo (other ingredients are available as well) was fantastic.

The portions were generous as well and, just as important, the dishes were well-presented. In fact, the whole ambiance of the place — comfortable, black chairs and hand-written sandwich boards instead of fading, odd-colored posters of standard dishes — contributed much to the experience.

Like I said, we’ve been back at Tiki Tapa several times now, and feel confident in recommending this place for a nice meal, good beer and friendly service.

Prices are very reasonable.

Where to find Tiki Tapa

Tiki Tapa is located at Passeig Pau Casals 40. It is close to the music stage at the end of the promenade along the main beach of Blanes.

You can eat inside, but we dined at the outdoor terrace. You’ll recognize it by the black chairs and hand-written sandwich boards.

Tiki Tapa
Passeig Pau Casals 40
Blanes

Telephone: 872 986 046
Tiki Tapa @ Facebook

Sure, plenty of people venture out of the ‘tourist district’ of El Pins — which has Blanes’ highest concentration of hotels as well as a good number of camp grounds — but they seldom venture any further than the restaurants and assorted eateries along the boulevard.

And that while just one street over from the beach, some real treasures can be found. We’re talking about Passeig de Dintre, which runs parallel to Passeig de Cortils i Vieta — that’s the promenade along Platja Blanes — the beach of Blanes, situated between ‘the rock’ (Sa Palomera) and the harbor.

Next time you walk along that promenade, cross the street at Carrer Ample, about halfway the boulevard. The next street is Passeig de Dintre, to your left, and Plaza Espana, to your right.

At the corner of Passeig de Dintre you see Café Terrassans. This is Blanes’ favorite tapas bar — and once you’ve eaten there, you know why.

Guidebooks — which tend to copy each other — will tell you the tourists sit outside while the locals sit inside. To a certain extend that is true, but really… where you sit is up to you. Plenty of locals sit outside as well — and a good many tourists like the atmosphere inside. We like it either way: outside or inside, the experience is unforgettable.

Come when the place is busy (outside siesta hours) for the freshest offerings.

By the way, during the morning hours Passeig de Dintre is the scene of a fresh fruit and vegetables market.