Marisquería Casa Bigote

Marisquería Casa Bigote is one of the most storied seafood pilgrimage restaurants in Spain, established in 1962 at Bajo de Guía on the beach at the mouth of the Guadalquivir river in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The Cádiz province town sits at the edge of the Doñana National Park and the unique combination of freshwater from the river meeting Atlantic salt water creates conditions that produce langostinos — tiger prawns — of exceptional quality and flavour. Langostinos de Sanlúcar are considered the finest prawns in Spain, rivalled only by those from the Huelva coast, and Casa Bigote has built its entire reputation around showcasing them: boiled simply in sea water (cocidos), griddled with a touch of sea salt (a la plancha), or fried. The setting reinforces the pilgrimage quality of the meal — tables on or near the beach facing the Doñana marshes across the river, fishing boats pulled up on the sand, a view that has changed little in decades. Manzanilla sherry, produced in Sanlúcar itself and unique for the sea-air influence on its fermentation, is the natural accompaniment. The wine cellar holds an exceptional collection of older manzanillas from Sanlúcar's top bodegas. Casa Bigote also produces tortillitas de camarones (tiny prawn fritters), fresh anchovies, and whatever else has come in from the day's catch. Reservations are essential in summer and on weekends year-round; the restaurant fills with gaditanos and Sevillanos making the specific trip.