Taberna de Javier

Taberna de Javier is a well-loved tapas bar in Mérida that has earned a loyal following among residents of the city and visitors who discover it during time spent among the Roman monuments. Located on Calle Dávalos near the Roman Forum, it occupies the middle ground of Mérida's tapas scene: more focused and better quality than the generic bars near the tourist sights, and more relaxed and affordable than the sit-down restaurants further from the centre. The kitchen's strengths are the seafood tapas that arrive daily from the coast — coquinas, the tiny baby clams characteristic of the Huelva coastline, are steamed open with white wine and parsley and served in their shells with immediacy and care; boquerones al vinagre, fresh anchovies marinated in vinegar and olive oil, are white, firm and properly seasoned; and jamón serrano con pan con tomate, the simplest possible preparation of cured ham with tomato-rubbed bread, is assembled with good ingredients that require no further intervention. The house wine, a young Ribera del Guadiana red served in a jug or by the glass, is priced modestly and consumed freely, which contributes to the lively atmosphere that builds through the evening. The interior is warm and informal — wooden tables, tiled walls and the comfortable noise of a popular local bar. The service has the engaged directness of a place run by people who care about their regulars rather than a rotation of anonymous staff.