I am happy to oblige on restaurant recommendations as I really enjoy eating out and exploring the area. My personal favourites are Hotel Encarnacion - for al fresco lunch - scallop salad is not only gorgeous but looks fabulous as well. Tapas are great there also and the view from the terrace is beautiful.
La Almazara in Santa Rosalia - great starters (big enough to share) from 7 or 8 euro, main courses from 10 euro - steaks are fabulous and cost around 18 euro, desserts 5 euro - a really gorgeous restaurant with a lovely terrace and great wine list. Service is excellent and ambiance very congenial. I don't know where the pricey reputation comes from as our usual bill is under 70 euro with wine, pre dinner drinks and brandy with our coffees.
Collados de Roda- new clubhouse owners - do fantastic tasting menu at 35 euro a head which although a little pricey - perfect for a special occasion and includes three starters each plus a salad, one main course and two desserts, we had beef carpaccio, scallops, foie gras and with salmon salad then fillet steaks and creme brulee and cheese foam. All served nice and slowly over a good 2 hours with a nice bottle of vino and some complimentary sweet wine with one of the starters and a dessert wine. Bill was 83 euro including wine and water and owners discount. Not for every day but just for something different. They also have a fantastic golfer's menu of the day which includes an apertivo, salad, starter, main course with choice of one of two fish dishes and two meat dishes and dessert with glass of wine or beer for 17 euro. Unbeatable value for choice and freshness of food and both menus are based on the best and freshest ingredients on the day.
Casa Reloj (Clock House) in San Pedro is also excellent and has a good value Italian restaurant at the front and a nicer and slightly pricier Spanish restaurant behind.
Restaurante Ramon is brilliant for steaks and seafood and reasonable value.
El Chatto is great and newly refurbished. Brilliant range of tapas which we have to share for starters and great steaks and fish, baked cheese is the best I have ever had and is served with their own cheese biscuits and preserves. Highly recommended and very good value.
For takeaway pizzas try La Sombra just under the arch at Los Narejos - opposite Roblemar - pizzas from 4.50 euro - full size and great salads and chips to takeaway also.
We just found a great new Chinese Restaurant in Pilar de la Horadada which is called the Happy Garden and is a wooden fronted building on the main street. Menu del dia from 8 euro which includes a starter -3 soups to choose from or a spring roll, main courses ranging from sizzling dishes beef terryaki, chicken with garlic, King Prawn with Chinese Veg all served with choice of chips, rice or noodles and icecreams for dessert. With half a bottle of vino included per person. Four of us went last week and the bill was an incredible 32 euro. Great food and lovely restaurant with very good service. We will return!!!
La Sal at Hotel Thalassia is great for a real treat and the buffet at the other restaurant there is also fabulous and great value at 18 euro a head.
That should keep everyone eating for a while and I will post some more as I think of them and keep the research ongoing.
