Welcome to our ultimate guide to the best bars and restaurants in Gibraltar! Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite, leisurely lunch or special dinner, our article reveals all the top spots The Rock has to offer.
Gib’s strong British influence means that you can find many eateries offering fish and chips, afternoon tea and the traditional Sunday roast. However, there are so many other culinary delights to enjoy, whatever your tastes. Gibraltar is a cultural melting pot, and this is reflected in its vibrant food scene, featuring a fusion of British, Spanish, Italian, North African and local cuisines.
Calling all foodies, we’ve got you covered! To keep things simple, we have grouped our pick of Gib’s best bars and restaurants according to area, heading from north (airport end) to south (Europa Point). Enjoy!
Ocean Village
Home to a range of bars, cafés and waterfront eateries with beautiful sea views, including some chain restaurants (Las Iguanas, Pizza Express, Wagamama…).
Little Bay Bar and Indian Restaurant: Award-winning North Indian food with a modern twist, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. What’s more, you can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and creative mocktails.
Biancas: Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with daily specials, and a relaxing terrace overlooking the marina.
Aqua Bar is the top-deck poolside bar of the Sunborn Hotel. It’s the perfect place for early evening drinks with stunning views of the Rock and marina.
The Hendrix Pub: A traditional British pub with a friendly atmosphere, live music, sports events on TV, quiz and karaoke nights.
Discover more about Ocean Village and why it’s one of Gibraltar’s top entertainment and dining hubs here.
Casemates Square
A popular meeting place for locals and tourists, this buzzing square is the ideal place to take a break from sightseeing and watch the world go by. Lined with numerous bars and restaurants—some more touristy than others—it offers plenty of options for a refreshing drink or meal al fresco. Here are our top picks!
The Queen’s Picturehouse and Eatery (tucked away in a corner of the square): Fine dining and a beautiful, classy décor with memorabilia from the former Queen’s Cinema. The menu caters to all tastes and features bruschetta, Iberian ham, king prawn tempura, salads, slow-cooked pork shank, chicken roulade and wild sea bass. There is also a cosy private cinema room for film screenings or private hire.
Aquaterra (just behind the square, at the top of Main St) is an absolute gem! High-quality Mediterranean food including Iberian ham, croquettes, clams, dry-aged steaks and grilled octopus. Plus awesome cocktails and top-notch service.
Situated between Casemates Square and Ocean Village, Gauchos Steakhouse offers the best Argentinian steaks cooked to perfection on a black rock grill.
The Lord Nelson: One of Gib’s most popular traditional British pubs. The atmospheric themed bar has been modelled on HMS Victory, complete with sails, rigging and memorabilia. A great place for live music, to watch sports, or enjoy a relaxing drink and pub grub.
Old Town
A bustling area with cobbled streets, historic buildings and pleasant café terraces. The restaurants, cafés and bars are especially popular at lunchtime.
Housed in a stunning, centuries-old building, the El Kasbah is an absolute must, and one of our favourites in Gibraltar. Enjoy delicious North African and Middle Eastern cuisine served in an authentic and intimate setting. The mouthwatering dishes include sharing platters (hummus, spicy carrot salad, dips, falafel, crispy cauliflower bites, tabbouleh…), traditional Moroccan soup served with dates and chebakia, spiced meat skewers, fluffy couscous and flavoursome tagines with lemon chicken, kefta or lamb. As well as its amazing food, El Kasbah is also a cultural hub with music and poetry nights, art workshops and performances.
Paparazzi Steakhouse is a popular restaurant offering fresh, high-quality and well-presented food. Premium meats (Rubia Gallega, Argentinian rib-eye, Irish Angus, Wagyu…), specials board, salads, pasta, a good selection of wines and a homemade cheesecake to die for!
If you’ve got a craving for traditional British fare, head to The Clipper in Irish Town. One of Gib’s best spots for fish and chips, as well as English breakfast, pies, jacket potatoes, apple crumble and sticky toffee pudding. Early bird and evening meal deals available.
Chatham Counterguard
Named after the Earl of Chatham, who was the Governor of Gibraltar from 1821, Chatham Counterguard is a lively strip featuring tapas and wine bars.
My Wines is a great sunset spot, with regular wine tastings and live music and party vibes on the roof terrace. An incredible selection of 300+ wines from over 23 countries!
Head along to La Tapilla Sixtina Tapas bar and restaurant for excellent hot and cold tapas, and Spanish food and wines.
Just a five-minute walk west from Chatham Counterguard, a special mention for Hustle n’ Flow Eatery for breakfast and lunch. An excellent health food café with vegan and gluten-free alternatives for everything! A great selection of smoothies, toasts, wraps, salads, pancakes and brunch, plus really friendly service.
Queensway Quay
This upmarket waterfront area is home to stylish bars and restaurants, many of which have outdoor seating to relax and enjoy the view of the marina.
Monique’s Bistro has an extensive, mostly Mediterranean menu with excellent seafood dishes. It is also a popular venue for events.
The family-run Rendezvous Chargrill restaurant has a wood-and-charcoal oven known as ‘Big Bertha’ which gives the homemade dishes a unique flavour. Don’t miss their speciality longboards for sharing: vegetarian, Mediterranean, fish or grilled meats.
Heading down from Queensway Quay towards the South District, 4 Stagioni is a traditional Italian restaurant that is popular among locals for its authentic, homemade pizzas, pasta, and risotto. The eatery is just a stone’s throw from the Botanic Gardens, which is perfect for a stroll after your meal.
A meal at the iconic Rock Hotel on the lower rock is an outstanding fine dining experience with stunning views. The restaurant’s signature dishes include pan-seared breast of duck and homemade ravioli, plus an excellent wine list. For a special treat, afternoon tea at The Rock Hotel is all about timeless elegance, tradition and panoramic views. Enjoy tasty sandwiches, cakes and freshly baked scones with clotted cream.
Last but not least, if you fancy a drink or meal with a sea view, it doesn’t get much better than Bistro Point at Europa Point. Open for breakfast and lunch with breathtaking views of The Strait, North Africa and the Spanish Coast
Gibraltarian cuisine
Tasting local specialities is one of the pleasures of discovering a new destination. Look out for the following dishes that showcase Gib’s rich cultural heritage.
Rosto is a local pasta dish of Italian origin. It consists of penne pasta in a rich tomato-based sauce with beef or pork, carrots, and mushrooms, topped with grated Edam cheese.
Calentita is a simple unleavened bread made from chickpea flour, water, olive oil, salt and pepper that is baked in the oven. Panissa is similar to Calentita, but you simmer the ingredients in a saucepan for about an hour, stirring constantly, to form a thick paste. The polenta-like dough is then cut into strips and fried, creating a crispy texture.
Torta de Acelgas is a Swiss chard, onion and garlic pie that is traditionally prepared at Easter.
Rolitos is a mixture of boiled eggs, finely chopped olives, bacon, vegetables, garlic and spices wrapped in a thin slice of beef. Once assembled, they are braised, baked or fried.
Japonesa is a sweet fried doughnut with a creamy, custard-like filling.
In conclusion, Gibraltar’s diverse culinary scene reflects its unique blend of British, Spanish, Italian, and North African cultures. Indeed, there really is something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for a relaxing drink with tapas, traditional British fare, Mediterranean-inspired food by the waterfront or a memorable dining experience with stunning views, Gibraltar has it all!
Last Updated on March 20, 2025 by Vanessa Kingwell