Top 10 Breakfast Bars in the Serranía de Ronda…

The Top 10 Breakfast Bars in the Serranía de Ronda according to Secret Serrania contributor Paul Whitelock. Do you agree with his selection? You can add your own recommendations in the comments below…

Venta el Puente (La Indiana)

Located near the bridge over the River Guadalevín on the MA-7401 from Ronda to Benaoján this delightful spot next to the road is run by Carmen Luisa and her daughter Lianny from the Dominican Republic. Always welcoming, you can more or less design your own breakfast if she has the ingredients. She offers a range of interesting breads too, not just the ubiquitous mollete. My favourite breakfast is two slices of wholemeal bread with a generous helping of well-cooked bacon and two poached eggs for 4.50€. Breakfast from 10 am. Closed on Tuesdays. Tfno: 689 18 76 05

Hotel Molino del Puente (La Indiana)

Just off the A374, the Carretera de Sevilla, at Junction 26 is this delightful boutique hotel. I had breakfast there on Sunday morning. Well, I am “de Rodríguez”  and I couldn’t be bothered making my own at home. I have to tell you, I was astonished. Slices of watermelon, orange juice, a platter of serrano ham, chorizo and local cheese, two fried eggs and bacon, a pan integral mollete (toasted), tomato purée and a cake, plus two coffees. All for 8€ ! Ring first to check availability. Tfno: 952 87 41 64

Bar La Fragua (Ronda)

Recently reformed because of the COVID-19 crisis, the place has been opened up and now offers a medium-sized bar at the front, a larger room behind and a huge terrace. Always a popular breakfast spot, you can get a variety of more substantial breakfasts than the typical mollete with oil and tomato purée. My favourite is similar to the fry-up I like at Venta el Puente. My wife Rita likes un mollete integral con filete de cerdo y tomate. Great coffee too! When we pay, Rita always thinks we have been undercharged, it’s so cheap. Closed on Mondays. Tfno: 952 19 04 91

Bar Melli (Montejaque)

The best of the bars serving breakfast in the Plaza de la Constitución. Fairly standard fare but generous portions and cheap. Lovely place to sit and watch Montejaque come to life. Run by Pepi and her son Dani. Closed on Thursdays.

Terraza Bar El Castillo (Ronda)

This oasis is set amongst trees and flowers in Plaza de la Duquesa de Parcent (where Ronda Town Hall is). It’s worth lingering here in the shade as you enjoy your traditional mollete con aceite y tomate triturado. Other options are available too. Run by two brothers, Diego and Antonio, it’s quiet and relaxed. Open every day. Tfno: 677 00 18 95

Casa del Jamón (Ronda)

On Calle Jerez. A totally different experience to elsewhere. Signature breakfast is jamón ibérico in a pitufo, fresh orange juice and coffee. You can also buy wines from the Ronda bodegas and locally produced cheeses like payoyo. The surroundings are delightful, a veritable museum of old stuff like vinyl records, old bikes, typewriters, etc. Tfno: 952 87 15 96. You can order products online from their website www.lacasadeljamon.net/web/en/

Cafetería La Esquina (Ronda)

Located down the side street by the Clinic at the top of Calle La Bola, and diagonally opposite Hacienda, this café only opened just over a year ago. The place is clean and tidy, the service is friendly and fast and they offer a range of different breads, with a variety of traditional spreads, like zurrapa. But best of all they offer churros every day if that’s what you fancy. Open every day.

Cafetería Granier (Ronda)

Address is Carrera Espinel 42, ie on the corner of Calle La Bola and Plaza Carmen Abela. This bakery and pastelería also has a cafetería offering a wide range of breakfasts in/on different breads, eg integral, centeno, cereales. Our favourite is pitufo de atún con ensalada. The terrace is great for people watching! Tfno: 952 87 16 59

Bar Stop (Benaoján Estación)

Very popular with the workers from the several factories producing pork products, this is a basic Spanish bar with standard breakfasts at low prices. Run with an iron hand by the formidable Ani, the atmosphere fizzes like nowhere else. Closed on Saturdays. Tfno: 952 16 71 42

Pensión El Chozo (Arriate)

Another popular breakfast bar mainly used by workers. You can’t go wrong in this kind of place. If workers use it you know it will be good value for money. Also a Pensión, this is a good place to stay if you’re on a budget. Open every day. Tfno: 952 165 244