Going out for breakfast is an institution in Andalucía. Everybody does it, from the humble manual worker, to mechanics, to office workers, to shop assistants, bank managers, lawyers, politicians and even pensioners. And it’s a trend catching on amongst tourists also. Many accommodation deals don’t include breakfast, so you have to pay on top, typically between 5 and 10 euros per person, although the parador hotels charge an eye-watering 17 euros per person! So, if you are in the area on holiday, it makes sense to go out for this first meal of the day. Here are Paul Whitelock´s recommendations for the dozen best breakfasts in and around Ronda.
For a bit of linguistic help with ordering breakfasts have a look here: https://www.rondatoday.com/ventas-in-spain-el-tropezon-in-the-village-of-montecorto/
Bar Ankanita (formerly Bar Stop), Estación de Benaoján
Estación, C. Benaoján, 29370 Benaoján, Málaga
This popular bar by the railway station in Benaoján opens at 7 am every day bar Thursday, and breakfast is available as soon as the local baker delivers his molletes, rustic bread and baguettes.
Breakfasts here are typical for this area, involving zurrapa, pates, ham, cheese, etc. Prices are good too, with coffee still at 1 euro and a chupito also 1 euro.
Cafetería Las Campanas, Plaza del Socorro, Ronda
Plaza del Socorro 17, 29400, Ronda, Málaga
The only affordable place on this town centre square. They only use gluten-free products, which is a bonus for coeliacs and other gluten-intolerant folk.
Again, a traditional offering, but sitting outside on the terrace and watching the world go by is very entertaining.
Casa del Jamón, Calle Jerez, Ronda
C. Jerez, 16, 29400 Ronda, Málaga
This is a really stylish place, a delicatessen really. They sell a wide range of local products, including local wines, in what is a museum of interesting artefacts, from old records to typewriters, and paraphernalia from the 20th century and earlier.
The breakfasts are rather special. We always have a serrano, which comprises a baguette with serrano ham plus coffee for 3.50 euro. Our vegetarian friend either goes for a nice payoyo cheese or tuna in place of the ham. If you get there early enough, they even have pan centeno (wholemeal) and pan de cereales. Read more here: https://www.rondatoday.com/la-casa-del-jamon-deli-wine-tasting-bar-museum/
Bar Restaurante Entre Ascuas, Plaza de la Constitución, Montejaque
Plaza de la Constitución, 2, 29360 Montejaque, Málaga
This busy bar, adjacent to the Hotel Palacete de Mañara in the square in Montejaque, offers traditional breakfasts, but also a huge mollete stuffed with smoked bacon and two fried eggs. Delicious. You can switch the eggs for cheese, the favourite of my English builder friend Kevin and sidekick Stewart.
Reasonable prices and great value.
Bar La Fragua, Carretera de Campillos, Ronda
Ctra. Campillos, 2, 29400 Ronda, Málaga
Located close to the garden centre, Viveros Gómez, by the large roundabout to the north of Ronda. We probably go here more often than anywhere else.
They also offer a mean bacon and egg mollete, as well as typical Andalusian fare. And they have great coffee.
Owners Antonio and Charo and waitress Nati are so cheerful, it makes you feel ashamed if you are not.
Great terrace at the back and it’s always cheaper than you expect.
Las Maravillas, Carrer Vicente Espinel, Ronda
Carrera Espinel, 12, 29400 Ronda, Málaga
This delightful restaurant at the bottom of Calle La Bola (Carrer Vicente Espinel) lives up to its name. The breakfasts here are unique in my experience. Not traditional at all, but modern tiered and skewered slices of toasted bread with a range of fillings. I chose the vegetarian option last week and it was delicious.
More expensive than most, but worth it occasionally. Our bill for two with an extra coffee each came to around 16 euros last week.
Sitting on the terrace at the front watching the world scurry or stroll past is a great way to eat a leisurely breakfast.
Bar La Melli, Plaza de la Constitución, Montejaque
Plaza Constitucion, 3, 29360 Montejaque, Málaga
What a great spot for breakfast; you can sit outside in sun or shade and watch Montejaque go about its daily business – deliveries, locals, tourists, workers, pensioners, shoppers. All life is here.
The coffees are great and the breakfasts, standard molletes or reganas (thick sliced toasted local bread) with whatever you like. Pepi, the proprietress, also does a mean bacon and egg mollete.
Cheap but delicious.
E.S. Montecorto (petrol station)
Ctra. Km 101,5 Ronda – Jerez, Montecorto
This petrol station has a great café and shop. A wide choice of breakfasts as well as great coffee and an amazing atmosphere. Villagers seem to use the café as a kind of meeting place or social centre.
There is also a general store and local products are on sale.
Recommended.
Cafeteria Churreria Naranja, opp. law courts, San Rafael, Ronda
C. Médico Luis Peralta, 5, 29400 Ronda, Málaga
If you plan to breakfast here on a Sunday morning, either get there really early or forget it! There will be queues! This is possibly because they offer two types of churros – standard or made from potatoes. I love the latter – they’re tastier and less fatty.
All served with a smile and reasonably priced.
La Ponderosa, opp. Bus station, Ronda
Pl. Concepción García Redondo, 1, 29400 Ronda, Málaga
Another churreria, which is usually busy, especially at the weekends. A generous portion of churros, with or without chocolate, washed down with coffee and fresh orange juice, makes for a great start to the day, whether at 8 am or midday.
You can watch the coachloads of tourists of all nationalities that alight their buses here and then trail into town.
Bar Sánchez, Calle Imágenes, Barrio San Francisco, Ronda
This small bar just inside the Almocábar Gate to the south of town is a delightful venue for a relaxed and cheap breakfast. Traffic free, you can enjoy this sheltered spot, as you munch on your delicious mollete con aceite y tomate (toasted flat roll with olive oil and pureed tomato) or tostada con zurrapa de hígado (thick slice of toasted rustic bread with liver pate).
This is a good place to pause if you are following “Ronda, Andalucía’s City of Dreams: Walking Tour” (https://www.rondatoday.com/the-voicemap-gps-audio-guide-for-ronda/)
Venta El Puente
Carretera de Benaojan, 91, La Indiana
This roadside inn by the bridge over the River Guadalcobacín has a large terrace, plus an indoor dining room and offers traditional Andalucían breakfasts at a good price. Great coffee and freshly pressed orange juice. There is also a children’s playground.
Cafetería La Rondeña
C. Francisco de Goya y Lucientes 1, San Rafael, Ronda
Very popular, this bar, owned by the wife of a civil guard, who often lends a hand when he’s not on duty, has a fast turnover with a wide variety of traditional breakfasts at an affordable price. Also, other local products are on sale at the counter.
That’s my dozen choices of breakfast bars in the Ronda area. Sharp-eyed and numerate readers will realise that I have listed 13 establishments. Well, it’s a baker’s dozen, isn’t it?
Paul Whitelock is a retired former languages teacher, school inspector and translator, who emigrated to the Serranía de Ronda in 2008, where he lives with his second wife, Rita. He spends his time between Montejaque and Ronda eating breakfast, doing DIY, gardening, writing and managing his portfolio of holiday rentals.
Check out https://www.a1-holidays.net/ for great rental properties in the Serrania de Ronda, Andalucia
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!