I have always been a fan and supporter of local food business and always avoid chains, especially if the basis is the fattening eating concept imported from the USA. And equally especially if they have touch screens for ordering.
How I don’t choose restaurants
- McDonalds: This summer it took me 15 minutes to work out how to order a dreadful coffee on those awful machines because it was the only opportunity by a local Madrid hospital. It’s probably 20 years since I last ordered food which was in USA. (I know that the European version is legally obliged to be healthier)
- Star*ucks: Forced into this restaurant in AlAIn UAE a few times 15 years ago because they had internet, parking and a lavatory (careful choice of words there). Refused to have meetings there in Dubai where finding a non-chain is difficult. Dreadful coffee at extortionate prices. A proper Spanish coffee, where they don’t have to disguise with flavourings is half the price in a local cafe
- BurgerKing: Riyadh 10 years ago as it was the only venue I could explain where it was to have informal meetings
- Popeye: I quite liked in UAE 15 years ago so I thought would try again – couldn’t understand he machines in Spain and also unbelievably expensive. So I don’t know how it is now
- KFC: In AlAin UAE I had to persuade an Indian friend that I preferred to eat in is local workers Indian café – and it was great. So that’s the last time I remember not going
Honest Meaning and Purposefully Green
So, at the Meaning and Purpose conference in Madrid in June, someone suggested having a group dinner at Honest Greens. I strongly complained, that with many of the guests not being local, that the best place to go to would be a local Spanish restaurant. I was told that Honest Greens was a Spanish company so it was OK. No doubt all the Star*ucks in Spain are also Spanish franchises. Anyway, I refused to attend . I also refused to meet someone there.
One of my Substack friends recently posted about his experience in Honest Greens in Valencia for which it is better to read the entire article here. And he is an Honest Estate Agent.
https://valenciaproperty.substack.com/p/tipping-in-spain
The article confirmed all my prejudices .
- Is it generational ?
- Is it because young tourists and visitors stick to these places because they are not prepared to take the risk of trying something unfamiliar?
- or because they don’t like talking to the staff ?
How I choose a restaurant
I choose a restaurant by
- walking down the street,
- checking of the restaurant only serves food of one nationality
- checking if the staff appear to be of the same nationality as the food
- seeing if a restaurant is full of people who may be of the nationality of which the cuisine claims to be
- looking at what they are eating
- not in tourist areas and with multi language menus
- not where you are paying premium prices for the décor or location
- asking the customers (if there is outside seating)
- if there is only one free table – which clearly has my name already on it (this does not work if you are trying to find a good restaurant in Spain before 9.30 pm)
Examples of recent success
And by example
- In a Leon backstreet the one empty table was outside. Fabulous local black pudding
- In Jerez, having operated as above, found a backsreet had deserts then lunch the next day. Discovered it was number two in trip advisor.
- My favourite restaurant is called El Llabor in a tiny village in the mountains near Alicante. Traditional Spanish food with a designer twist, perfectly cooked with village prices. Always packed.
Recently in Cadaques (the Catalunia residence of Dali and very toursity) I choose an Italian backstreet restaurant for later. After my expensive Vermouth on the seafront I went back to the restaurant at say 8.30. It was packed, no spaces for hours. The manager said “Would l like to book for tomorrow ?” I thought ” what a cheek” but said yes, and asked what time the restaurant opened – 7.30.
Next day I arrived at 8pm The restaurant was again packed and my table had been given away as I wasn’t there at 7.30. I explained that I had asked about opening time , looked sooooo dissapoined, so I was given the table with no name on it. The tiny table by the door with the managers book of reservations . Nevertheless the restaurant was fabulous, only people with resevations got in and many people were turned away. You had to admire their languages – Catalan Castilian French (as its near the border) English (or american) And at least a smattering or Dutch, And these folk speak among themselves in Italian. So they were forgiven for their multiple language menu and offering parmesan with a fish pasta. (which any self respecting Italian would never so – they it was because the clients requested!)
What do you think?
Free food and drink at a festival in a village near you (if you are Spain!) Building multinational community . All pics this summer
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Written by David Rigby © 2026 Smart Coaching & Training Ltd
