Sunday lunch has always been a special time for Spanish people when they take time to get together as a family and enjoy some well earned time off.
Last Sunday, we took a trip north from us to Puerto Lumbreras to visit the outstanding Meson Villarejo restaurant. It’s an easy 35 km drive from us so it’s slightly further away but well worth the trip.
Dining room
Meson Villarejo is a couple of kms off the autovia nestled in on the left well before you reach the town centre. It’s a family affair and you’re made to feel very welcome the minute you step inside. There’s a lovely terrace outside where you can eat but we chose the air conditioning as it was a very hot day.
Outside dining area
You can choose between an al a carte menu or go as we all did for the menu del dia (3 courses) for 18 euros. Tremendous value!
Sunday menu del dia
I started with cod parcels, jamon croquette, date in bacon and deep fried langoustine – really an appetizer before a second dish of aubergine stuffed with seafood and topped with cheese which was mouth-watering and one of the best vegetarian dishes I’ve ever tasted. I’ve added pictures of my fellow diners dishes – a plate of salmon carpacchio with tomato, and a very creative version of fried eggs, ham and chips so you can get an idea of the variety of what is on offer.
Cod, jamon, date and langoustine
Eggs, ham and chips
Salmon carpacchio with tomato
Aubergine stuffed with seafood with a cheese topping
We all ordered the same main course – as it sounded so good – the beef fillet with foie and apple which was perfectly presented as well as delicious.
Beef fillet with foie
The atmosphere is good because the place is full and it’s full because it’s good. The staff are lovely, the chef often comes and talks to you and there is a real unhurried relaxing air to the place.
Los tres amigos
The Meson Villarejo is a lunchtime only restaurant open from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm daily. They don’t have a website but their Facebook page is here.
Dining room and chef painting
Meson Villarejo Restaurant Telephone number: 968 402 563
Yummy Almeria 
Hi Gail – the food in this restaurant looks really good. I look forward to trying it in the near future.
Love Nevenka
Hi, I enjoy reading your blogs but 18 euros for menu del dia not including a drink, That is way above the average. You must have more money than me! lol. Try the Hotel Calypso in San Juan de los Terreros if you get chance, or for something more earthy, the place with the awning on the junction of the Pulpi/Estacion road. The latter gets very busy so get there at 2pm to make sure you can get a table.
Hi Ian
We never said it was cheap – just good value! We also like the Calypso but haven’t got around to review it yet – certainly a candidate for Yummy Almeria. Do you know the name of the Pulpi/Estacion place. We’d like to check it out at some point.
Thanks again
Yummy Almeria
Here is the ‘Earthy’ proper good value restaurant on google map. As I say, down amrket but at 12 euros, you cant go wrong.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-1.732565!3d37.460568!2m2!1f293.09!2f90.2!4f75!2m4!1e1!2m2!1sbYzexoe2bR2ibRil2ddnkg!2e0&fid=5
Excellent food and wine……compared to most UK restaurants this is what I call value for money.
Marcus