GLOBAL GOURMET

IT feels like a hole in the wall, but you walk into a more charming space, lit up with Japanese lanterns and a simple pine wood counter.

This is Takeko, one of nearly a dozen restaurants scattered along the Estepona coast.

An original menu with plenty of sushi and hot ramen dishes, it sums up the international nature of the resort that three decades ago was only really good for fried fish.

Stroll up every backstreet in Estepona these days and you’ll find a new place to eat.

They emerge around every corner and on every sleepy flower-laden square.

Both at lunchtime and at night the place is heaving with tourists looking for a decent meal, so you really have to pity the poor lemmings staying at the all-inclu- sive joints, like Ikos, on the outskirts. But the new influx of restaurateurs needn’t worry with a trio of new boutique hotels opening in the centre, not to mention a string of other places to stay.

Whether you’re after Thai, Mexican or Chinese you are spoilt for choice and there are plenty of good tapas joints and wine bars to

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BAR OPEN: from 12:00

KITCHEN OPEN: 12:00-16:00 & 18.30-21:00 Closed Wednesday

Avda Luis Braille, Puerto Paraiso, Blq 6, Local 14, Estepona, 29680