This is easily the best restaurant in Nerja. It's a short stagger from Burriana beach for lunch, or a clatter down the hill in the evening. The tapas are spectacularly good, all fresly prepared, using the best ingredients. It is run by a charming husband and wife team, Jose and Sandra, one Spanish, the other German and the food, while traditionally Spanish, does have a little bit of German influence. New to the menu this year (I've just returned from my annual short break to Nerja) is morcilla - black pudding done in onions: just divine. Fabulous carne con tomate too, and the best gambas al pil pil I've ever tasted. The meals are excellent too, it's not just tapas. It's a great break from the beach during the day, but also wonderful in the evening. Jose is the best front of house man you could come across - charming and attentive and funny and as generous with his time and knowledge of all things Nerja as his measures of wine. You cannot fail to have a good time at Colonia. Any lunch or dinner there, begun with the best of intentions, will inevitably end many hours later, drunk and happy and embracing the new friends you've just made from the table next to you.

If this restaurant was in London, it would be raved about by critics and feted for its excellent value, authenticity and atmosphere. It is as vital to my enjoyment of Nerja as the sunshine.