Tapas and sharing plates in Ronda

Tapa, ración or sharing plate?

It helps to know what to expect. A tapa is a small, usually individual portion, often eaten standing at the bar. A ración is a full plate meant for several people, and that is the backbone of the menu at La Pilastra: prices are per plate and the starters are designed for the middle of the table.

Some dishes state how many pieces they come with, which makes ordering easier: the homemade croquette selection has eight, the anchovy with smoked butter four and the artichoke flowers with pork jowl two. Everything, with prices and allergens, is on the full menu.

What to order to share

For a varied table, mix something cold, something hot and something from the Serranía:

• Homemade croquettes: stew, porcini, prawn and spinach.
• Huevos rotos over fries with Iberian ham and black truffle oil.
• Garlic prawns with smoked kimchi sauce over fried eggs.
• 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham and the Serranía cheese board.
• Artichoke flowers with pork jowl and first-press olive oil.

House suggestions

Alongside the main menu there are suggestions that change with availability. Recent ones include Ronda chorizo in sweet wine, Ronda-style tripe, Russian salad with prawns and oxtail croquettes. Ask which ones are on that day.

A simple way to order is to start with two or three plates for the middle and add more as you go, rather than ordering everything at once. For larger parties, groups and celebrations explains how to plan the table. To place these dishes in the local cooking, read what to eat in Ronda.