The Cave Bar - Home of Great Roasts and Birthplace of a Legend
Hearty, Home Cooked Tradition – The English Way
At Nerja Amigos, being a mix of global expats, each country we’ve lived in has left us with little comforts and flavours we miss from time to time. From England, it’s definitely the traditional Sunday Roast — the way we remember it, full of warmth and the kind that truly makes Sundays feel special. And of course, all those classic British dishes we grew to love along the way. The best part is that here in Nerja, this cosy spot serves all of this with heart.
A Sunday Roast to Come Back For
The Cave Bar serve all our favourites in the most wonderful way!
For the Christmas season, the roast turkey with pigs in blankets and stuffing is the star of the show - a proper festive classic that instantly brings that Christmas feeling to the table. Pigs in blankets, for anyone unfamiliar, are small sausages wrapped in bacon, a much-loved British favourite that adds a savoury, smoky bite to the meal.
There are also several alternatives on the menu, including roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, crispy pork belly, gammon with parsley sauce, slow-cooked beef ragu, a vegetarian pea and feta pasty, and leg of milk-fed lamb. We chose roast beef on this occasion and honestly, Yorkshire pudding is just a MUST. For those not familiar with Yorkshire puddings: it’s not a sweet pudding but a savoury, soft, airy pancake-like side that tastes incredible with their homemade gravy.
And we have to say - the roast beef was cooked to absolute perfection, meltingly tender, and served in an atmosphere filled with laughter and the natural friendliness of the staff. Everyone was incredibly attentive, creating such a warm and relaxed feeling throughout the meal. With several starters and desserts to choose from as well, we tried the sticky toffee pudding and apple and cinnamon crumble, wow, and don’t miss their drinks menu; good wines, cold pints, and who can resist an Irish coffee!
This menu becomes one of those deeply comforting meals you look forward to all week. And it’s not just about Sundays, throughout the week they serve hearty favourites like pies, burgers, curries, fresh salads and comforting pub-style classics. Friday fish and chips is golden, crispy and exactly how it should be. By the time you finish, you realise you’re leaving with a big smile and a warm heart. Hearty food, hearty people - that’s what this place is all about.
Where The Story Begins
The Cave Bar was opened in 1974, so this year is their 51st year. What began as a simple idea soon became something much more meaningful. During the construction of the first pool in the late 60s, Ken Brabant, the visionary behind the creation of Capistrano Village, noticed the unusual space beneath the structure and showed it to a young South African named Phil Donneson. Phil immediately saw the charm and possibility in it, commenting that the space would make a good bar and that small spark of inspiration is what gave birth to what we know today.
With its quirky stonework and unmistakable cave feel, the bar quickly became a cosy meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Phil went on to set it up and run the place, which was officially inaugurated in June 1974, unknowingly launching what would become one of Nerja’s most loved and enduring gathering spots.
A Legendary Game Story
In 1979, two of Phil’s young customers, Canadians Chris Haney and Scott Abbott, spent time in Nerja after giving up their jobs in Canada and moving to one of their parents’ holiday villas in Capistrano. They spent a summer in the bar working on a new board game and were convinced they could make a fortune if they had enough money. Rumour has it that their bar tab was growing quicker than the 6,000 questions they put together. They started asking everyone they met to invest in their new game. Most people declined - except Phil, who wrote off their bar bill, investing 1,000 Canadian dollars into the idea. It turned out to be a very good investment, as the game went on to become Trivial Pursuit, a fun twist of fate that forever links this little cave bar in Nerja to one of the world’s most iconic games.
The Faces Behind The Cave Bar
Over the years, Phil built not just a business but a loyal and committed team who helped shape the atmosphere that so many people return for. Paco, Antonio and Linda became the familiar, friendly faces of the bar, each adding their own warmth and personality to the place. Linda and Paco retired last year, but Antonio is still the smiling face behind the counter, greeting customers just as he has for so many years. Phil ran the bar until Nigel Llystyn Jones bought into the business as a partner in 2010, continuing the spirit of community and continuity that defines the place.
A New Chapter Filled with Warmth
When Aaron Elias invested in the business in July 2023 and took over the day-to-day management, he stepped into a place with half a century of stories, memories and friendships. With genuine warmth and a real love for good food and good company, Aaron has continued the long-standing tradition while adding his own heartfelt touches, keeping the bar cosy, welcoming and community-centred, the kind of place where regulars feel at home and newcomers feel instantly included. In early 2025, Sam Carey joined as head chef, bringing fresh imagination and flavour to the kitchen with dishes made from freshly prepared, locally sourced produce.
Together, Aaron and Sam are guiding the bar into its next chapter while keeping its heart exactly where it has always been.
This isn’t just a bar in a cave - it’s a place full of stories, hearty food, warmth and character, and one of those rare spots you find yourself returning to again and again. We certainly will.
