When we lived in Hondon going back 5 1/2 years, we used to visit the Tipsy Terrace either for a drink or a meal and we always liked it there. The restaurant was clean and tidy, the staff were always on the ball, the food was good and the drinks were refreshing. Fast forward to 2024 and I’m pleased to say the standards have not dropped!
We were at the Tipsy Terrace the other Saturday morning for a dog show organised by Barkinside Dog Rescue, which was a popular event with plenty of people having food, which looked really nice. Soph and I decided there and then, on our next jaunt over the hill, back to Hondón de los Frailes that we’d go have lunch there, on our old stamping ground.
One great thing to mention is they cater to vegans and vegetarians, they have dedicated menus and suitable dishes, so plenty of choices are available and these are also on the menu del dia and menu del noche.
What We Had At The Tipsy Terrace
This time, there were 3 of us eating out, as we had Soph’s mum with us. We chose the menu del dia options, Soph and I both deciding to go for the 3 courses, while her mum was going to be content with just the 2 .
I had a pint of Guinness and the girls both had Coke Zero. I had a second pint of Guinness later on, and Soph had my soft drink, which came as part of the menu del dia.
Starters
I started with smoked salmon and onion on toast, which came with a delightful side salad and a tasty dressing. Soph chose her starter from the vegan/veggie menu and had Cauliflower Fritters, which came with a great dressing with a nice little kick to it.
Mains
Soph had the Spicy Bean Burger, which she said was nice and spicy and filling, this came with sweet potato fries. Her mum ordered the Cordon Bleu Chicken Schnitzel which she had with side salad and dauphinoise potatoes. This was a large portion and she found it very filling and nice as it was, she wasn;t able to finish it off.
I had originally thought about ordering the Cod Fillet and having this with Parsley Sauce, but I’d not noticed the Belgian Beef Stew option, until Soph mentioned it. That is what I went for, along with Chips and declined salad or veg. The meat was so tender, a generous portion and really enjoyable. I think had there also been a couple of pieces of fresh, crusty bread to mop up the juices, then this would have been perfect.
Desserts
If you have a sweet tooth, this is the hard choice to make in a meal. What was made even worse was when we asked what was the cheesecake of the day, to be told they had just 4 portions of a blueberry cheesecake left or they also had a chocolate and mint cheesecake. Soph’s mum quickly claimed one of the servings of the blueberry cheesecake. I was tempted by the chocolate and mint but knew deep down I’d be trying to compare to the beautiful chocolate cheesecake I’d had the week before in Benijofar, so I wimped out and instead, chose the Salted Caramel and Chocolate Profiteroles instead. Soph opted for the Sticky Toffee pudding.
As soon as the blueberry cheesecake was placed in front of Soph’s mum, I stole in with my spoon and nicked a tiny piece, and it was so good! My profiteroles were more like a sundae but I thoroughly enjoyed them. At some restaurants, you get 4 or 5 tiny, frozen supermarket profiteroles on a plate or in a dish with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and that is all, but this was a very generous portion. The sticky toffee pudding was fine but didn’t quite meet the standard of the other two choices.
What We Liked At Tipsy Terrace
Good food, attentive service, and a spotless restaurant and restrooms. Staff use electronic ordering, which is great as it helps with service timings. They’re active on Facebook and have their menus available online as well as at the bar, so if you pop in for a drink, you can peruse the menu then, too.
There’s a large terrace, including a covered, shaded dining area, and also a really nice indoor dining area and bar, so there are plenty of places to sit.
What Could Be Improved?
I’d struggle to find fault here, the same as previously when we lived in the area. It’s a smoothly run operation, staff work well as a team. If I must make a suggestion, then it would be to add a couple of pieces of fresh, chunky bread on the plate for the Belgian Beef Stew.
How Much Did It Cost At The Tipsy Terrace Hondón De Los Frailes
Now, let’s get one thing clear here: This is not and never has been a €7 menu del dia. Granted, it’s possibly not for everyone if they base everything purely on price, but this is quality—quality in terms of venue, service, and food.
Our overall bill came to 69,85 €, which was for two 3-course menu del dias, a 2-course menu del dia, and a couple of pints of very good Guinness.
Would We Return To Tipsy Terrace At Hondón de los Frailes?
Of course, if we were in the area. It’s a 30-minute drive for us from home, and that’s without getting stuck behind cyclists, trucks, or tractors up and over the mountain road. But if we were visiting the area or passing through, then yes, we’d be back, for sure.
How To Find Tipsy Terrace Hondón de los Frailes
Coming over the hill from Albatera on the CV-873, you enter the village and eventually come to the stop sign at the T-junction. Take the right turn here onto the CV-845 and you want to be looking for the second right ( Av. Novelda), just along the main road, so it’s next to the garden centre.
Their address is – Calle Padre Claret, 18, Hondón de los Frailes, Spain
They have messenger on their Facebook page and they also have the phone number listed: 655 18 65 90.
Just across the road is a children’s play park, which is ideal if you have young children with you.
