The gastronomy of Puerto Santa Maria is one of the main reasons that Spanish visitors enjoy the town so much. One may start in the old part of town, strolling along the riverside full of restaurants and bars, choosing the appropriate place to taste all kinds of shellfish and fish. Food is based on fish and shellfish from the Atlantic Ocean, which are accompanied by vegetables from the fields. Little shrimp omelettes, Rota-style red band bream and seafood soup are some of the recipes the traveler should not miss. Cuttlefish with potatoes, clams, marinated fish and mackerel with noodles complete the gourmet menu. El Puerto de Santa Maria serves up strictly Andalucian cuisine and seafood.

Be sure to visit El Romerijo (established in 1952) the most famous seafood restaurant in the area. It offers peel-and-eat shellfish and pescado frito as well as cockles, tiger prawns, and other specialties such as tangy fried shark marinated in vinegar.
Plaza de la Herrería, 1

After dinner enjoy a relaxing drink, in one of the numerous bars and pubs of varied ambiance, located both in the centre and in the area known as `La Pescadería.`