Agricultural technical engineer by profession, Sergio Nieto He was not very happy in his job. After thinking carefully about it, he decided to abandon it and go to the town where his mother was born, to Grazalema, a beautiful town in the Cadiz mountains. There he returned to dedicate himself to what he really likes, making his hobby, Sherry wines, his profession. To do this, he returned to the place where his great-grandfather, Pedro Organvidez, had opened as a cafeteria in 1920, and since 1956 it was run by his grandparents, Isabel and Martín under the name of Bar de Martín. Sergio opened it in 2018 with the name Martin House 1920. In the Plaza de España, the former engineer found happiness.
Bar, tavern, grocery store, tabanco… Casa Martín lends itself to almost any denomination, but what is clear is that it is a place where it is advisable to go without rushing, enjoying the atmosphere. He Flemish, always present, livens up the stay in a business that has some tables outside, and a room decorated with posters and other elements that tell the story that has happened there. In addition, many bottles of wine and the refrigerator full of cheeses and other products that customers can buy.
Because in Martin House 1920 there is no kitchen. The style is that of an old tavern, but with personalized tableware, made by his wife, Maria Hidalgo, and her mother, Montserrat. Sherry wines are the protagonists, with wineries such as Fernando de Castilla, Cayetano del Pino, El Maestro Sierra or González Byass. To eat, products from the Sierra de Cádiz and the rest of the province.
GAZPACHO our favorite RECIPE so that it always turns out delicious
What can we eat at Casa Martín 1920
They highlight the La Pastora cheeses, made with milk from the famous Payoya goat, as well as Iberian products from Grazalema and other cold products. From the sea, preserves from Herpac (Barbate) and tuna from Small Flask. Or is it that in the Sierra you can't eat good tuna? Sergio serves it in sashimi and tartare, served on one of those striking artisan plates.
With the small Grazalema muffins, prepare the martinitos, filled with mechá meat or semi-cured cheese and extra virgin olive oil, smoked tuna from Barbate, Grazalema blood sausage or sardines. And despite not having a kitchen, there are hot toasts, such as Jabugo pork rinds, melted artisan cheese and oregano, and hot clay pots, with organic ratatouille, free-range egg and Payoya goat cheese.
But, beyond the food and drink, the common thread of everything that happens there, Casa Martín is well worth the visit for the attention of the host. Sergio is one of those old tavern keepers who know how to advise, listen, chat, and remain silent when necessary. Older people from Grazalema pass by his bar and tell him stories about the times when his grandparents ran the place, and that is something that he is passionate about. A treasure that he stores to spread among his clientele.
Grazalema always worth a visit. And between a walk through the Sierra and any other activity in nature, you have to find a space to regain strength. There are quality places to do it, and Casa Martín 1920 is one of them, collecting within its walls the charm of the old dressed in modernity.
Martin House 1920
- Where: Plaza de España, 18. Grazalema (Cádiz)
- Schedule: Closed on Monday and Sunday afternoon.
- Half price: €20.
- Bookings: 645 38 20 55
Images | Martin House
In DAP | Where to eat in Cádiz