THE Olive Press has spent five years scouring Andalucia for all its best eateries, coming up with a great list for you to discover.

Over a hundred venues are listed on this easy-to-use site, where we also encourage reader contributions.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, the Romeos out there will be looking for atmospheric restaurants to take their special ones for that candle-lit dinner for two.

So, continuing with our ‘top fives’, this week we focus on romantic places to take your loved ones on February 14.

Book early to avoid disappointing your sweetheart.

Visit www.diningsecretsofandalucia.com

What did you think? Send your view to jon@theolivepress.es

Top 5 for romance

La Villa (Almeria)
This is a great location for all you romantics out there. Tucked away in one of Andalucia’s most unspoilt corners, Agua Amarga is an excellent place to hide out for some proper quiet time. In the heart of the breathtakingly beautiful Cabo de Gata natural park, it is surrounded by desert scenery and some stunning unspoilt beaches.

La Casita (Malaga)
The elegant and upmarket La Casita sits in a tranquil setting in the hills above San Pedro and Marbella. Candle-lit and beautifully decorated, it offers delicious traditional cooking with a modern twist. White-linen tablecloths and highly knowledgeable waiters make this a great option for a Valentine’s Day treat.

Fountainhead (Malaga)
If you are seeking somewhere with both fine food and fantastic lodging for a romantic weekend, this is it. After a five minute ascent on a dirt track, you are led on a series of seductively lit paths, through Zen gardens and circular holes in walls, to the bosom of the operation; an eaterie of style and quality.

Schilo (Malaga)
If you want to impress a loved one, Schilo veritably oozes class and style with an outstanding menu and excellent wine list. Set in the beautiful five-star hotel of Finca Cortesin in Casares, it is arguably one of the finest restaurants in Andalucia and certainly one of the most exciting due to its adventurous menu.

Meson Arrieros (Huelva)
In terms of real hidden gems, this comes right at the top. Few places have such a smack-in-the-mouth, romantic impact right from the word go, and the fact that you have to hunt high and low for it in one of the last cobbled street villages in Andalucia certainly adds to the experience. It is a real treat.