Thinking of a getaway to Marbella for a winter break? These are the restaurants you can’t miss upon your visit.
Erre & Urrechu
For those of you that don’t know, there are two sides to Marbella. There is the Marbella of the Marbellí, which represents the resident, the welcomed one, the ones who came to the area in search of the microclimate that makes it pleasantly warm all year round, and who arrived with the avalanche of tourism.
And then there is the Marbella beyond Puerto Banús, comprising multilingual menus on the beach or the fluorescent Lamborghini, the platinum blonde and the glitter, the charming whitewashed villages, walls full of flowerpots, lively squares and traditional bars.
Marbella is a town with spectacular surroundings, with a carefully curated gastronomic scene on the rise, and locals that have a taste for the high life.
In this list of the most upscale restaurants, we wish to present to you a taste of the two Marbella’s. The cooler one, the holiday one, the one with the beach clubs and chiringuitos that we like the most, and also the year-round one, the one with the elegant, top-class restaurants that don’t necessarily have to be on or near the Mediterranean, but which are worth a visit any month of the year, not just in summer.
Here are Spain Life’s must-try dining experiences in Marbella:
Erre & Urrechu Winery & Grill
A steakhouse-wine bar that boasts charm and elegance, the Gran Meliá Don Pepe, a modern ‘steakhouse’, between the dark and golden Gatsby style and aligned with the trends and styles of any good ‘cool’ restaurant in any big capital city. Here you come to enjoy grilled meats over charcoal and fire. In addition, they also serve vegan options.
Meats such as Simmental, wagyu from Santa Rosalía, Friesian and vegetables from their own garden fill the menu. The former are roasted over holm oak wood, the latter over orange tree wood. All of the dishes are acclaimed hits, especially overlooking the views on the terrace. Also, make sure to ask for the wine pairings available.
Mamzel
Located on Marbella’s iconic Golden Mile, one of the most exclusive places to dine in Marbella rises imposingly. Modernity, sophistication and exoticism coexist in Mamzel by Finca Besaya, the distinguished project of Grupo Casanis. Its creator, Zazou Belounis, was inspired by the peculiar harmony found in contrasting themes, and he wanted to create a restaurant where the sophistication of capitals such as Paris and New York fused with nature.
Its decor, by the inimitable Nezha Kanouni, is based on the utmost attention to detail and the expression of the furnishings. This creates an exotic and distinguished atmosphere divided into four spaces.
The kitchen is led by co-owner Fabián Cangas, and is based on the cultural diversity of its chefs. This is why the menu includes dishes from different international cuisines. From crab bao in tempura, to burrata and Moroccan pastella, discover why Mamzel is one of the best fusion restaurants in Marbella.
Not to mention, it has an absolutely stunning outdoor seating area!
The Grill at the Marbella Club
Next up is another steakhouse in one of Marbella’s most stellar hotels. Some of the best meat on the Costa del Sol is served here, in the most elegant, romantic and magical restaurant we have visited in the area, in one of the most emblematic hotels in the country, the Marbella Club. Sitting in El Grill is like sitting in the golden age when this place was founded by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe and the atmosphere is priceless.
You’ll feel like an aristocrat at the perfectly dressed tables, dining al fresco and by candlelight. Nebraska Black Angus, Charolais, Swiss Simmental and Japanese Wagyu make up the meat showcase. The king crab cannelloni and Grand Marnier soufflé are a must, before and after.
Nobu
At Nobu, gastronomy takes on a new dimension. Nobu is chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s first restaurant in Spain; undoubtedly one of the luxury restaurants in Marbella. This restaurant invites you to redesign your gastronomic evenings in the heart of the Golden Mile.
Considered a temple for foodies, Nobu combines traditional Japanese cuisine with Peruvian flavours under the command of Eleni Manousou, the firm’s first executive chef. Nobu, with its exquisite décor of fine lines and contrasts, has established itself as one of the trendiest restaurants in Marbella.
Tread with caution, because it has a menu that will seduce you. We recommend you try their bull tartar with caviar, black cod with miso or its famous Japanese Wagyu Sirloin are just some of its star dishes.
If you add to all this its signature cocktails, with its exquisite lounge area with its selection of DJ’s, you’ll want to keep coming back.
Monkey Club
Nestled in the heart of Marbella’s Puente Romano resort lies Monkey Club Marbella, a place to be amazed and one of the best luxury restaurants in Marbella. Its intimate and tropical setting offers a truly unique and authentic place where every desire is anticipated and every expectation is exceeded.
At Monkey Club, the highly-trained staff take the utmost care of the food as well as the service and ambience to ensure that the experience is unparalleled from start to finish.
Which is precisely how this tropical paradise surprises the most demanding guests. Be seated at the table and let yourself be seduced by a carefully selected menu and a perfect pairing of signature cocktails.
Must-try dishes we recommend are the crab tartar with coriander and salmon roe with avocado gazpacho, or cappellini pasta with prawns and caviar.
