These are some of the must-visit top-tier restaurants in Marbella and Malaga that get packed out during the summer months.
The Costa del Sol stands out mainly for its more than 300 days of sunshine a year, its average temperature of 19 ºC and its kilometres of beaches bathed by the Mediterranean Sea. This area in the south of Spain also stands out for its gastronomy, and so here’s is a list of the best restaurants on the coast that you should not miss during your visit to this paradise.
Take note of everything as we reveal which are the finest restaurants in Marbella, for all tastes and all budgets, where you can enjoy the delicacies of the area, the most special decorations and the most fun atmosphere. Hurry up to make a reservation so you don’t miss out on a table!
Breathe
If one of your top priorities is to be in a natural setting but you love to dine in trendy places, then you absolutely must visit this multi-space on the Costa del Sol. Much more than a restaurant or a bar in Marbella, its multi-purpose gastronomic concept means that you can find everything your body desires, lunch, dinner, evening meals, drinks, cocktails…
The most exclusive of Marbella’s society meets here on its terrace to enjoy its ‘farm to table’ philosophy. We highly recommend that when you go to Breathe that you try the mussels with saffron and fennel sauce.
Breathe, Marbella
Lobito de Mar
Ever since Dani García opened this urban chiringuito, speficially, a chiringuito without a beach, all eyes in Marbella have been on him. In this rogue-style tavern, the chef serves a traditional menu where the product is the main selling point and where the rice chef is at the heart of the team.
If you are still one of the few who don’t know Lobito de Mar, you have to try his rice with chicken coquelet and acorn-fed Iberian pork. One of the ‘low cost’ restaurants of a Michelin-starred chef that we like the most.
Dani García in Lobito de Mar, Marbella
Lobito de Mar, Marbella
El Parador Playa
Perched literally on the beach, this long-established chiringuito in Malaga is a family-run business with the third generation currently calling the shots. With Francisco Muñoz in the kitchen, he only searches for the hightest quality products and the recovery of traditional recipes, although the paper tablecloths and fast service remain.
We at Spain Life recommend trying the ortiguilla with lamb juice, the oyster with Dehesa de los Monteros Iberian ham juice and the sopa colorá with sardines, a Benalmádena speciality and the chef’s homage to his grandmother. Espetos de sardinas, with small but very juicy sardines, full of fat and perfectly grilled.
El Parador Playa, Malaga
Mamzel at Finca Besaya
This is the latest venture of the Casanis Group, a spectacular restaurant inspired by cities such as New York, Paris or Tulum, located on a hill with stunning views of the interior of the Marbella landscape.
Watching the sunset from Mamze is a truly unique experience, in addition to putting on musical performances and many other live shows of the highest quality that surprise you at every moment creating a magical atmosphere and making the evening unforgettable.
Their gastronomic proposal is cosmopolitan, with great produce, refined and for all tastes, very tasty and surprising. Its dishes will take you around the world without knowing which country and which delicacy to choose.
Mamzel at Finca Besaya, Marbella
Palmira Florida Beach
Between cuisine at Palmira, the elegant seaside restaurant run by Iván Cerdeño at the Florida Beach silver club, is increasingly refined and much more than just a balcony overlooking the beach in Mijas. From the ham croquettes, winners at Madrid Fusión 2020, to a really good ajoblanco with tuna and watermelon, the whole menu is extremely appetising.
The ensaladilla, garnished with a fried egg, and the rice “del senyore” and fideuá de pulpo (octopus fideuá) are cooked to absolute perfection.
Palmira Florida Beach, Malaga
Kava
Since he arrived in Marbella a few years ago, chef and owner Fernando Alcalá has been echoing around the city and the whole country. He was named Chef Revelación 2019 at Madrid Fusión and his cheesecake was also voted the best in Spain in 2019. Although he dominates with his savoury dishes, we also equally adore his sweet treats.
The chef works with 10 dishes each season made up of three ingredients each. Depending on the time of year, he changes these ingredients and every day he changes the recipe of that dish to his liking.
Kava, Marbella
Fernando Alcalá, at Kava in Marbella