Traditional
Get the full Malaga experience and blend in with the locals at these cafés, bars and restaurants
Hamburguesería Mafalda
For a simple yet delicious meal in Pedregalejo, head to Mafalda, a modest hamburger restaurant located around halfway down the seafront. The restaurant is self-service, so you must go up to look at the menu before ordering at the till. They’ll give you a number which they’ll call out for you to collect. For a typical local option, try one […]
El Tintero
Restaurante El Tintero, located right on the seafront in the eastern district of El Palo, offers a Malaga dining experience like no other. With its distinctive auction-style service and specialisation in pescaíto frito (fried fish), this popular restaurant combines delicious food with a lively atmosphere, ensuring a memorable visit for all guests. The El Tintero ‘auction’ explained The restaurant’s auction-style […]
Cortijo de Pepe
Cortijo de Pepe is a traditional Spanish restaurant, popular even with locals despite its location on the southern edge of the very touristy Plaza de la Merced. With a rich history dating back to 1971, this establishment has been serving popular local cuisine for over five decades. The restaurant’s rustic décor, featuring wooden beams and traditional Andalusian tiles, creates an […]
Casa Lola
Casa Lola is a chain of traditional Spanish restaurants in Malaga that has experienced tremendous growth in recent years thanks to its blend of traditional Spanish cuisine with a modern twist. The menu at Casa Lola features a wide array of traditional Spanish dishes, expertly prepared with a contemporary flair. From classic tapas and regional specialities, to innovative interpretations of […]
Tapeo de Cervantes
El Tapeo de Cervantes, named after its proximity to the theatre of the same name, is a mainstay on the Malaga culinary scene. It’s the original of what is now a group of Argentinian-run restaurants, which includes El Mesón de Cervantes and El Descorche de Cervantes, both around the corner. Unlike those two dining rooms, at El Tapeo, as the […]
Hermanos Alba
Tucked away in the charming seaside district of El Palo, Hermanos Alba stands as one of Malaga’s most celebrated seafood restaurants. This family-run establishment has earned serious culinary credentials, featuring in the prestigious Repsol Guide and ranking 14th among informal restaurants in the Opinionated About Dining (OAD) guide. The restaurant gained extra celebrity appeal when Malaga-born singer Pablo Alborán dined […]
Mercado El Carmen fresh food market
The El Carmen fresh food market, located across the river from the city centre, close to María Zambrano train station, is known for its excellent quality fresh fish and seafood. However, there is also a wide selection of other foods available, whether fruits and vegetables, meat, artisan bread, spices and much more. For more than 140 years there has been […]
Restaurante Cofrade Entre Varales
Fancy a proper Spanish dining experience with a twist? Restaurante Cofrade Entre Varales offers a uniquely atmospheric dining experience in the heart of Malaga, combining authentic Andalusian gastronomy with the passionate traditions of Semana Santa. This distinctive ‘cofrade’ restaurant in Malaga transports diners into the spiritual world of Holy Week from the moment they step through the door. A traditional […]
Casa Mira
On a sweltering day in Malaga, and often well into the early hours of the morning, one name dominates the quest for sweet relief: Casa Mira. The parlour on Calle Larios heaves with locals and tourists alike, all seeking the perfect scoop to combat the Andalusian heat. What draws the crowds isn’t just the extensive range of artisan flavours, it’s […]
Taberna Los Gatos
Los Gatos sits in the lively Plaza Uncibay, and you might walk straight past it at first. The restaurant, which has recently undergone a renovation, often disappears behind crowds of diners either queuing to get inside or filling every stool at the outdoor tables. That said, the square’s vibrant atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for visitors wanting to experience […]
Pollos San Juan
The aroma of roast chicken fills the street surrounding the Atarazanas market, emanating from the unmistakable Pollos San Juan. Freshly cooked rotisserie chicken makes for a beautifully simple, traditional late lunch or dinner. It comes as no surprise therefore that their set chicken menus (quarter, half or a whole chicken served with chips and sauce) have been a staple of […]
Asador Iñaki
If you like your meat, and you like it cooked to perfection, this place is well worth the venture out of the centre for. The new Asador Iñaki is always packed to the rafters – and for good reason. The friendly and helpful waiters will help pick out the right cut for you, accompanied by thick-cut chips and sprinkled with […]
La Farola de Orellana
La Farola de Orellana is one of those traditional tapas bars in Malaga where time seems to stand still. This beloved establishment has been serving locals and visitors to Malaga city centre for decades, and recently it has expanded significantly by taking over the premises formerly occupied by KGB after it closed. The bar has been in business since 1938, […]
Er Pichi de Cái
This charming Cadiz-style restaurant chain has taken Malaga by storm, expanding from one humble taberna (traditional Spanish tavern) in Huelin to seven locations across the city in just three years. The original Er Pichi de Cái opened in the coastal Huelin neighbourhood, where locals first fell in love with its authentic Andalusian atmosphere and exceptional seafood dishes. Since then, the enthusiastic […]
El Balneario
El Balneario has to be Malaga’s most iconic bar and restaurant. Poking out from the seafront, at Baños del Carmen, just as Pedregalejo begins, punters get unparalleled views of the Bay of Malaga (and the occasional dolphin!) Enjoy the holiday, seaside vibes with a beer, copa or cocktail, day or night, or tuck into a nice lunch. The menu has […]
La Peregrina Centro
Located in the centre of Malaga, just off Plaza de la Merced, La Peregrina is a great spot for a quick lunch or a light snack. With a conch on its logo, it’s clear that this simple eatery, with a few small tables with bar stools, specialises in fish and seafood. If you want something small, there is a selection […]
El Diamante
This unassuming back-street bar does a basic breakfast – and does it well. They’ve been doing it for a long time, too. Since 1949, in fact. In truth not much has changed since then. All the interior furniture and even the majority of the glasses, plates and other items are still originals from that time. This is what’s earned El […]
La Tranca
No trip to Malaga would be complete without a stop-off at La Tranca. That’s if you can get in… As you approach it on Calle Carretería, it will quickly become apparent which bar it is – the one that’s packed full, with a waiting queue outside. Wait your turn and you’ll be given a stool to perch on next to […]
Mesón Mariano
Tucked away on Calle Granados in central Malaga, Mesón Mariano has been serving authentic Andalusian cuisine since 1988 and shows no signs of slowing down. This family-run restaurant is one of those increasingly rare places that hasn’t been swept away by chains or fleeting food trends, and it’s earned recognition from the Academia de Gastronomía de Málaga for keeping things […]
Cafetería Framil
Cafetería Framil stands as one of the few remaining traditional cafés in Malaga’s historic centre, serving locals and visitors since 1987. Located on Calle Cisneros, this family-run establishment was founded by Miguel Criado and his wife Eulalia Claros, who named it after their three children: Francisco, Miguel and Lourdes. The cafe has built a devoted following over nearly four decades, […]
Casa Aranda
Casa Aranda is one of Malaga’s ‘churrerías’ par excellence. (Frespañol anyone?!) Established almost 100 years ago, this historic café has two branches in the historic centre, both relatively close to each other. Its exceptional quality and location, teamed with local prices, means that all these years later, Casa Aranda is still very much a favourite with local people. If you’re a […]
Taberna Cofrade Las Merchanas
You won’t find a more authentically Malaga restaurant than Las Merchanas, this beloved city centre taberna cofrade. Inside, the walls showcase an impressive collection of Semana Santa photographs, statues, posters and sculptures. This Holy Week memorabilia surrounds diners at every turn, creating an unmistakably Spanish atmosphere that celebrates Andalusian religious traditions. The restaurant stays packed with locals throughout the evening. […]
El Pimpi
No trip to Malaga is complete without a visit to El Pimpi. This legendary restaurant-bodega features in virtually every guidebook and ‘top 10’ list you can imagine – and for good reason. It’s a Malaga institution with an unparalleled location and a superb outside terrace offering stunning views of the Roman Theatre and Alcazaba. Despite becoming something of a tourist […]
Verum Restaurante, El Asador de Málaga
Meat devotees will find their spiritual home at Verum, affectionately dubbed ‘The Temple of Meat’ by locals who know a proper steak when they see one. Located in Cerrado de Calderón, just a 10-minute drive from Malaga city centre, this elegant restaurant sits atop a hill overlooking the Mediterranean coastline, where fresh sea breezes mingle with the aroma of oak-fired […]
La Recova
La Recova is pretty hard to define. Even when you’re stood right outside, looking at it. The sign says it’s a café… and yet there are pots, pans, crockery and other peculiar items (a bicycle, a record player and bird cages!) for sale in and around the doorway. The truth is, it’s an eclectic mix between a café and a […]
Arrozeando
Finding the best paella in Malaga used to be a proper puzzle, but Arrozeando has settled that debate once and for all. This rice specialist in the charming Pedregalejo district transforms Spain’s most iconic dish into something rather extraordinary. While paella originated in Valencia, it has become as quintessentially Spanish as flamenco dancing, and every family guards its own secret […]
Antigua Casa de Guardia
Whether you are a wine enthusiast or simply curious about Malaga’s winemaking heritage, a visit to Antigua Casa de Guardia is a must. It offers a glimpse into the past and an opportunity to savour some of the finest wines that Andalucía has to offer. Located on a tiny side street between the Alameda and the central market, it’s one […]
Mesón Ibérico
If you’re hunting for proper tapas in Malaga that’ll make your taste buds do a little flamenco, Mesón Ibérico should be top of your list. This charming spot has been dishing out authentic Andalusian flavours for over twenty years, which means they’ve had plenty of time to perfect their craft. Located in the trendy Soho district, it’s a proper mesón […]