Traditional
Get the full Malaga experience and blend in with the locals at these cafés, bars and restaurants
El Pimpi
No trip to Malaga is complete without a visit to El Pimpi. The restaurant-bodega features in all of the guidebooks and ‘top 10s’ you can imagine, mostly because it’s a Malaga institution with an unparalleled location (and superb outside terrace with views of the Alcazaba), but also because standards remain high despite it becoming something of a tourist hotspot these days. Its grandiose appearance, with decades-old bullfighting posters, internal patios, exposed wooden beams and stone archways, might make it appear […]
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 beginner, a churro is a curved, fried stick of dough. In Malaga, they are typically of the ‘porra‘ type (quite […]
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 name suggests, it’s all about sharing tapas in this much smaller, more informal bar. Enjoy traditional Spanish food with an […]
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 homeware store with products all sourced from in and around Malaga province. Even though it’s tucked away in a small […]
Los Gatos
Located in the popular Plaza Uncibay, you might not spot it at first through the crowds of people either trying to squeeze in or filling the stools outside. One of the most popular restaurants in the city and for good reason: simple Spanish food done well, whether meat or fish. Given that it’s always so busy, make sure you’re not just popping in for a quick bite – you’re in it for the long haul here, especially as most dishes […]
Mercado de Salamanca
It’s been a long time coming but the Mercado de Salamanca is back – and is looking great. This 1920s food market in the El Molinillo neighbourhood, just north of the Historic Centre, has undergone a complete renovation, maintaining its unique neo-Arab architecture. This is, unlike Atarazanas market, very much where locals go. While it is small, there is a lot of excellent local produce, especially fresh fish. If you’re peckish, be sure to stop at any of the excellent tapas […]
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 a barrel in the small bar area, adorned with album covers from some of the most famous Spanish singers of […]
El Mesón de Cervantes
El Mesón de Cervantes is the younger sibling of the original El Tapeo de Cervantes. This group of establishments, run by an Argentinian family, has been serving the city for a number of years now. It continues to go from strength to strength, recently opening a third restaurant in the centre, El Descorche de Cervantes, which acts as an overspill for El Mesón just across the road. Rather than a tapas menu, like at El Tapeo, here you can enjoy […]
Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro
Surrounded by pine trees atop the Gibralfaro mountain (beside the fortress of the same name), is the Parador de Málaga. Paradores de Turismo de España is a chain of state-run Spanish luxury hotels, founded by Alfonso XIII as a means to promote tourism in Spain, with the first hotel opening in 1928 in Gredos (Ávila). Elsewhere in the Spanish-speaking world, a ‘parador’ is a word to describe a hotel, usually located in a converted historic building with a panoramic view […]
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 a wide variety of grilled fish, rice dishes (including paella) and, of course, the famous sardine skewers, grilled on an […]
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 Diamante the name “the museum of hospitality” in Malaga. Get yourself a sandwich and a coffee for breakfast there and […]
Taberna Cofrade Las Merchanas
You can’t get much more Malaga than this! With wall-to-wall Semana Santa photos, statues, posters and sculptures, there is certainly no escaping the fact that you’re in Spain. Always packed full with locals, you will struggle to find a seat unless you go at ‘guiri’ time (before 8pm). A great place to share ‘raciones’ with friends as servings are generous and there is plenty of atmosphere. Prices are reasonable too: luckily the waiters will stop you before your table is full […]
Mercado Atarazanas central food market
Whether you’re a tourist or you’re looking for an alternative to a supermarket for your weekly groceries, the perfect place to discover Andalusian gastronomy is at the Atarazanas central market. Open every morning (except Sunday), this food market boasts over a hundred stalls, primarily owned by local families passed on from generation to generation. They sell a vast array of products, from fresh fish and meat to exotic fruit and local charcuterie and cheese. Walking into the market can be […]
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 Malaga popular dining since its opening in 1963. Pollos San Juan also has a wide range of side dishes, such […]
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 of Spanish tapas, such as croquetas, ensalada rusa or tortilla – all starting from around two euros. If you’re a […]
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 sea salt. If seafood is more to your liking, there is also a vast selection of freshly-caught shellfish on display […]
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 a market on this spot in the El Perchel neighbourhood. It was recently renovated in 2010 and now it has […]
Casa Mira
Casa Mira is big, and for a good reason! On a hot day, and often into the early hours of the morning, this place is packed full of people looking for a sweet cool-me-down. One reason is the vast range of tasty flavours, but the other is that Casa Mira is a Malaga institution, cooling people down in hot Andalusian summers since 1880. Grab your ticket, choose your flavour(s), get your ice cream or milkshake, and go and sit on […]
Heladería Cremades
For those craving something sweet after a walk by the sea in Pedregalejo, Heladería Cremades will have you covered. Boasting more than 25 different ice cream flavours to choose from across their two seafront establishments, as well as sundaes, iced juices and other desserts, Cremades has been in business since 1970, with the shop now on its third generation of ice cream vendors. The desserts are available to eat in or take-away, and there are plenty of benches available nearby […]