Finally, the Malaga Food and Drink guide is here, for all food lovers visiting Malaga! After some years running unique foodie activities in Malaga, we have gathered some of the best dishes, restaurants, wine bars and taverns in town.
Have a look at the selection of typical tapas, dishes and drinks you need to try when in Costa del Sol and keep reading until the end to discover the top foodie tours and activities you can’t miss during your stay.
1. Malaga Food Guide – What to eat in Malaga? Typical Food & Drinks
First things first. We wanted to start our Malaga Food Guide telling you about the best culinary specialities from Malaga and, later on, we’ll tell you how and where to taste them. So, here you go, the list of typical food and drinks you need to try for a wonderful gastro experience in the South of Spain!
Fried Fish and “Espetos”
The first recipe of our Malaga Food guide. You cannot leave Malaga without having enjoyed the terrace of a “chiringuito” bar on the beach in Pedregalejo or El Palo. In fact, the stars among the summer dishes are the “fritura malagueña” (a wide variety of fried local fish like red mullets, white anchovies, squid or school shark) and grilled sardines.
So, you will see that the preparation of an “espeto” is pure art: 5 or 6 sardines put on a skewer and roasted with coarse salt over an open olive wood fire. Indeed, that’s the essence of Malaga! Also, you can taste “boquerones fritos” on our daily Taste of Malaga Tapas Tour.
Malaga Style Salad
Another recipe of our guide for foodies. A traditional recipe from Malaga with an interesting twist, that’s very well known and loved by locals (and visitors). So, its preparation is simple and can be found in many restaurants and bars, served as a tapa or full dish.
Also, the ingredients are potatoes, cod, onion, Aloreña olives and orange. In fact, a delicacy from our Guadalhorce valley that adds a citric, sweet flavor to it! Also, all seasoned with the best extra virgin olive and salt. So, prepared for this flavor experience?
Meatballs in Almond Sauce
An amazing recipe of our guide for foodies. A classic, and an essential part of our regional cuisine which you can find in almost every tapas bar. In fact, historically, Malaga is one of the largest almonds producers of Spain. So, it is common to find them as a protagonist in many of our traditional dishes and desserts.
Also, have you tried ajoblanco for example? Indeed, learn how to prepare them and enjoy this regional specialty of Arabian origin in our cooking courses!
Porra Antequerana or Salmorejo
A fantastic recipe of our guide for foodies. Not just another cold tomato soup of the gazpacho family. In fact, the perfect dish for hot summer days, refreshing and creamy! So, it is usually served in a bowl and accompanied by a garnish of chopped Serrano ham and/or tuna and egg.
Indeed, some might say the best part that adds a wonderful touch to it. So, absolutely delicious and amazingly simple. In fact, made from fresh, ripe tomatoes, white bread, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Sherry vinegar and salt.
Eggplant with Sugar Cane Syrup
An incredible recipe of our guide for foodies. Malaga is known for the quality of its vegetables which reach their entire splendor in the Guadalhorce Valley. In fact, our fried eggplant is finger-licking good (literally), especially when you serve it with “miel de caña”.
So, a thick molasses made of our local sugar canes that still survive on the coast of Malaga and Granada. Also, it sounds easy, but reaching the right point where the fried eggplant is golden and crunchy needs training. Indeed, eating it, not that much!
Candied Artichokes
Going on with our Malaga tourist guide. So, the preparation of “alcachofas confitadas” is not that easy. In fact, it takes quite some time since the artichokes need to be slow-cooked in olive oil for more than an hour (over low heat) to get tender and perfect. So, you can find them in traditional taverns or “mesones” and some restaurants.
Also, they are usually accompanied with foie gras, Iberian ham or even bacon. So, please, if you get the chance, order them, they’re a delight! Or, also, try them any other way: a la plancha, rebozadas, montillanas or fritas.
Pil-Pil Prawns
Being one of the most typical Andalusian treats, this tapa is a “must” of our gastronomy. In fact, It is usually served in small earthenware pots, accompanied with bread for dipping in the sauce.
Also, just be careful, because the pot is very hot (it goes from the stove straight to your table), as are sometimes the prawns (now because of the chili). Furthermore, this is all you need: fresh prawns, cayenne pepper, garlic, paprika powder, salt and extra virgin olive oil. Absolutely delicious!
Malaga Food Guide: Best drinks to try in Costa del Sol
Muscat Wine / Homemade Vermouth
If Malaga tastes like something, it’s probably its sweetest delight: Muscat wine. So, you can almost taste the sun in its sweet berries and wonderful fruity notes in the wines. Indeed, not only is it great for dessert to complete an extensive meal.
But, also, as an aperitif to whet the appetite and awake your senses- especially with some cooked prawns or cured cheese. In fact, an explosion of flavor! Also, try our homemade vermouth, from Moclinejo for example, made from the same grape!
Dry Muscat White Wine
Gotta try it to believe it: it smells like a Muscat wine, fruity and sweet as we’re used to. However, the first sip is going to change your mind! So, our winemakers and oenologists from Malaga elaborated a dry white wine from the famous “Moscatel” grape.
In fact, it is a perfect wine to make those hot summer days a little more easy-going, accompanied by fresh fish or shellfish, and in good company. So, it is light, fresh and a wonderful makeover of our classic.
2. Malaga Food Guide – Where to eat in Malaga? Best restaurants
Another important part of our guide for foodies is where to eat well in Malaga. In fact, now we want to suggest which are the best restaurants in Malaga! But before showing you which are the best tapas bars or wineries in Malaga, have a look at these tips that will complete your holiday in Spain:
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Now, let’s go for tapas! Thanks to our guide for foodies, you will know where to spend a great evening of food and drink tasting:
El Pimpi:
The most popular winery in Malaga. A traditional Andalusian cuisine restaurant in the historic center of Malaga with awesome decoration. A must!
- 📍 Calle Granada, 62
- 📞 T. 951 248 478
- 🕓 Open: Everyday, from 1 pm to 1 am!
Taberna Uvedoble
An indispensable tavern from the 21st century with renewed Spanish cuisine.
- 📍 Calle Císter, 15.
- 📞 T. 952 22 54 03
- 🕓 Open: Mon-Sat 12.30-4 pm/8 pm-12 midnight.
La Cosmopolita
Wonderful restaurant with great, homemade dishes.
- 📍 Calle José Denis Belgrano, 3.
- 📞 T.952 21 58 27
- 🕓 Open: Daily 1 pm-12 midnight.
Meson Mariano
Open since 1970. The artichokes are “the queen of the house”.
- 📍 Calle Granados, 2.
- 📞 T. 952 21 18 99
- 🕓 Open: Tu-Sun 1 pm-12 midnight.
La Recova
Tradition, good taste and simplicity. Local gastronomy and handicrafts.
- 📍 Pje Ntra. Sra. de los Dolores de San Juan, 5.
- 📞 T. 952 21 67 94
- 🕓 Open: Daily 08:30 am-4 pm.
Café Restaurant El Mortal
Impeccable selection of Spanish cold cuts, cheeses and wines.
- 📍 Plaza Enrique Garcia Herrera, 18.
- 📞 T. 952 21 67 94
- 🕓 Open: Mon-Thu 9 am – 5 pm/8 pm-11:30 pm. Fri & Sat 10 am-11:30 pm.
Oleo Restaurant
Mediterranean cuisine and Sushi bar in the Modern Art Museum.
- 📍 Calle Alemania, 0.
- 📞 T.952 21 90 62
- 🕓 Open: Tu-Sat 1:30 pm-4pm/8:30 pm-12 midnight. Mon 8:30 pm-12 midnight.
La Deriva Restaurant
Traditional cuisine with modern twists.
- 📍 Alameda Colón, 7.
- 📞 T.951 28 69 21
- 🕓 Open: Mon-Fri 8 am-1 am. Sat 10 am-1 am. Sun 12 noon-1 am
Garcia Taberna
Small restaurant with lots of charm. Mediterranean fusion cuisine.
- 📍 Calle San Juan de Letrán, 17.
- 📞 T. 951 46 52 30
- 🕓 Open: Tu-Thu 8 pm-2 am. Fri & Sat 1:30 pm-2 am.
Cañadu, Vegetarian Restaurant
Discover the delights of our organic vegetable gardens from Malaga.
- 📍 Plaza de la Merced, 21.
- 📞 T.952 60 27 19
- 🕓 Open: Mon-Thu 1:30 pm-4 pm/7:30 pm-11:00 pm. Fri & Sat 1:30 pm-4:30pm/8 pm-12 midnight. Sun 1:30pm-4:30pm/7:30 pm-11:00 pm.
Andrés Maricuchi “Chiringuito”
Fresh fish in the very heart of Pedregalejo. Better impossible.
- 📍 Paseo Marítimo el Pedregal, 14.
- 📞 T. 952 20 06 12
- 🕓 Open: Daily 11am-12pm.
KGB
Tapas Bar from Kisko García, Cordovan chef, awarded with a Michelín Star for his restaurant El Choco in Córdoba.
- 📍 Calle Fresca, 12.
- 📞 T. 952 22 68 51
- 🕓 Open: Tue-Sat 1 pm-4:30 pm/8 pm-12 pm Mon 8 pm-11:30 pm.
Pez Tomillo Restaurant
Tapas bar at the Pedregalejo beach. Mediterranean cuisine with a personal, modern touch that will conquer your palate!
- 📍 Paseo del Pedregal, 1.
- 📞 T. 955 440 030
- 🕓 Open: Mon-Fri 1:30 pm-4:30 pm/8:30 pm-12:30 am. Sat & Sundays & Public Holidays 1 pm-4:30 pm/8:30 pm-12:30 am.
El Refectorium Catedral
Andalusian cuisine with great, seasonal produce.
- 📍 C/ Postigo De Los Abades, 4.
- 📞 T. 952 60 23 89
- 🕓 Open: Tue-Sat 1 pm-5 pm/8:30 pm-12 midnight. Sun 1 pm-5 pm.
La Farola de Orellana
A tiny local bar with more than 75 years of History. A classic in Malaga you can’t miss!
- 📍 Calle Moreno Monroy, 5.
- 📞 T. +34625 20 91 02
- 🕓 Open: Tue-Sat 1 pm-5 pm/8:30 pm-12 midnight. Sun 1 pm-5 pm.
3. Malaga Food Guide: Best things to do in Malaga for Foodies
In our Malaga food guide, you will not only find tips on what to eat and drink in Malaga but also how! Now, take a look at all the foodie things you can do in Malaga, from the best wine and tapas tours to cooking lessons or the chiringuitos to go like a real malagueño.
Join a Traditional Tapas and Wine tour
First activity in our list, of course, is to join a wine and tapas tour in Malaga to get to know the Andalusian gastronomy in depth. Nothing better than going with a local guide who will explain to you all the interesting facts and history behind every dish and glass of wine.
Sounds good? Have a look at our Malaga Traditional Wine and Food tour and enjoy a unique gastro experience in Malaga Old Town.
Visit the Best Malaga Food Markets
If you are into markets, our city is just right for you! Indeed, you can choose between 15 food markets, all belonging to different neighbourhoods. So, our main municipal market carries the exotic name of “Atarazanas” (boat arsenal) and not only is the building itself well worth a visit but as well the mouth-watering local, seasonal produce and the people selling them.
Also, others might be smaller, but no less interesting or beautiful, like the Salamanca market for example. If you want to take it to another level, visit our wonderful Local Organic Markets, with fresh products that come from all over the province of Malaga and reach the capital every other Saturday.
Eat in a Chiringuito – a Malaga Food Guide essential!
If you visit Malaga, we invite you to eat like a “Malagueño”. So, don’t hesitate, you’ve got to go to a “chiringuito”! In fact, these are restaurants on the beach, mostly family businesses that have existed for two or more generations and that are specialized in the elaboration of the typical fried fish from Malaga.
Sardine skewers and traditional seafood dishes like soupy rice with boquerones. So, you will spot them easily because of their terraces. In fact, they are located in front of a boat where the skewers are roasted over an open olive wood fire.
Also, these are places with lots of charm, the waiters shout while passing between the tables and running from one side to another and the food is usually very abundant. Our favourite Chiringuitos in Malaga are El Lirio, Las Palmeras or El Merlo on the Paseo Marítimo de Pedregalejo.
Enjoy Coffee like a Malagueño: How to order Coffee in Malaga?
Going on with our Malaga Food Guide top things to do, now it’s time for coffee! If you like Coffee and you are in Malaga, don’t order Latte Macchiato, Capuchino or Americano, but go for coffee like locals. Coffee in Malaga will definitely suit your preferences since we have 9 different names to order it!
So… how to order coffee in Malaga? We have 9 different ways to do it! It basically depends on the quantity and proportion of freshly brewed, strong coffee and milk. In fact, it all starts with “nube” (cloud), because, as you can imagine, there is very little coffee inside and lots of milk (10/90, approximately).
Furthermore, if you like it a little bit stronger, go for a “sombra” (shadow), where the coffee proportion already rises to 20%. So, “Mitad” (50/50), “largo” (90/10) and “solo” (expresso) are other popular combinations, always increasing the quantity of coffee and lowering the one of the milk.
Also, you can even decide if you want warm or steaming hot milk. In fact, in summer maybe with an extra glass with ice cubes to enjoy it cool. So, order it in a cup or a glass (the latter is very malagueño!), or make it complete and accompany it with authentic “churros” or a mollete bread with tomato, extra virgin olive oil and Iberian ham. Best breakfast ever!
So… Have you already tried some of the most famous Malaga food or typical dishes? Which is your favourite? What about your top 3 restaurants or wineries in Malaga city? Leave a comment below and tell us!
Start getting ready for the next time you will be in Malaga by cooking some traditional Spanish dishes or buying one of our tours’ gift card with no expiry date! As always, we will be happy to guide you around our favourite tapas bars, wineries and restaurants in Malaga for an amazing gastro tour!
We hope you have enjoyed reading our Malaga Food Guide. Remember you can subscribe to our newsletter if you want to stay tuned!
¡Que aproveche!
Definitely one of the best foodie post ever. Great job.