Where to eat in Malaga: the best food guide

Few places have surprised me quite like Malaga, but one thing I did know is that I’d fall hard for its food. Give me a plate of croquetas and I’ll be in heaven.

From the morning buzz of the markets to late-night tapas around tiny tables, Spanish cuisine is meant for eating well, together.

Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stopping by quickly as part of a longer trip, here’s my first-hand guide to where to eat in Malaga from morning until night. With local recommendations galore, you may not find these hidden gems on other itineraries!

Looking for a full city break itinerary? Read my post on the ultimate 3 days in Malaga itinerary

Mercado de Atarazanas | Breakfast

A former boatyard dating back to the 14th century, Mercado de Atarazanas has become one of the fresh produce hubs of Malaga.

With colourful fruit piled high, every variety of olive you can imagine and the scent of fresh ‘pescaito’ in the air, it’s a spot you’ll find on most Malaga city guides but for good reason. You could do virtually a whole weekly shop in here – and it looked like some locals did! – or if you’re lucky, pull up a stool at one of the stands offering quick bites to eat.

Even if you just wander through to pick up a grab ‘n’ go snack, it’s well worth a peek inside.

Traditional tapas bars | Lunch

If you do one thing in Malaga, long lunch at a tapas bar is a must. There’s nothing that says holiday more than an unhurried few hours grazing through delicious small plates, accompanied by a glass of the local tipple.

Casa Lola Strachan

One of my favourites was Casa Lola: you’ll find a few branches scattered across the city but we ate at the large Calle Strachan location. Its popularity makes it super lively but even considering the generous size of the menu, the food arrives quickly and perfectly portioned to the size of your party.

We also ate the best garlic prawns and croquettes of our whole trip to Malaga here.

Trataga

For a relaxed yet refined lunch, Michelin-guide listed Trataga brings together Mediterranean flavours with modern presentation for a unique twist on Spanish classics.

Expect creative small places, an extensive wine list and a generous helping of padron peppers!

Beachfront dining in El Palo

Hop on the number 3 bus to El Palo, traditionally a fisherman’s neighbourhood just east of the city centre, to discover the true meaning of the Malaga’s ‘espeto de sardinas’.

These traditional grilled sardines are cooked over hot coals, not on a normal fire, but on a metal fishing boat styled for the purpose.

We arrived on an October late afternoon when sadly the stalls had already closed for the day, but this is an awesome lunch spot you should absolutely try.

When the sun goes down | Dinner

When the sun goes down, Málaga’s restaurants hum with life. When you’re looking for where to eat in Malaga, the endless options can get overwhelming so I’ve picked out a few highlights that will help to shape a city break nicely.

El Tapeo de Cervantes

This feels like everything you’d expect from a quintessential tapas bar but its menu boasts some unexpected items among the usual. Along with traditional meatballs and croquettes, we also had a delicious pumpkin risotto and even the salads were top tier.

It was absolutely packed to the rafters when we visited, so you’ll definitely want to book to secure a peak time table. The staff are charming with a brusque humour that’ll come out if you leave any morsels uneaten!

Restaurante Tulum

For something a little different, we also tried Restaurante Tulum for a hit of Mexico in southern Spain. Here, you’ll find the all the classics you’d expect from a Mexican, but with some unexpected twists that keep you guessing. Our collective favourites were the beef tacos and of course, heaps of guacamole!

If you’re craving a break from tapas, the colourful decor and punchy flavours make for a fun evening out.

Take a local’s food tour

If you want a real local’s take on where to eat in Malaga, a food tour is a great option.

The tour linked above is the exact one we loved. Our brilliant guide took us to three excellent spots – not so many it’s overwhelming! – and told us about the extensive process they go through to choose the restaurants.

The great thing about this tour was how it balanced dishes we know and love, like tortilla, with some we may not know to choose on a menu ourselves, like their ‘National’ salad.

Starting at Antigua Casa de Guardia, the atmospheric bar is filled with old-school wine barrels and the best Moscatel Malaga has to offer.

We then headed for tapas classics at Taberna, featuring one of my personal highlights – fried aubergine drizzled in cane sugar molasses – among other delicious bites. Finishing at Tasca La Salita, this bar really gave us the local feel with tasty salmorejo and a goat’s cheese & tomato marmalade combination that I still dream about to this day.

It’s a great way to find where to eat in Malaga that’s a little more off the beaten track and, if you do it on your first night, you’ll have time to go back to any favourites to try more!

Sweet treats | Anytime!

If you’re anything like me, no food guide to Malaga would be complete without a sweet treat per day.

O Melhor Croissant da Minha Rua

if you’re a pastry lover, take yourself to this spot where the giant croissants have lamination to make the Bake Off judges proud. We actually stopped by for their ice cream which was pretty darn good, although it’s got tough competition with my next recommendation…

Lucciano’s

Need something chilled to take the edge off the afternoon heat? Lucciano’s is a fancy ice cream parlour serving up absolutely delicious homemade gelato and ice lollies that taste as good as they look on your Instagram feed.

Bun and Coffee

We walked past this store and I still regret not stopping for one of their artisan doughnuts. Their seasonal flavours look exceptional to pair with a speciality coffee – for autumn, think pistachio praline, apple crumble and s’more!

Casa Aranda

A legend in the city, this may not be a hidden gem but it’s worth every bit of the hype. Serving up crisp churros since 1932, Casa Aranda has expanded to take over virtually an entire block and each table is packed from dawn til dusk.

While it’s always busy, don’t be deterred: I’ve never seen efficiency like their staff and it’s easy to be in and out in under 30 minutes if you’ve only got time for a churro on the go.

Without a doubt, these are the best churros con chocolate I’ve ever eaten.

Final tips for where to eat in Malaga

• As you may know, the Spanish dine late compared to some standards: lunch at 14:00 – 15:00 and dinner from 21:00.
• Book ahead for dinner, especially on weekends, if you want to guarantee a seat at your must-visit spots.
• Some popular restaurants are closed on Sundays and Mondays (although the spots on this list should be ok!) so plan ahead.
• The best part about tapas is that they’re designed for sharing! Order abundantly and gradually to stretch out the experience all evening long.

Where to stay in Malaga

With a beautiful aesthetic, comfortable rooms and (most importantly for this guide), a delicious breakfast buffet to kickstart your trip to Malaga, Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Mar is an excellent place to stay in Malaga. I won’t go into too much detail now, as I’ve written a full review that you can check out for more information!

Read my full Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Mar review.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide of all the best recommendations for where to eat in Malaga. Whether you’re perched on a market stool or sipping vermouth in a centuries-old bodega, eating in Málaga is an experience best enjoyed slowly.

You’ll come hungry and leave already planning your next visit!

Laura x

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