RESTAURANTE LAS GITANILLAS This restaurant, which we have visited several times, is located in a wonderful spot on a pedestrianised street in the heart of Estepona. The family have had a restaurant in Estepona since 1970. In 2004, Paco Bazán, son of Francisco Bazán Hormigo and María Peña Gil, who learned from a young age both behind and in front of the bar alongside his parents, opened Las Gitanillas (which is Spanish for the little gypsy girls). Paco’s daughter, Gema Bazán,

CHIRINGUITO MANACA To get to Chiringuito Manaca from Mojácar, drive past the Hotel Indalo on the road from Mojácar to Carboneras. Continue straight inland and take a left at the third roundabout onto Playa Macenas. You will see the Castillo de Macenas just before the Macenas golf course extends inland. Drive past Chiringuito Macenas, where you can stop for a drink or some tapas, and continue onto an unpaved dirt road that isn’t in great condition. This road initially runs alo

THE BOAB TREE We recently visited The Boab Tree Restaurant in Estepona, situated in the heart of the Old Town. The restaurant is family-owned and named after the majestic Boab tree, a symbol of strength, resilience, and community. The owner, Jorge, originally hails from Granada but lived in New York before relocating. He brought his American wife, Anissa, and their daughter, and sold everything to pursue this dream venture in Estepona. The Boab Tree features Mediterranean-i

CASA ADELINA Casa Adelina has been operating in the small town of Turre for over 50 years, since its opening in 1973. It was founded by Adelina Cervantes and her husband, Juan Martínez. It began more modestly than the restaurant you see today. It was essentially a small tapas bar serving locals with simple, traditional Almerian food. Adelina prepared recipes passed down through the local culinary tradition. The place became increasingly popular, particularly for Adelina’s car

LA CEPA DE CÁDIZ This great local bar offers beer, wine, and Manzanilla, along with chicharrones, cheeses, products from Sierra de Cádiz, cold cuts from Extremadura, and a wide variety of tinned preserves. It is a place with a lot of charm, a little piece of Cádiz in Málaga for gaditanos. We settled in and had, Anchoa y leche condensada (tinned anchovy and condensed milk) is a simple yet exquisite tapa. It features a single high-quality, salt-cured anchovy fillet from Cantabr

CHIRINGUITO PACO If you’re seeking fresh seafood and a variety of fish, this authentic Spanish beach bar on the beach in Estepona, established in 1997, is an excellent choice and a place to start. Once settled in, we had some espeto de sardinas (sardines skewered and cooked over hot coals). Tortillitas de camarones (the famous lightly battered, thin, crisp shrimp fritters). Conchas Finas (local Málaga smooth clams). Coquinas al ajillo y vino blanco (small flat clams from Huel

This was our second visit to Uvedoble Taberna in Málaga City, conveniently located near the Roman Theatre and below the Alcazaba in Málaga’s historic centre, inviting exploration and a sense of place. Despite its characterless, tourist-café look, this restaurant and bar serves interesting tapas, including several typical Málaga dishes, adding an authentic local touch. The interior is minimalist with a lively bar area. On our first visit, we had eaten elsewhere before coming h

APONIENTE Three Michelin Stars A return visit to the Angel León restaurant, Aponiente, renowned for its cuisine of the sea and exclusively seafood. After relocating from its previous site in the centre of El Puerto de Santa María, the new and much more glamorous restaurant is situated just outside of town in what was once an old flour mill built in 1815. A small river or stream flows beneath the current building, and the energy it produced for the mill was used to grind

JOSÉ CARLOS GARCIA One Michelin Star UPDATE JUNE 2026 Rumour has it that Michelin-starred chef José Carlos García was planning to move his restaurant from Malaga Port. Even he wasn’t entirely sure about his new destination. While he knew he wanted to leave the port, the location remained uncertain. Finally, the Malaga-born chef, who has held a Michelin star at his eponymous restaurant for nearly 15 years, is returning to his roots. “It was a difficult decision, but I’

AIRE GASTROBAR Michelin Guide A return to Aire Gastrobar. This longstanding favourite in Málaga City is ideally located in the heart of town, just a short walk from the Bullring (Plaza de Toros). After settling in, we began with Jamón ibérico de castaña-bellota from the Genal Valley in Ronda (this luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth Iberian ham comes from pigs fed on chestnuts and acorns). Croquetas de gambas al pil-pil con emulsión de sus cabezas (prawn croquettes in pil-pil sau