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

CASA BIGOTE Michelin Bib Gourmand It was in 1951 when a local sailor, Fernando Hermoso, opened a despacho de Vinos selling manzanilla to fishermen. Fernando grew an Errol Flynn-style moustache, and his friends started calling him “El Bigote”. Manzanilla, a salty, extremely dry sherry (the salt comes from the local bodegas’ proximity to the sea air), originates from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and you will still find it on almost every table. In 1970, Fernando Jr. took over t

LA BODEGA DEL CANTINERO Mark Walsh returned to another of his favourite spots in San Pedro de Alcántara, just outside the famous resort of Marbella. La Bodega del Cantinero, often known as “Casa Alberto,” is a modern restaurant with a family-run structure, Alberto manages the front of house and hosts guests, while his wife handles the kitchen. This owner-chef partnership is typical of newer Spanish “personal” restaurants, which contrast with traditional taverns. La Bodega de

CASA LOLA We were with Mark Walsh of @walshjewellery , looking for a few tapas in Malaga, so we stopped by the buzzy Casa Lola for lunch. Located in the centre of Málaga, Casa Lola is a popular bar favoured by locals. It offers a wide selection of tapas at very reasonable prices, along with a daily special that provides excellent value for those on a tight budget. You can choose a few pinchos and tapas to enjoy at the bar with a drink or take a seat at a table. We had a pin

BODEGA BAR EL PIMPI We were with Mark Walsh of @walshjewellery in Malaga and popped into this lively bar, located in the historical city centre next to the Alcazaba, which is among Málaga’s most renowned establishments. El Pimpi is featured in virtually every tourist guide imaginable. Even with its popularity as a tourist destination, El Pimpi has preserved the high-quality food that made it renowned. It is reasonably priced. Bodegas Bar El Pimpi is an interesting maze-like