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

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 (

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

ANYWAY WINE BAR Mark Walsh paid a visit to this fantastic little wine bar in Málaga City, founded in 2018 by local entrepreneur David Camino after he returned from working abroad and pursued his idea for a wine-centric concept in Málaga. It is a wonderfully cool place for serious wine drinkers, quite near the paseo marítimo; it’s the perfect spot for an early evening drink after work for the city’s creative in-crowd.   With over 200 wines, all served by the glass, the list is

RESTAURANTE LA ESCOLLERA La Escollera has been in Puerto de Estepona since 1940. The long-standing harbour-side restaurant, with a large terrace, is one of the best places to enjoy stunning, fresh seafood in Estepona. The restaurant is old school and not fancy. There is an extensive menu featuring freshly caught, local fish, right from the fish market. Fresh fish arrives from the sea in the morning, and you can enjoy it at your table for lunch or dinner within hours. You will

LA COSMO Michelin Bib Gourmand La Cosma is the younger sibling of Dani Carnero ’ s La Cosmopolita. It has a more modern vibe and setting, but still serves big-flavoured Andalucian cooking without any gimmicks. We enjoyed an excellent early dinner, sitting at the long bar looking into the open kitchen.  We started with some excellent bread. Ostras (oysters) La Gilda atún, tomate, piparra y anchoa (a new take on the Gilda, the iconic pintxo inspired by actress Rita Hayworth,

ANTIGUA CASA DE GUARDIA After a visit to the Mercado Central de Atarazanas (Málaga’s local food market, which also has excellent tapas bars), a short walk will take you to the oldest bar in Málaga, founded in 1840.  Here, they mainly sell Málaga sweet wine directly from the barrel. It is a typical spit-and-sawdust, old-fashioned drinking bar, and it is great fun.  It’s like stepping back in time to one of the few places in Málaga that still maintains its atmosphere. Try the p

KALEJA One Michelin Star The name of this restaurant by Chef Dani Carnero is particularly apt (Kaleja is the Sephardic word for alley), given its location in Málaga’s Jewish quarter, just a few steps from the city’s Picasso Museum. It is a gastronomic restaurant based on interpretations of the traditional Málaga recipe book and on enhancing humble ingredients that have sometimes disappeared from large restaurants, such as beans, lentils, etc. There are two dining areas in

PALOCORTADO This excellent restaurant is situated outside of the crowded old town area of bars and restaurants and is well worth a visit. We arrived early for Andalucía at 8.15 pm, and it was empty, but when we left at 10.15 pm, it was full to bursting, as is the way in Málaga. It is an excellent spot for an aperitivo; we had a fabulous palocortado cocktail to begin the evening. There is also a superb wine list. Once settled in, we began our meal with G azpachuelo cremoso