10 Great Restaurants in Malaga

El Pimpi is a popular Malaga restaurant where you can step back in time and enjoy classic local Andalusian dishes. The restaurant is set in a historic house and serves must-tries like lagostinos al pimpi (king prawns sauteed in garlic, spices and olive oil) and salmorejo (cold tomato and garlic soup). Remember to save room for the light and cheesy dessert of mascarpone with berries.

The thoughtful presentation includes dark plates for colorful dishes that make the vibrant hues pop. On the restaurant’s walls, you’ll see many pictures of celebrities who have become El Pimpi’s patrons. Book in advance or expect to line up, especially on weekends.

Restaurante El Envero is an Andalusian restaurant in Malaga with clean and sleek styling and a bold blue-and-white color theme. Its chic vibe flows inside and onto its terrace.

Feast your eyes on the fresh fish and seafood displayed in glass cases and the legs of jamon (dry-cured ham) that hangs in a row behind the bar. Picks for mains include fresh local seafood like calamari, prawns and cod, as well as excellent meat selections. For dessert, try the milhojas (thousand leaves cake) – it’s a multi-layered puff pastry filled with light custard and topped with caramelized milk.

Doña Inés is a fine-dining restaurant offering a rich gastronomic experience through classic Spanish and Mediterranean dishes in Malaga. The dining area features an elegant combination of light-coloured wood and black trims, with glass cases showcasing a variety of wines to pair with your meal.

Try the modern takes on the classic paella, cooked in a large, shallow pan. Their arroz de conejo with rabbit, mushroom and asparagus is a must-try. Or, go for the arroz negro that uses black rice, with prawns, squid and mango sauce. Wash it down with one of their expertly made cocktails or their suggestion of wine.

Restaurante José Carlos Garcia is a Michelin-starred Mediterannean restaurant at the Port of Malaga, right next to the lighthouse. Upon entering, you’ll be led through a bright open kitchen and onto a spacious dining room with an industrial-chic setup. Its striking decor includes a hanging wall garden and a glass wall with views toward a charming chapel.

Check out the 20-course tasting menu and enjoy delicious creations like sunflower seed shortbread, bloody mary oysters and avocado meringue. You’ll be amused by the artful plating on dishes shaped like starfish, shells, and leaves.

At El Referectorium Catedral in Malaga, you’ll find traditional tapas served with an elegant modern spin. The street view is a classy white and gold, while the interior dining area is chic in white, black and silver. You can choose to sit outside on the terrace where you can enjoy the view of the Cathedral of Malaga (Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga).

The staff make you feel welcomed and will help you choose from the selection of tapas. Try updated versions of classics like red tuna tartar, cod with tomato or steak tenderloin with artichoke. The ensaladilla Rusa (Russian salad) is a must-try potato salad made with tuna, egg, carrot and peas.

Restaurante Montana is housed in a beautiful building that features a lush inner courtyard and charming little pool. The decor is modern and stylish, with a mix of dark wood, black trimmings and high arched doorways. Friendly service complements its homey ambience.

Food-wise, the chef adds new twists to local classics by mixing them with international flavors. Examples include local-favourite seabass cooked with saffron rice and mussels. You’ll also find bao bread with crispy chicken, broiled onion and kimchi sauce which reflects some of the Asian influences featured on the menu.

Kraken Tapas offers imaginative sharing dishes in a bright and chic setting. The decor creates a cool vibe with rich orange velvet benches, unique sea life-inspired motifs, ocean blue accents, and a huge stone-studded wall. Choose a table inside the well-spaced dining area or head outside to enjoy dining in the sunshine and among orange trees.

Delightfully creative combinations from the menu include steak tartare with truffles and quail eggs and the duck Bolognese lasagna. The desserts are equally as inventive – save room to try the cheese flan and caramel ice cream or the brownie with mango ice cream.

At Méson Cortijo de Pepe, you can experience a piece of Malaga’s history as you enjoy traditional tapas. This restaurant is housed in a historic building, with exposed brick archways and wooden beam ceilings, together with charming framed pictures covering its walls.

Dine downstairs at the bar or enjoy a full meal in the restaurant space upstairs. From the large selection of traditional tapas and local dishes made with quality ingredients, try Malaga’s local-favourite montaditos de lomo (goat meat) or hot pork rolls. Selections off the charcoal broil include octopus and suckling lamb chops. The menu is conveniently provided in English.      

Gorki Selección in Malaga serves gourmet tapas in a modern setting with thoughtful and contemporary decor. You’ll be charmed by the mix of light-coloured woods, the stacked crates displaying a fantastic variety of wines, and the condiments served in colorful cans. Their jamon (dry-cured ham) is curiously displayed in the dining area on a rack that looks like a hat stand.

Begin your meal by trying their homemade cheese. Then try gourmet options like crab crepes with apple and white sauce or the duck breast with sautéed vegetables. Finish it off with their namesake dessert, the Gorki tarta, a crunchy wafer cake with cream and almonds.

Restaurant Papá Piquillo is an elegant dining spot that offers a fusion of Malaga’s traditional flavors and international influences. The dining room is modern and inviting, with green velvet, light-coloured walls, and chic chandeliers. The atmosphere is lively and you’ll often enjoy music performances while you dine.

You’ll be delighted by the intense and clever flavor combinations of the natilla de boletus, a cheesy mushroom custard, or humus de calçots, tasty broiled onion hummus. Be sure to spare some room for one of their creatively designed desserts, such as the pumpkin and wild strawberry cake.