Málaga is no longer just about sun, sand, and sea. Over the past few years, it has emerged as one of southern Europe’s most exciting food destinations. Whether you’re after traditional Andalusian flavors or contemporary Michelin-starred innovation, this coastal city offers it all.
Here are 12 restaurants in Málaga that you simply can’t miss in 2025.
List of restaurants
Not many places in Málaga combine excellent food with live flamenco, and this is one of them. Alegría Flamenco y Gastronomía is a tablao restaurant that fuses Andalusian culinary tradition with the art of flamenco.
For over a decade, it has hosted shows that change every week. Performances blend singing, dancing, and guitar in different programmes depending on the season.
The venue has a 500-square-metre hall, a terrace for 70 guests, and indoor areas for up to 120. It’s also a popular choice for dinners and private events. Multiple flamenco sessions are held daily at various times.
There’s even the option to take an introductory flamenco class to better understand the art form and connect with local culture.
For prime seats, aim for the early evening show and arrive a little ahead of time. The team can guide you through regional wines and sherries that pair beautifully with the rhythm of the performance. If you’re celebrating, the tasting menu keeps the pace smooth between sets, so you never feel rushed. Little wonder many visitors list Alegría among the best restaurants in Malaga for a dinner-and-show experience.
The kitchen serves modern Andalusian cuisine, combining traditional ingredients with creative touches. A signature cocktail menu complements the live performances. Diners can choose set menus, tasting menus, or order à la carte.
The Chef Menu includes starters such as ensaladilla (potato and mayonnaise salad) or porra (thick cold tomato soup), a main like slow-cooked beef cheek or presa ibérica (acorn-fed Iberian pork), and dessert. The Alegría Menu focuses on a tapas tasting, perfect for a more casual meal.
Local specialties include porra antequerana (tomato and bread cold soup), flamenquín de presa ibérica (breaded pork roll), and flan de mango de la Axarquía (mango flan from the Axarquía region).
In short, it offers the complete package — flamenco culture, live art, and Andalusian cooking — earning its place at the top of Málaga’s best restaurants.
| Google Rating | 4.9/5 (11,000+ reviews) |
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| Price | ££ |
| District | Málaga East |
| Address | C. Vélez Málaga, 6, Málaga-Este, 29016, Málaga |
| Cuisine | Contemporary Andalusian cuisine |
With a laid-back atmosphere and two locations, this tavern offers much more than you might expect. Here, modern touches blend with tradition in a warm, friendly setting, supported by attentive service.
The décor is casual with a beach vibe, making it a great spot for celebrations or gatherings with friends.
Portions are designed for sharing, and rice dishes are cooked to order, so plan a relaxed meal. The wine list leans Spanish, with bottles from Rías Baixas, Rioja and Ribera del Duero, plus a few fun by-the-glass picks that match the tapas format. It’s a friendly choice for groups who want comfort food with a polished touch without leaving the city centre.
The menu is extensive, but the stars are the rice dishes and paella (Spanish saffron rice with seafood or meat). You’ll also find croquetas de rabo de toro (oxtail croquettes), ensaladilla rusa (potato and vegetable salad with mayonnaise), and the more modern tartar de atún (tuna tartare).
Weekends can be busy; lunch reservations help. If you’re torn between paella styles, ask staff for the daily recommendation—they’ll steer you toward the pan with the best socarrat. Kids are welcome and there’s enough variety for picky eaters, making this a practical stop on a day of sightseeing.
| Google Rating | 4.6/5 (2,200+ reviews) |
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| Price | ££ |
| District | Distrito Centro. |
| Address | Av. de la Aurora, 1, Distrito Centro, 29002 Málaga. |
| Cuisine | Signature tapas, rice dishes, and paellas. Excellent wine list |
Araboka calls itself a “House of Wines and Foods” and champions a “Heritage Kitchen” philosophy. Here, seasonal local ingredients meet culinary craftsmanship, reinventing tradition without losing authenticity.
Refined Spanish Cuisine
Araboka’s “heritage” approach shows in the way servers introduce each plate—where it comes from, why that cut, and which garnish matters.
Expect generous mains and precise flavours rather than showy tricks. The cellar is a highlight: trust the team for smart pairings, from saline Andalusian whites to structured reds.
From classic stews to modern takes like toasted noodles with coral aioli or Malaga-style sausage tartare, every dish is a conversation. The wine list is exceptional and the staff are ready to recommend pairings.
| Google Rating | 4.6/5 (2,200+ reviews) |
|---|---|
| Price | £££ |
| District | Centro |
| Address | C. Pedro de Toledo, 4, 29002, Málaga |
| Cuisine | Refined traditional cuisine |
Andalusia has a long-standing tapas tradition, and while other cities may get more attention, Málaga easily holds its own. One of its standout spots is Kraken Bar Tapas, a place that elevates the humble tapa into something truly special. Here, guests can enjoy tempting small plates in a relaxed, informal setting.
Order a mix of half portions to build your own tasting menu—two or three classics, one seafood special and something from the grill. Service is quick, and the terrace catches a pleasant breeze in the late afternoon. It’s a casual way to sample Málaga’s staples without committing to a long sit-down meal.
Located on Plaza de las Flores, the restaurant’s terrace offers a breezy, welcoming space for sharing bites with friends in the heart of the city.
Don’t skip the daily specials board; it features a seasonal croquette or a market fish toast. Sharing is the spirit here, so plates land as they’re ready. Pair with a cold beer or a light local white and you’ve got an easy, affordable route into the city’s tapas culture.
The menu covers all the bases, from iconic Iberian acorn-fed ham and cured pork loin to their signature “Kraken-style” Russian salad. Vegetarians can opt for dishes like the Caprese salad or choose from their inventive “bocados,” including mini burgers made from aged beef or garlic prawn tacos.
For those with a bigger appetite, there are heartier plates such as mushroom rice with Iberian pork or juicy grilled chicken churrasco—perfect for rounding out a classic Málaga tapas experience.
| Google Rating | 4.6/5 (5,900+ reviews) |
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| Price | £££ |
| District | Distrito Centro |
| Address | Pl. de las Flores, 2, Distrito Centro, 29005 Málaga |
| Cuisine | Sophisticated and creative tapas |
Among Málaga’s best restaurants, Da Saveria stands out as a true taste of Italy. Since opening in February 2016 opposite the Church of Carmen, it has been serving authentic Italian fare far removed from the standard franchise offerings.
Here, fresh pasta and traditional homemade recipes from Calabria take center stage. Generous portions, bold flavors, and excellent value keep diners coming back. Guests also praise the warm service, with owners who personally ensure every visitor leaves satisfied.
Pastas are rolled and cut in-house; sauces taste clean and seasoned rather than heavy. Beyond the classics, look for southern Italian touches from Calabria
Service is warm but efficient, and the bill rarely stings—part of why Da Saveria wins loyal regulars as well as travellers hunting the best restaurants in Malaga for Italian food.
As you’d expect from an Italian restaurant, pasta reigns supreme—whether fresh, stuffed, or dried. Classic sauces like pesto are always on offer. The menu also features a variety of pizzas, meats, and fish, with standout dishes such as rolled veal and grilled swordfish.
If you’re sharing, split a fresh pasta, a pizza and one of the meat or fish mains—portion sizes make that easy. The room is lively without being loud, so it works for families as much as date night.
| Google Rating | 4.8/5 (5,370+ reviews) |
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| Price | £ |
| District | Distrito Centro |
| Address | C. Ancha del Carmen, 30, Distrito Centro, 29002 Málaga |
| Cuisine | Homemade Italian |
| Google Rating | 4.5/5 (3,200+ reviews) |
|---|---|
| Price | ££ |
| District | Málaga East |
| Address | C. Vélez Málaga, 6, Málaga-Este, 29016, Málaga |
| Cuisine | Spanish cuisine and refined tapas |
| Google Ratings | 4,6 stars +8.500 reviews |
|---|---|
| Price | ££ |
| District | Puerto |
| Address | CC Muelle Uno, P.º del Muelle Uno, Local 65, Distrito Centro, 29016 Málaga |
| Cuisine | Casual dining with seafood, fish, meats, rice, and paellas |
Dining in Málaga isn’t just about traditional dishes. At Verum Restaurante El Asador de Málaga, you can enjoy tapas alongside exceptional cuts of beef.
Nicknamed “The Temple of Meat,” the restaurant has won awards such as the 2023 Hosteltech Andalucía prize for best charcoal-grilled steak.
The meat is cooked in a handmade Castilian oven, fuelled by holm oak wood — a detail that sets it apart from gas-grilled meats.
Wine lovers will also be in their element here.
The cellar holds around 500 labels, both Spanish and international, making it one of the best wine collections in the city.
Specialities include grilled meats, chuletillas de chivo malagueño (charcoal-grilled goat chops), presa ibérica de bellota(acorn-fed Iberian pork shoulder), and Simmental beef entrecôte.
They also serve wild bluefin tuna, offering excellent options from the sea.
| Google Rating | 4.4/5 (2,500+ reviews) |
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| Price | £££ |
| District | Málaga East |
| Address | C. Flamencos, 3, Málaga-Este, 29018, Málaga |
| Cuisine | High-quality grilled meats. Wild bluefin tuna. |
Among Málaga’s best restaurants, Andino Gastrobar brings a vibrant celebration of Latin American flavors.
Rather than focusing on a single country, the menu is a culinary journey stretching from the windswept plains of Patagonia to the desserts of Mexico.
They offer classic dishes, but with a modern twist that reinterprets them. There are also vegan options.
Classic dishes are reimagined with contemporary flair, and there’s no shortage of vegan-friendly choices. The extensive menu spans ten pages, featuring everything from Mexican tacos and Dominican roasted plantain to Venezuelan arepas and pabellón criollo. Each plate can be paired with wines from Chile or Argentina, making for a dining experience that’s as rich in culture as it is in taste.
This is the place to explore the diversity of Latin cuisine in one sitting, all in a lively, welcoming atmosphere that captures the spirit of the Americas.
| Google Rating | 4.6/5 (3,400+ reviews) |
|---|---|
| Price | £ |
| District | Distrito Centro |
| Address | C. Calderón de la Barca, 3, Distrito Centro, 29005 Málaga |
| Cuisine | Wide variety of Latin dishes |
Located inside Málaga’s Contemporary Art Centre (CAC Málaga), Óleo Restaurante makes a statement with its setting alone.
The kitchen serves Mediterranean dishes with a creative, signature twist — and specialises in sushi.
The interior is sleek and modern, reflecting its artistic surroundings, while the terrace offers a relaxed spot to enjoy a meal near the sea.
The menu features tapas and half portions such as patatas bravas with spicy foam and crispy spring rolls.
Meat dishes include tender confit suckling pig, while seafood lovers can try taco de atún marcado (seared tuna).
The star of the menu is sushi, with a wide range that includes salmon nigiri, eel nigiri, and salmon sashimi.
| Google Rating | 4.6/5 (2,100+ reviews) |
|---|---|
| Price | ££ |
| District | Distrito Centro |
| Address | Edificio CAC Centro de Arte Contemporáneo, C. Alemania, s/n, Distrito Centro, 29001 Málaga |
| Cuisine | Creative Mediterranean. Sushi specialists. |
Cantina Canalla Soho is a laid-back Mexican restaurant serving a wide range of dishes from across Mexico.
It’s a great spot to explore the country’s bold and varied flavours.
The menu includes classics such as nachos, house-made guacamole, torreznos con guacamole (crispy pork belly with guacamole), and quesadillas filled with melted cheese.
| Google Rating | 4.5/5(3,158+ reviews) |
|---|---|
| Price | £ |
| District | Distrito Centro |
| Address | C/ Trinidad Grund, 28, Distrito Centro, 29001 Málaga |
| Cuisine | Popular Mexican |
Vegetarians have more and more options in Málaga, and this restaurant is dedicated to vegetarian cuisine.
The cooking is creative yet rooted in tradition, with a focus on healthy eating. Many vegetables come from organic farms in the province.
The wide variety on the menu means everyone can find a dish to suit their taste.
Options include starters, salads, soups, pasta, rice dishes, and house specialities. Freshly made juices are also available.
Highlights include albóndigas de soja con salsa de champiñones (soy meatballs in mushroom sauce), arroz persa(Persian-style rice), vegetable lasagna, creamy vegetable soup, and their homemade patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce).
| Google Rating | 4.5/5 (2,000+ reviews) |
|---|---|
| Price | £ |
| District | Distrito Centro |
| Address | Pl. de la Merced, 21, Distrito Centro, 29012, Málaga |
| Cuisine | Vegetarian and vegan |