Where to Eat and Stay in Malaga

In fact, while the locals may have the official nickname of Malagueños, their unofficial moniker is boquerones, after the endless quantities of anchovies they eat.

We’ll guide you to the best restaurants in Malaga as well as the very best hotels. Whether you’re here on the Costa del Sol for a family vacation or a city break, our picks of the best places to stay in Malaga will have you sitting pretty in this sun-blessed destination.

Food with a View

If you want the true Malaga experience, try to adjust to the local dining hours. It’s typical for the Spanish to have a long, leisurely lunch, often followed by a siesta to sleep it off. After work, locals often have a merienda - a break for coffee and a pastry or cake. Dinner usually takes off around 10 at night, but if you fancy eating a little earlier, places will generally serve from 8pm.

There’s one restaurant in town so feted, it’s almost seen as a tourist attraction rather than a place to eat. Note that El Pimpi rests on its laurels, serving up reliably excellent fare since 1971 in a mansion dating from the 18th century. While it attracts celebrities both local and international, it manages to retain an atmosphere that is both unpretentious and fun. Try to grab a terrace table – it’ll put you in the heart of the city where the views are heart-stopping at night. Try its jamon iberico or go for fresh and flavorful clams, prawns, and tapas. The restaurant also does a great job of catering for those with food intolerances, with multi-lingual menus that flag up allergens. This is the place to go for a gluten-free meal in Malaga, and a landmark to boot.

Location, Location, Location

Location is everything when it comes to the best hotels in Malaga. Don’t choose between tourist attractions and the sea – have both. The chic Molina Lario is near the Picasso Museum, cathedral, adjacent square of Plaza del Obispo, and mere moments from the sea. If the beach is too crowded, retire to the hotel’s roof terrace and pool to enjoy one of the best viewpoints in the city. When booking, ask for a room in the 19th century part of the building – some have views of the cathedral or port, and you might even be lucky enough to get a four-poster bed.

You’re also a short stroll from one of the best fine-dining experiences in town and Malaga’s only Michelin-starred restaurant: José Carlos García. Close to the port, its tasting menu offers a creative twist on Malaga’s culinary culture. You’ll find anchovies combined with miso, pigeon breast cannelloni, and dim sum scallops. If you’re not driving, an eclectic wine list gives you the perfect opportunity to dip into fine local bottles.

Style in the Center

The Room Mate chain has two outposts in Malaga, both providing comfort in chic surroundings right in the heart of the action.

Room Mate Larios is in the Centro Historico, just a few yards from the main sights and most popular stores. There’s a roof terrace for a cooling drink overlooking the port when your evening is winding down. In the up-and-coming Soho area, Room Mate Valeria is nestled next to the port. Lounge on a daybed on the roof terrace or dip into the pool to escape the sun. Barely 400 yards away is the restaurant Mamuchis, a neighborhood favorite on Calle Casas de Campos. This friendly place has both Spanish tapas and dim sum. Casual, laidback, and cool, it sets the vibe for the district.

From Tataki to Tapas

For a more dramatic dinner, get a reservation at Vino Mio, east of the center. It sits next door to a theater – Teatro Cervantes – and seems to have soaked up some of its flair. From Wednesday to Sunday, there’s a live flamenco show. If you’re here another night, it has an excellent collection of contemporary art on display. But the star of the show is the menu and its globe-trotting dishes, where choices include tuna tataki, South African crocodile, and Australian kangaroo. Vegetarian options are also available.

A ‘room with a view’ usually means perfect vistas of the city or sea, but it takes on an entirely different meaning at the Vincci Selección Posada del Patio. In the lobby under a glass floor, you’ll find ruins of the city’s Roman wall and echoes of Malaga’s Arabic past. On a hot day, however, you’ll likely be more interested by what’s on the roof: a glorious open-air pool. Rooms are modern and simple, but it’s the balconies and terraces of the larger rooms that are a real winner for enjoying a chilled evening.

End your Malaga visit with a tapas tour. You can find guides who’ll take you to the very best places and order the specials for you, but it’s more fun to discover them by yourself. If there’s a crowd of chattering locals pressed up against the bar, it’s a good sign you should join them. If you’re looking for some incredible fried fish, make a beeline for no-frills Marisqueria Casa Vicente, close to the Atarazanas Market.

Tapas aficionados love El Tapeo De Cervantes, which combines modernity, tradition, and atmosphere to heart-warming effect. What’s fresh and available in the markets can often dictate what’s on the menu - but you’ll always find jamon iberico with artichokes, great Manchego cheese, and a spectacular pig cheek with chimichurri. You’ll leave full, and probably in love with Malaga.

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