Málaga is full of great tapas bars and restaurants, with something for everyone. Classic and modern tapas bars, local fish restaurants and Michelin-starred restaurants. Here are six restaurants worth visiting in Málaga.
1 Málaga’s most famous tapas bar and restaurant
The walls are wallpapered with photos of celebrities and adorned with Andalusian tiles. Wine barrels are lined up behind long bar counters. El Pimpi is classically Andalusian and multi-level with small bars, patios and an outdoor terrace overlooking the Roman theater.
El Pimpi is an institution in Málaga. The restaurant opened in 1971. In 2017, the city kid, famous actor Antonio Banderas, bought his way in, which has only made it even more popular.
El Pimpi serves classic Andalusian tapas, hearty dishes and wine in a quirky and cozy 19th century space with a great atmosphere. Try the mini sandwiches, goat cheese and ham, accompanied by local wine. Have a glass of Pajarete sherry from the barrel. Try the local sweet wine (vino dulce).
El Pimpi, Calle Granada 62
2 Michelin-starred dishes over an open fire
Málaga city has three Michelin restaurants (2026). One of them is Restaurant Kaleja, which has one Michelin star. Kaleja has also received two suns in Guía Repsol. The restaurant is led by chef Dani Carnero and opened in 2019.
The name Kaleja means “alley” in Sephardic and refers to the location in Málaga’s Jewish quarter, close to the Picasso Museum, where the restaurant is located.
Dani Carnero’s mission is to slowly cook new interpretations of classic Andalusian dishes on his wood-fired grill. He calls it “candle cooking”. The raw materials are of course seasonal and local.
Two menus are offered; a tasting menu and a cosmopolitan menu. The dishes on the menu change with the seasons. The tasting menu has 13 dishes and the cosmopolitan menu consists of three or four dishes, as desired.
Kaleja’s gazpacho with trout roe and almonds helped put the restaurant on everyone’s lips. The Andalusian soup is taken to new heights here. However, there’s no guarantee that it will be on the menu the day you visit.
Kaleja, C. Marquesa de Moya 9
3 Delicious fish in all shapes and sizes
Fried fish is Malaga’s speciality and you can get it in several varieties in the city’s bars and restaurants. I asked several of the locals where they eat their fish, and the answer was overwhelmingly, “At Los Mellizos”.
The restaurant is located in the heart of Málaga. The counter at the bar is packed with fresh seafood. The tables in the spacious rooms are covered with white tablecloths and the waiters are attentive.
Seafood is of course the star of the menu’s fine selection. From starters with freshly peeled prawns, marinated anchovies, salmon tartare and cod carpaccio to main courses with turbot, sea bream, swordfish and squid, to house specialties like giant prawns with Pedro Ximénez (sweet sherry) and cod.
Last but not least, fried anchovies, prawns, whiting, squid and cod are also served, and Los Mellizo’s fried fish certainly lives up to its reputation as the best in town. I can only endorse the recommendation of the locals.
Los Mellizos also has a branch in the Soho district of Málaga, on Calle Tómas Heredia 21.
Los Mellizos Málaga, Sancha de Lara 7
4 Simple Mediterranean dishes in the Soho neighborhood
A visit to La Deriva, located on the edge of Soho, is an aesthetic experience – both in terms of décor and on the plate.
The restaurant is housed in spacious, beautifully decorated rooms with vaulted ceilings, raw brick walls, rustic wooden tables, bright upholstered chairs and herringbone parquet floors. The restaurant is spread over two rooms with a “wine cellar” behind a large glass door between them. There is also a bar where you can have a drink while waiting for your table.
The cuisine offers classic Mediterranean dishes with an avant-garde twist, and good local produce (especially seafood) takes centre stage. Simple and aesthetic, dishes include lobster, salmon tartare, grilled octopus, tuna with wasabi, risotto, lentils with truffle, and beef tenderloin with rosemary.
La Deriva, Alameda Colón 7
5 Rustic bistro food by the cathedral
Right next to Malaga’s cathedral, in Plaza Obispo, you’ll find the rasta bar L’experience. The cozy space and the view of the cathedral are enough in themselves to make the bistro worth a visit. But L’experience’s kitchen is also worth checking out if you’re looking for simple, no-frills everyday food.
Both the restaurant and the terrace are spacious, but if you want the view from the terrace, you’ll need to book a table or come for an early lunch or dinner.
The extensive menu is a fusion of classic bistro dishes, Spanish classics, salads and creative toasts. Try a VIP version of the classic club sandwich. You can also get burgers with Spanish ham and brie, wraps with strips of beef and homemade potato fries, Thai salad with shrimp or mackerel toast with hot red pepper and tomato.
The experience, Plaza Obispo 4
6. Local favorite with the best artichokes in town
Mesón Mariano was one of the first restaurants recommended to me by a local when I lived in Málaga for a while. It ended up becoming one of my regulars.
Mesón Mariano is located in the city center and is known for its classic Andalusian cuisine based on seasonal dishes. Their artichokes in particular are the reason I returned again and again. I haven’t tasted them better anywhere else in the city. The artichokes are available grilled, fried and wrapped in serrano ham.
In addition, Mesón Mariano has classic tapas such as croquettes, padróns (fried green peppers), fried eggplant with honey, shrimp in garlic and goat cheese with fig marmalade.
You’ll get a truly local experience in the humble, traditionally Andalusian decorated rooms where the atmosphere is always top notch.
Mesón Mariano, C/ Granados 2
More travel tips for Málaga
Find tips for great experiences in Málaga. If you love museums, read the guide to overlooked museums in Málaga.
In the guide to cafes in Málaga, you’ll find tips on great cafes in Málaga where you can drink coffee, have breakfast, lunch and cake.
If you fancy a day trip out of Málaga, I recommend you visit the spectacular white village of Setenil de las Bodegas, built into the cliffs.
Alternatively, you can visit Nerja with the Balcony of Europe and the beautiful Frigiliana.
