My favourite restaurant on the Costa del Sol
My favourite restaurant on Costa del Sol: Much of the pleasure, if you own an apartment on the Costa del Sol, is that you can go out almost every day and eat at all these countless restaurants that are available.
It does’t cost too much neither, like at home in Sweden or Norway, for example! The selection is incredibly large. It is difficult to know which place to choose to get good food and service at affordable prices.
One of my pearls on the coast is called Lucena II and is a stone’s throw from the sea in Torremuelle, Benalmadena. For those of you who have, or are planning to buy holiday homes in the Mijas-Costa, Fuengirola or Benalmadena area, it can be a nice little excursion to visit this lovely place.
Here you will find fantastic dishes from Andalusia. As for example, fresh “almejas” – small clams in wine and garlic sauce, “calamares” – fried squid rings, “lubina” freshly caught bass. Of course there is also Paella in several different ways.
In my opinion, Lucena II offers one of the coast’s best “Gambas al pil-pil”. Shrimps cooked in olive oil with lots of garlic, paprika powder and chili. Shrimp caught in the sea off Cadiz and Huelva, which are the ones used advantageously in this dish, have a more intense flavour and “crunchier” consistency than our Nordic shrimp.
“Pez espada”, swordfish is one of these main dishes that I only have to eat at least once a month! This can be served with “patatas a lo pobre”. A delicious side plate consisting of sliced potatoes, onions and peppers. Cooked in the oven with garlic, parsley and olive oil. So simple but still supremely good!
Wines
In my opinion it is never wrong with a glass of Viñasol with this meal, as it is a dry wine. This is actually not a local wine, since the Andalusian wines are of the sweeter kind. (Viñasol comes from Catalonia from the famous wine cellar Torres.)
Parking at Lucena II is easy. But if you do not have a car but have invested in a home near public transport, you can also get there by bus and train from Malaga, Benalmadena or Fuengirola. (stop at Torremuelle).
You can also visit Lucena I, the sister restaurant on the Benalmadena boardwalk. This was actually the first of the two that opened over 40 years ago. Many of the chefs and waiters have been working at the restaurants throughout their professional lives. And their sons and daughters are now starting to take over. This obviously gives the restaurants a wonderful family feel. I can promise that every time you visit the restaurants it feels a bit like coming home and enjoying a good meal.
Although these restaurants are not the “cheapest” options on the coast, they are still quite affordable. The atmosphere, the food and the fantastic service make it a place we look forward to visiting as often as we can. And it’s worth every penny!
My favourite restaurant on the Costa del Sol, by Jennifer Clarke
Davids Favourite Restaurant
I have experienced many good restaurants on the Costa del Sol, mainly through events and celebrations with my job. Many of them glitzy with fine wines and “nouvelle cuisine”, leaving you wanting a McDonalds once you have left! It’s been great to have dined in such places, but when it comes to somewhere homely that takes me back to my humble beginnings here on the Costa del Sol, my favourite would be:
Restaurante Lanjaron in the old town in Torremolinos
If you own a property in Calahonda or Mijas Costa in general, and you fancy a change, it’s just a twenty minutes drive heading towards the airport and the exit is clearly signposted.
Set amongst white washed walls and narrow streets with colourful hanging plant pots, you really feel that you are in Spain from a couple of generations ago.
Traditional Spanish cooking from the “ Menu del Dia “, a three course meal with starter, main course, dessert, bread and your drink (alcoholic or none alcoholic) for just 8 Euros! If you really want to splash out you can go “A La Carte“ with main courses starting from around 12 Euros.
My personal favourite is the shoulder of lamb. It comes out of the oven moist in it’s own juices and accompanied by baked baby potatoes. The meat literally falls off the bone. Other house specialities include “potaje”, which is a meat, veg and potato stew. “Carne a la piedra”, which is a steak that cooks on hot stones at your table or if you fancy a bit of fish try the “Gambas Pil Pil”, which are sizzling spicy prawns with chili and garlic or why not try grilled swordfish or Octopus Galician style.
Once you’re all done, Antonio will leave you a bottle of his home made “Orujo” at the table to sample at your own leisure. This comes on the house and is a herb based alcoholic digestive liquor.
So if you want to try good authentic Spanish food in a place frequented by local people in traditional surroundings then you won’t go wrong here and you certainly won’t be heading for the nearest McDonald’s afterwards!
A hidden gem, by Natalia
In the area known as Bonanza in Arroyo de la Miel, on Calle San Francisco Nº 4 you will find the OK restaurant. It is a little hidden but its quality is supreme.
The founder Antonio and his family moved from Burgos to Benalmádena and opened the restaurant almost four decades ago. Its lamb legs, steaks and the famous blood sausage is brought from the north, since their menu is based on that type of food. My favourite is the beef tenderloin that is grilled over open fire, with option of having it served with different sauces (pepper, Roquefort, etc.). The spinach cream is complementary and the whole family’s favourite is the home made pate. Their Alaska flambé tart is a classic and all this accompanied by of a good wine from Ribera del Duero D.O or Castilla y León. But this is only some of the deliciousness served. They also have options according to the season, and of course they serve fish and some varieties of seafood. Their curried prawns are amongst the best dishes I have tried.
The atmosphere is exceptional. They always greet you with a smile and they always make you feel like family. To be honest it is not the cheapest restaurant on the coast but the quality is high. An average cost would be around 30 euros per person but it is worth every penny. My family and friends have it as a benchmark for celebrations. In winter you can dine by the fireplace with the smell of homemade food made with passion. In summer you have the option of having lunch or dinner on their terrace surrounded by vines. It truly makes you feel as dining in a vineyard on the Costa del Sol.
Today the restaurant is run by Antonio’s daughter and her husband. The restaurant still has that family charm though the food could easily belong to a 5-fork restaurant.
If you are on the coast and you want to try a new restaurant but with its traditional charm do not hesitate. Call for reservation: +34 673 39 19 96
My favourite restaurant, by Alex
There a lot of nice places to live but for me Costa del Sol is truly the best one. If not in the whole world well definitely in Europe! This place has literally everything, amazing people famous by their hospitality, history that goes back to the ancient times, fantastic climate, culture, wonderful cuisine and all possible leisure facilities but also offer high level of living.
Everyone can find their own favourite spot here, to enjoy life! I definitely found my own one in Mijas Costa, between Fuengirola and Calahonda! It is a very convenient area with good beaches and close to the airport and everything that you need for a comfortable life!
I would like to share my life favourites with you, things and places in the area that make my life on Costa Del Sol happy and complete! Who knows, maybe some of my favourites will also make your life a little bit happier?!
Restaurants
Food is surely one of the most important parts of our lives, so let me say a few words about my favourite local restaurants.
Costa Del Sol was always famous by the beach restaurants with their fresh fish and seafood. Most of them are very good but one of the best ones for me is “Los Marinos Jose”! This family restaurant, with more than 30 years of history, is one of a kind! They even have their own fishing boat which they take out everyday to make sure their customers always get fresh fish and seafood. They also offer a great variety of wines from different regions in Spain.
“Los Marinos Jose”
This restaurant is located at the very end of the “Paseo Maritimo”, the beach promenade of Fuengirola (Benalmadena direction). It is very easy to find so if you are in Fuengirola, don’t miss the opportunity to sit right next to the beach with great and attentive service and of course delicious food! Why not try one of their specialities, “pescado a la sal” (fish baked in salt) and of course “sopa de marisco” as a starter. They also have a full variety of the seafood in the menu!
Prices are reasonable, fresh fish from 4€-5€ per 100gr, seafood soup around 8€.
“Restaurante Las Llaves”
When you are in the “meat mood”, go to “Las Llaves Restaurant” in Torrenueva, you wont be disappointed! Price and quality guaranteed! Here they offer you a full variety of meat. One of my favourite is their juicy and crispy roast piglet and after their famous dessert “fresas con pimienta”!
There is also a big choice of famous Spanish red wines that will make a great company to your meal. I recommend you to try the local Andalusian red wine from the Ronda wineries.
This restaurant is perfect to dine enjoying their cosy and warm atmosphere. It is not that expensive. Prices are around 30€ per person plus drinks. Conveniently located in the urbanisation Torrenueva, close to the motorway and next to “El Bombo” beach, on the Avda. De Rota 4. It is very easy to find.
“Da Vinci”
On the Costa del Sol you can find restaurants with cuisine from all over the world and of course one of the most popular is the Italian! If you are a fan of pasta, pizza or risotto, you have to visit my favourite Italian restaurant in the area “Da Vinci”. Whatever food you choose, it’s just yummy! :).
Freshly made pizzas in the authentic oven is absolutely great! The prices here are very reasonable, pizzas are between 8€-11€, pasta 12€-13€, main courses 13€-17€ and desserts 4.5€-5.5€ (You have to try their “Banaba Split”!). This restaurant is also very conveniently situated, on the beach side of Calahonda right next to the entrance to Doña Lola Resort, easily seen from the A7 motorway.
My favourite restaurants, by Pascal
Pura Sangre, in La Cala de Mijas. A typical Spanish restaurant with delicious fish and meat dishes. The starters and desserts are certainly worth it. The chef regularly changes the menu so that there are usually seasonal dishes on the menu.
I can recommend both the steak and the leg of lamb! I have ordered this several times and it is great every time. For dessert I usually order the creme bruleé.
The wine list is quite extensive so you can actually make it as expensive as you want. And afterwards another Limoncello!
Prices are reasonable for what you get. About 10€ for a starter, 20€ to 25€ for a main course and 7€ for a dessert. Reasonable to good wines, from 20€.
Casa Colon in Fuengirola, Spanish tapas to share with friends! Nice atmosphere in the centre of Fuengirola. Make sure you are not in a hurry because you cannot make a reservation! Great food and people, watching over a small square in the centre and near the beach promenade. Order various dishes such as “gambas Pil-Pil”, a must is the black spaghetti with mushrooms and prawns and certainly the stuffed omelette with salmon and prawns. A bottle of chilled white Viñasol or rosé Pinot Grigio completes the party! All in all a delicious meal for about 25 to 30€ per person (depending on the amount of alcoholic refreshments after eating!)
Da Bruno in Cabopino: Great atmosphere guaranteed at Da Bruno in Cabopino! Mainly Italian dishes but also options for meat, fish or salads. Delicious lasagne or “Pizza Da Bruno” as a main course. Outside the menu we usually take “bufalo mozarella” with “jamon serrano” and avocado as starter! (you have to ask for it). And for dessert everything is really nice, but my daughter thinks the Meringue is by far the winner. For an “Italian” it is at its price. Count on about 50€ per person for 3 courses and some drinks.
My favourite restaurant, by Leon
Living in Mijas Costa and not knowing the Royal Beach Calahonda is almost a sin. This is a pirate-themed restaurant / beach bar, open practically all year except for a couple of months in the winter.
They have a very varied and international menu where you can enjoy the fried fish and “espetos” typical of the area or taste a more sophisticated dish than you would expect to find in a more luxurious restaurant.
Do not be fooled by the appearance, the value is in the personal treat and in the quality of the food. Prices are in line with quality and for a family of four you can easily have lunch or dinner for less than 90€, drinks and wine included.
They have a terrace with a chill out area next to the beach to sunbathe and enjoy an aperitif. The beach is not very crowded and it is like having a small oasis of relaxation and fun on the Costa del Sol.
If you are planning to buy a home in Calahonda, I advise you to have a drink at this bar while you are finally convinced.
My favourite restaurant, by Virginia
To choose a favourite restaurant in one of the busiest touristic beach coasts, the Costa del Sol, is almost like finding Wally in “Where’s Wally” children’s book! To choose between thousands of restaurants, types of cuisines, locations and style’s is too broad of a choice on this coast. However, after 8 years residing from San Pedro de Alcántara to La Cala de Mijas, by far Elviria has the best options, whether it is inland or on the beach.
Ristorante San Martino, in the heart of Elviria’s busiest squares, is really too good to be true! Away from Marbellas noise this restaurant is by far, in elegance, charm, character, exclusivity and exquisite food, a must. An elegant dinner with family, friends, first dates, work colleagues, anything to do with dressing up to the occasion to dine with excellent Italian design and food.
As for prices, it can vary from approx. 50€ for a main course and a glass of wine, to as far as your appetite can take you. Anything to do with seafood and meat, they master. For example “Pasta Frutti di Mare” and the “Tagliata di Manzo” are mouth watering. As for wine, they have very exclusive varieties. They are also associated with Birdie Vinos SL, their partner in providing wine to local restaurants.
Parties and restaurants on the beach! You have the famous “Marbella Beach Party”, from “Nikki Beach” to the “Beach House”. This is an area with a very international and commercial ambience. For a person like me, that always wants to help and give my best opinion to those who wants to invest in Costa del Sol, my absolute preference above all is La Plage Casanis. There are no words to describe it. The food, the music, accommodation, attention, service, price and quality, exclusivity and privacy, above all it is my favourite.
Jeremy’s favourite restaurant
This could be a long blog as I love food! It is very difficult to single out one restaurant and say that is the best. So many offer so much, and variety is important, to keep on discovering new flavours, styles, combinations is the quest! So distracting me from the villas, urbanisation’s or penthouses, nothing rivals food!
Where I feel most relaxed is at my favourite beach in Bolonia. When we visit this beach we always stay in Tarifa and our favourite restaurant here is Silos 19 a hive of activity and bastion of style.
Set in the heart of Tarifa just off the old city gate, it is always busy. A testament to the qualities and ingenuity of the team that steer it. Tarifa is a very busy place in summer and best off season, just before or just after peak summer.
The menu is fresh and updates daily and draws heavily on its surroundings, so all is fresh and the attention to detail is exquisite. From the first minute you enter you are made very aware you are the centre of attention and they will put every effort into your experience in the restaurant.
The first time I went it was lunch and busy, they made room for us with no fuss and it was really good. Combinations of flavours, presentation and the general ambience was above an beyond all I had tried previously.
The decor and staff make this place so special, all of them have a black t-shirt with “kema culo” written on them, translated it means “hot ass”! This is a reference to delicious spicy pepper sauce locally produced and prevalent in pretty much every establishment.
