Located on the southern tip of Spain, Malaga is an ancient city with gorgeous, historic architecture, and the birthplace of world-renowned artist Pablo Picasso. It is also a great holiday destination with a rich and competitive culinary scene that highlights Spanish and international gastronomy. Discover the best cultural restaurants in Malaga with our handpicked guide.
El Pimpi is a cultural landmark in Malaga and a definite must-try for all visitors exploring this southern destination. One of the city’s most famous restaurants, El Pimpi enjoys a truly unique location in an 18th century house, offering its guests traditional Spanish dishes in themed rooms, and on its large outdoor terrace that offers splendid views of the surrounding historical attractions. El Pimpi hosts many cultural events, including weekly flamenco nights, and has been visited by many artists who have left their autographs on the restaurant’s wine barrels, including the Picasso family and even Antonio Banderas.
Situated right next to the Cervantes Theater, the trendy Vino Mío is a modern restaurant opened in 2003 by a Dutch globetrotter who fell in love with sunny Malaga and decided to stay there. Winner of Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2013, Vino Mío organizes live flamenco performances every night while serving up its renowned traditional tapas. To complement the cultural cuisine, the restaurant also displays the creations of various artists such as Argentinean-born painter Alejander Hermann or sculptor Antonio Rico, and offers a tempting menu that includes pâté Picasso, black tagliatelle with marinated chicken, cod fillet and mango mousse or dark chocolate brownies for dessert.
Dlink is a refreshing option for eco-enthusiasts; this chic location features a menu based solely on organic and fresh products, in line with the restaurant’s guiding philosophy of sustainability. Situated in the centre of beautiful Malaga, Dlink is without a doubt an authentic culinary venue, attractive for both tourists and locals in search of something different. Offering good value for money, this small organic restaurant serves dishes such as carrot cream, grilled chicken salad, pumpkin and tomato salads, marinated salmon, vegetarian quesadillas or chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert.
Opened in 1998, Café con Libros is more of a bohemian attraction, a go-to place for those looking for a calm and quiet moment while reading a book and enjoying a wide choice of teas, coffees and cakes. With a charming ambiance created by its artsy and contemporary library-style decor, this small cafe is a memorable location, offering a vast collection of books and newspapers for guests to borrow. The light and refreshing menu complements the atmosphere with a variety of salads, spinach tarts, salty cheese crepes, local style sandwiches and tempting pancakes.
Amador is the perfect location for those in search of place to unwind and take in the surrounding views of the Mediterranean while enjoying a top culinary experience. Situated in a former Dutch colony – today the select neighborhood of El Atabal – Amador is one of the most renowned restaurants in Malaga and a winner of Trip Advisor’s 2013 Certificate of Excellence. Run by Chef Amador Fernández, this venue boasts a beautiful art collection, inviting its guests to choose from an appetizing array of international and Spanish dishes from the gourmet, à la carte and tasting menus.
Mixing past influences and modernity, Alumbre takes its name from the Spanish expression ‘a la lumbre’ that relates to the Andalusian family tradition of gathering around the fire, often a kitchen stove, to share thoughts and bond with loved ones. This popular Malaga restaurant aims to recreate and adapt this special space to current times because ‘the perfect accompaniment to any dish is an open heart that shares its warmth with others’. Alumbre’s focus on traditional elements is also visible in its original interior design, abundant in typical Andalusian embroidered shawls, and in its menu; guests can choose from home-made ice cream to slow-cooked dishes.
Considered to be the oldest tavern in Malaga, Antigua Casa de Guardia has remained an iconic landmark of the city ever since its opening in 1840, and a top attraction for those in search of a history lesson outside of the museum – in this case, along the many sherry barrels of a typical bodega. Needless to say, this is also the ultimate destination for wine enthusiasts, who get to taste a top selection of the best Spanish wines. An accompaniment in the form of perfectly matched cheeses, salads or tapas is a must here.
This is a mandatory stop for those in love with Spanish cuisine and its typical tapas. One of the most famous restaurants in Malaga, El Mesón de Cervantes excels in serving a great variety of tapas – fish and seafood, meat or vegetarian – and has a strong reputation for being one of the best places in town to serve this type of dish. Its menu also features other tempting recipes such as grilled red tuna with cauliflower purée, risotto of pumpkin and mushrooms and exotic desserts like fig flan of sweet Malaga wine.
Enjoying a great location in the small but impressive Plaza del Obispo, L’Experience is well worth a visit, as this modern restaurant offers a splendid view over the iconic Cathedral of Malaga. Its location creates a unique and memorable atmosphere, complemented by fine service and great value for money. The menu lists many Spanish recipes and it might be difficult to choose just one or two dishes. Highlights include homemade croquettes with spinach and pine nuts, tapas with Iberian pork tenderloin and salmon or slithers of fillet with caper cream sauce.
Located in the very center of the city and just a few steps away from the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, La Plaza is no doubt one of the preferred choices for tourists visiting Malaga. A winner of Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2013, the restaurant is renowned not only for its cozy atmosphere, but also for its international cuisine that gives visitors a wide array of culinary choices. From local tapas to European, Middle Eastern or Asian dishes, La Plaza creates a fusion of tastes and ingredients, including vegetarian options.
