Special, crowded, full of fresh fish and delicious fried food, where you can eat spectacular rice dishes with unbeatable views of the sea… The list of beach bars in Malaga is as extensive as few others. And the list of beach bars in the province is (almost) endless.
With more than 325 days of sunshine a year, the Costa del Sol, in Malaga, is summer beyond summer. And these beachfront establishments, or right on the sand, are the best proof of this.
At Yellowcar we have selected some of the best beach bars in Malaga, ranging from Manilva to Nerja along its 150km of coastline. With options for all budgets, and with a common denominator: the desire to eat a good grilled sardines in front of the sea. Dish goes!
The best beach bars in Malaga city
El Cabra (Málaga)
In Malaga, El Cabra is an institution when it comes to beach bars.
Founded in 1965, the truth is that if you want to try one of the best espetos in Malaga, you can’t leave without stopping by El Cabra Restaurant. One of the most traditional beach bars in the city and with a very good value for money in fish such as sea bass, prawns, gilthead bream, fried fish, etc. as well as rice and meat dishes. And take a look at their lemon tart: finger-licking good.
- Address: https://g.page/elcabrarestaurante?share Paseo Marítimo el Pedregal, 17, Málaga.
Los Espigones (Málaga)
The Beach Bar Espigones, in Malaga, is a neighbour of El Cabra on the promenade of El Pedregal.
What are its specialities? Spiced squid, fried prawns, grilled octopus leg, prawn croquettes with pil-pil or shrimps, red mullet, tiger mussels… Flavour and tradition are perfectly combined in this place. The price is a little more expensive than the usual beach bars in Malaga, but it is well worth it.
- Dirección: Paseo Marítimo El Pedregal, 50. https://goo.gl/maps/Mk9TMVxXSi6Rjirh7
El Tintero (Málaga)
El Tintero Restaurant, in Malaga, has been historically and by far the most famous beach bar in the city, the province, Andalusia and possibly Spain.
Why is it so famous? What’s so special about it? Well, the dishes are auctioned. That is to say, the waiters, perfect salesmen, pass by with the portions and you, on their recommendation and with your eye, choose what you want. In addition, the final ‘fine’, another hallmark of the house, is also a reason for fame: years ago, the floor was made of sand. And the customers took advantage of this to hide their plates. Why? Because you pay according to how many plates you have taken. Today, concrete has put an end to this curious ‘tradition’.
However, the place is in great demand and they don’t keep tables. For this reason, we recommend you go before rush hour, around 13:30, so you don’t have to wait in line to get a table.
- Address: Avenida Salvador Allende, 340. https://goo.gl/maps/2rrvjxFGf8uktJUY9
What other beach bars in Malaga are worth mentioning? We’d go for Maricarmen Casa Playa, where there’s no shortage of homemade food; the fabulous El Balneario – Baños del Carmen, with spectacular terraces for a drink; the century-old Merendero de Antonio Marín; Chiringuito Tropicana, in La Malagueta; Chiringuito María, between Huelin and Sacaba Beach, and El Caleño, in El Palo.
The best beach bars in western Malaga
Restaurante el Parador (Benalmádena)
One of the most famous and frequented beach bars in Malaga on the Costa del Sol is Restaurante el Parador, in Benalmádena.
With more than half a century behind it, and next to the Hotel Playa Bonita, its typical fish dishes are combined with other very suggestive and different dishes, such as prawns in sashimi with warm juice from their heads and cut stick, Galician-style octopus salad, arroz a banda, white prawn tartar with goat juice, Amélie oysters…
- Address: Ctra. Cádiz, 131. Benalmádena, https://g.page/restauranteelparador2?share
Without leaving Benalmádena, you will also find other excellent options such as the Chiringuito la Viborilla or the exotic La Cubana.
Los Marinos Paco (Fuengirola)
If we at YellowCar had to choose the restaurant where you can eat the best fish in Malaga, our choice would probably be Restaurante los Marinos Paco. Undoubtedly, a chiringuito more focused on the pure and simple product, to prepare it in the best possible way.
Exquisiteness and top quality and with freshness as a flag: they even have their own fishing boat. If you want to treat yourself to a full-fledged tribute with seafood as a witness and a party, this is the place for you.
- Address: Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, 158, Fuengirola. https://goo.gl/maps/dfBqSK6Be4ihrPMm9
In Torremolinos, the Canarias and the Chiringuito Los Manueles must be mentioned, as well as La Escollera and Sonora Beach in Estepona.
The best beach bars in Marbella
After choosing to rent a car in Malaga with us, we provide the most complete service to make your experience and your visit to the Costa del Sol a pleasant one. And in this service, we also like to recommend places to eat in Marbella, a city that we know perfectly as it is where our offices are located.
In this summer temple, we undoubtedly highlight three places: Puente Romano, a beach bar of the highest quality and elegance that is open every day and at all hours, for breakfast, lunch and dinner; La Milla Gastro Beach, a place right on the sand, whose market cuisine is based on the fish market of the day; and the Chiringuito Aquí Te Quiero Ver, founded in 1977 and with some seasonal specials that take your breath away, such as tuna from Barbate, flavoured salmon, anchovies or boquerones.
The best beach bars in eastern Malaga
Marina Playa (Rincón de la Victoria)
We go off the beaten track of Malaga city’s beach bars… but not too far. Just 10 minutes away by car, we will arrive at the Chiringuito Marina Playa, located on the beach of Torre de Benagalbón in Rincón de la Victoria. Another place where you can eat very well and it is ideal to spend the whole day, as they have a cocktail terrace and sunbeds. Sole, turbot, snapper, rice and meat dishes are waiting for you.
- Address: https://g.page/chiringuitomarinaplaya?share
Continuing along the coast towards Nerja, another of the highlights is Avante Claro, a classic beach bar on the beaches of La Cala del Moral; Nuevo Varadero, also in La Cala del Moral, well known by all the locals and rinconeros; or Casa Kiko, in Rincón de la Victoria, which we have already told you is always very full – for a reason.
In Benajarafe, La Plata Casa Matilde shines with its own light, considered by many to be one of the best chiringuitos on the coast of Málaga.
In Torre del Mar, the Chiringuito Varela, founded in 1963, stands out, and finally, we could not forget it: the Ayo, installed in the famous Burriana Beach in Nerja for more than 50 years. Paella is their most popular dish, prepared in a giant paella pan on a wood fire. This place is well known for being featured in the TV series Verano Azul. Take advantage of your route through Malaga by car and take a picture on the legendary Chanquete’s boat!