A few great places to eat and drink in Malaga, updated 2026

Malaga is our happy place.

Located on the Andalucian coast in the south of Spain, it’s got everything we look for in a holiday destination. There’s amazing food, cracking wine and beer, sunny weather most of the year, regular flights from Cardiff and Bristol, stunning architecture and well-priced city centre hotels.

Since first visiting in 2014, we’ve been back at least half a dozen times. And if Mrs G had her way, we’d be going there on a mini break every year. 

Malaga is also great city to see on foot, which is handy as it helps us to work off a croqueta or two. 

As well as the more obvious tourist sights of the Cathedral, Roman theatre and Alcazaba (the Moorish castle), we love visiting La Concepción Historical Botanical Garden, a green oasis on the fringe of the city, and the Rio Guadalhorce Nature Reserve, where you can see wild flamingos and black-winged stilts. 

But, back to the main reason you’re here, Malaga’s food and drink scene.

There are so many places to eat and drink in the city that we still feel like we've barely scratched the surface. Every time we visit, we return to our old favourites and try to check out a few new places as well. Here's where we'd recommend, ordered very loosely by how highly we rate them.

Note - I’ve added the year of our most recent visit in brackets to provide an indication of how up to date our recommendation is. 

Taberna Uvedoble (2026)

Calle Alcazabilla, 1, 29015 Málaga

Taberna Uvedoble is the top spot on our ‘to guzzle list’ whenever we visit Malaga. They serve some of the most creative, good value and flavour-packed cooking that we've had in the city.

Squid ink vermicelli is as moreish as it gets. This bowl of toothsome noodles has a lovely umami fish stock intensity and is adorned with tender baby squid and potent alioli.

Their ensalada is one of the best around. It’s essentially a bowl of tuna mayo flecked with a few spuds and topped with sweet prawn. Their truffle scented oozy tortilla, jamon croquetas and oxtail meatballs are exemplary too.

Meson Iberico (2026)

Calle San Lorenzo, 27, 29001 Málaga

Situated on a side street in Soho, a little bit away from the crowds, this traditional restaurant and tapas bar is permanently busy. I’d strongly recommend queuing up a good fifteen minutes before they open if you want to snag one of their coveted seats in the bar.

Highlights always include their lovely riff on an ensalada rusa flecked with pieces of plump sweet prawn.

Their oxtail croquetas are loaded with intensely beefy bechamel.

 Ruby red slices of jamon iberico de bellota melt in the mouth and have a lovely intensity of flavour.

And, if you ask for dessert, and request the profiteroles, then the chances are they’ll bring you a complimentary plate of dinky, sticky glazed choux buns.  

El Cortijo de Pepe (2026)

Plaza de la Merced, 2, 29012 Málaga

The logo of a man chasing a pig at this old skool tapas bar feels rather fitting. Char-licked chorizo de Ardales and cumin-spiced pinchitos morunos, both of which are cooked over their open grill, are a pair of porky tapas which need chasing down.

Their crisp yet tender pulpo a la brasa, which is also finished over the flames, is served on top of soft buttery spuds and peppers.

El Carpintero (2026)

Calle Beatas, 32, 29008 Málaga

El Carpintero is such a mood. Surrounded by religious iconography, it certainly ramps up the guilt you feel when guzzling the indulgent snacks at this great value back street tapas bar. 

On numerous visits, we’ve worked our way through hulking pieces of chorizo, spiced liver morcilla, light textured salt cod fritters, aged manchego, sweet langoustine pinchos and excellent earthy mushroom croquetas.

La Cosmo (2024)

Calle Císter, 11, 29015 Málaga

Since the sad closure of Dani Carnero’s La Cosmopolita in October 2025, its younger sibling is the place to head for elevated Andalucian cooking that delivers both style and substance.

A riff on a gilda, the iconic pintxo inspired by actress Rita Hayworth, adds sweet roast tomatoes and fatty tuna belly into the mix whilst an ensalada is zhushed up with soft mashed potato and meaty flakes of hake.

But, the star of the show is their uniquely delicious, creamy corn flan – each mouthful reminds me of both popcorn and corn tortillas whilst a corn crumb adds extra crunch. It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s one of my favourite desserts in the world.

Birras Deluxe (2026)

Plaza de la Merced, 5, Distrito Centro, 29012 Málaga

There’s a vast array of Spanish and international craft beers crammed into the fridges at this exceptionally friendly bar. Over multiple visits we’ve enjoyed Spanish wild beers from local brewery Attik and Barcelona’s Cyclic Beer Farm as well as beers on tap from Basqueland. 

Their oxtail croquetas make for an excellent bar snack too. 

On our most recent trip in 2026, we also visited El Rincon Del Cervecero in Soho and enjoyed some of their delicious in-house brewed beers. They throw in free snacks with every drink, which is a nice bonus too. 

Gastroteca Can Emma (2026)

Calle Ruiz Blaser, 2, Málaga-Este, 29016 Málaga

This little neighbourhood restaurant in Malagueta does a cracking value three course set lunch menu with drinks. On previous visits we’ve enjoyed dishes like arroz with chicken and chorizo, hake with soft spuds, and a wobbly flan with dulce de leche.

But this time around, I ordered their arroz mar y monte for the first time, and I regret not ordering every previous visit. Rich and savoury, with a textbook crisp soccarat, and laden with pork squid and giant sweet langoustines, it was one hell of a rice dish. 

We also hugely enjoyed crisp-battered lamb sweetbreads coated in a glossy meat reduction, sweet confit leeks with fatty tuna belly, ensaladilla rusa with the freshness of apple, and dinky jamon croquetas.

Casa Mira (2026)

Calle Marqués de Larios, 5, 29015 Málaga, Spain

There are big queues in the evening at this first-class ice cream parlour but it seems to be a lot quieter in the daytime. Take a ticket from the dispenser and wait for your number to be called.

We particularly enjoy their boozy Malaga flavour made with the province’s sweet dessert wine dotted with soft raisins. Their ice cold and cinnamon spiced horchata is a refreshing yet indulgent drink too.

Meson Astur (2026)

This Asturian outpost in Malaga city centre is tucked away in a back street so it’s often a fair bit less busy than some of the more touristy spots.

A bottle of sharp and funky natural Trabanco natural cider is an essential order and it’s fun to try and pour it from a height to aerate it like the skilled barmen.

On the snack front, highlights include a comforting bowl of fabada asturiana, a bean and pork stew, as well as super salty and funky Cabrales blue cheese. Their cider is also put to good use as a poaching liquor for a plate of chorizo. 

La Nora (2026)

Calle Gerona, 9, Cruz de Humilladero, 29006 Málaga

The sandwiches from La Nora were our favourite new find from 2026’s trip to Malaga. This cafe near Maria Zambrano train station specialises in colossal pitufos (breakfast rolls), is packed with locals, and is only open for breakfast and a few hours after lunch.

Their pitufo de la casa saw a crisp-toasted bread roll filled with layers and layers of juicy roast pork, a thin slice of melted cheese and a smear of potent alioli. We also had a tortilla pitufo, the main component of which was pleasingly soft with a delicate onion sweetness.

Both sandwiches combined quantity and quality, with neither at the expense of the other. And, remarkably, two sandwiches and two drinks cost us just over €11.

La Cheesequería (2024), Bassk Cheesecakers (2026) and La Tarta de la Madre de Cris (2024)

Calle Carretería, 44, Distrito Centro, 29008 Málaga, Calle Especeria 3, Distrito Centro, 29005 Malaga and Calle Granada, 56, Distrito Centro, 29015 Málaga

If toasty and tangy Basque cheesecake is your bag then you should make a beeline for La Tarte de la Madre de Cris or Bassk Cheesecakers. They’re both delicious. 

 

However, if you’re looking for something a little bit different then La Cheesequeria is another excellent shout. Their payoyo goat and sheep milk cheesecake has a complex, tangy and slightly salty thing going on. It was every bit as oozy and silky smooth as it looks.

Taberna Alaska (2024)

Calle Reboul, 37, Carretera de Cádiz, 29006 Málaga

With a few branches dotted around the suburbs of the city, Taberna Alaska serve excellent fish-focused tapas. Killer langoustine skewers, slathered in herby oil, are the highlight. We’ve also really enjoyed super crisp fried boquerones and a smoky pepper salad.

Chiringuito Nuevo Mediterraneo (2026)

Paseo Marítimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 29016, Málaga

Dotted along the seafront of the city, chiringuitos specialise in fish cooked over charcoal and are lovely spot to dine al fresco.

They all seem to compete over who serves the cheapest sardine skewer. It's five euros at Chiringuito Nuevo Mediterraneo (by no means the cheapest) but it still feels rude to not order two portions at this price. With their soft flesh, salt-crusted skin and a squeeze of lemon juice, they’re an essential order on every trip to Malaga.

La Barria Inka (2026)

Plaza María Guerrero, 5, Distrito Centro, 29012 Málaga

Whenever we crave a bit of spice and respite from the deep-fried stuff, we head to La Barria Inka for their Peruvian cooking. 

Their white fish ceviche is excellent, with buckets of fresh fish, texture contrast, and a marinade which zings with citrus and spice.

Silky pisco sours go down the hatch far too easily too.

Hamburguesería Asador Padilla (2026)

Avenue del Dr. Marañón, 47, Palma-Palmilla, 29009 Málaga

If you’re in the mood for roast chicken then you can have one hell of a feed for two here at Hamburgeseria Asador Padilla for just over 20 euros. For this poultry sum (badoom tish) you’ll bag yourself a whole golden-skinned rotisserie chicken, paprika dusted crispy potatoes, fresh salad, crusty bread and fresh beers.

Ryma’s Gastrobar (2024)

Calle las Navas, 24, Carretera de Cádiz, 29002 Málaga

An enthralling picture of Ryma’s patatas bravas on social media led us to make the 40-minute walk out of the city centre to their home in Carretera de Cádiz.

It was well worth the walk as they’re some of the best patatas bravas we’ve ever eaten. Hyper crisp thinly sliced golden potato stacks (like Quality Chop House) are served alongside a smoky bravas sauce and a savoury mushroom mayo. It’s the ultimate finger food.

This gastrobar also specialises in arroz dishes and soupy rice with lobster is the house speciality. However, we had a deliciously meaty arroz seco with nuggets of iberico pork, slices of jamon, and fat schnubbins of smoky chistorra.

Anyway Wine Bar (2026)

Paseo de la Farola 8, Málaga-Este, 29016 Málaga

Owen Morgan from Bar 44 told us that Anyway wine bar has one of the best lists in Malaga - I can see why. With over 200 bottles in their selection and a big range by the glass, everything we tried was delicious, including a Ronda garnacha and a Catalonian blend of syrah and garnacha. 

On the snack front, Jamon iberico de bellota was a little dry around the edges but we really enjoyed a plate of well-matured Granja Maravillas cheese. If you’re looking for other wine bars in the city to try, then we’ve also previously enjoyed visits to Vertical (2022) and Los Patios de Beatas (2022). 

La Guacamole (2026)

Calle Cárcer, 1, 29008 Málaga

The margaritas served at this Mexican bar are worth the visit alone - served with a salty, citrusy and spicy Tajin rim and poured at the table into a glassful crushed ice, they're just the ticket on a balmy night.

Homemade nachos and guacamole are an excellent snack to accompany them too. 

There are plenty of other tasty spots to get tasty Mexican food in the city. We’ve previously enjoyed fiery tacos al pastor from Nina Bonita Cantina (2022) and a bargainous €1 version from Los Tacos (2022).

In 2024 we enjoyed a visit to Alebrije, which is located en route back from the botanic gardens. A giant platter of eight tacos, tortillas, guacamole, and two beers set us back a mere €23.

La Tranca (2022), Bodegas Tranca (2024) and Colmado 93 (2024)

Calle Carretería, 92, 29008 Málaga

La Tranca is a dive bar that oozes charm with its retro record sleeve-adorned walls and singalong playlist. However, it always seems rammed whenever we walk past, meaning it can be a challenge to elbow your way to the bar.

Due to their popularity, La Tranca opened a smaller offshoot, Bodegas Tranca, which is located just around the corner. Here you can enjoy vermouth and Malaga sweet wine poured straight from the barrel. 

Colmado 93, which is another buzzing bar where you enjoy barrel-poured booze, is also located just a few yards away.

Antigua Casa de Guardia (2026)

Alameda Principal 18, Distrito Centro, 29005 Málaga

Dating back to 1840, Antigua Casa de Guardia is Malaga’s oldest and arguably most famous wine bar. Known for serving locally produced fortified and sweet wines which are poured directly from giant wooden casks, we enjoyed glasses of spiced vermouth served over ice. 

Whilst we were there, a few influencers were also gathering content for social media – it was disheartening to see them abandon their drinks as soon as they’d finished taking their pictures. 

Casa Aranda (2024)

Calle Herrería del Rey, 2, 29005 Málaga

If you’re looking for churros then this traditional café is the place to head. Served piping hot from the fryer with a mug of thick hot chocolate, they’re a real treat.

Er Pichi de Cai (2026)

Calle Trinidad Grund 8, Distrito Centro, 29001 Málaga

Bringing the flavours of Cadiz to Malaga, Er Pichi de Cai has four branches across the city. Their whopping tortillas de camarones are big enough to share between two - crisp and packed with shrimp they’re very good, if a little bit greasy. 

We also really enjoyed impeccably tender pulpo a la brasa with a lovely paprika smokiness and a chickpea and prawn stew with an excellent shellfish depth of flavour.

El Capricho (2026)

Mercado de Atarazanas, Centro, 29005 Málaga

Whilst La Nora holds the title of our favourite sandwich in Malaga, we also very much enjoyed the pork shoulder bocadillo from El Capricho in Atarazanas Market. 

Well stuffed with super juicy and salty pork with nuggets of first-rate crackling, it’s a great value breakfast or lunch for six euros. 

Bolo (2024)

Calle Madre de Dios, 41, Distrito Centro, 29012 Málaga

Bolo is a lovely little kiosk which serves excellent coffee and bolo do caco. These super soft and squishy Portuguese bread rolls are cooked daily on their hotplate and served slathered with either garlic butter or peanut butter and jam. They really remind me of a stottie, so of course I’m a big fan.

Bar Flor (2026)

Paseo Reding 14, Málaga-Este, 29016 Málaga

A good tortilla is one of my all-time favourite Spanish dishes and the fine example from Bar Flor in Malagueta has been hiding in plain sight around the corner from our usual hotel for years. At this bustling locals’ café-bar, it's served warm with plenty of sweet, caramelised onions flecked through it. Salt cod fritters and fresh salads at lunchtime all hit the mark too.

Bar Malaga (2026)

Calle Santa María 4, Distrito Centro, 29015 Málaga

I’m always on the hunt for a good place of berenjenas con miel and those from the traditional Bar Malaga were excellent. We thought their gambas pil-pil were solid too. 

Central Beers (2022)

Calle Cárcer, 6, 29008 Málaga

This craft beer bar really captures an American vibe but there are plenty of great Spanish craft beers on tap from breweries like Basqueland and Peninsula.

Their burgers kick ass too. An American combines a sturdy soft-crumbed bun with a seriously juicy and well-flavoured pink patty, crispy bacon, oozy cheese and barbecue sauce.

Bugio (2026)

Calle Carretería, 52, Distrito Centro, 29008 Málaga

Bugio has more of a trendy vibe than our usual trad tapas haunts. But we thought their tapas were pretty good. The standout was their tuna “tacos”, which were big flavoured and a little bit filthy. Soy glazed tuna tartare and chilli mayo were sat on a crisp and slightly greasy tortilla de camarones base.

Freshly fried torreznos were nice and crisp but their accompanying guacamole tasted suspiciously bought-in. A solid ensaladilla rusa won't trouble the city's best but we really like the addition of chopped guindillas.

Places to stay

We’ve had excellent stays at H10 Croma Málaga and Hotel Molina Lario, both of which have rooftop pools. But our favourite place to stay is the regal Gran Hotel Miramar, which overlooks Malagueta beach and has a big pool area where you can sleep off all that food and drink.