Restaurants in Marbella
Marbella boasts of so many restaurants and smaller eateries - from Michelin starred restaurants to cosy tapas bars - that you will be spoilt for choice.
Here are some of our favourites:
Michelin Star Restaurants:
Restaurante El Lago - Situated in the beautiful backdrop of Greenlife Golf, Elviria Hills, this restaurant was awarded a Michelin Star in 2005. Once a year the restaurant organises a week that showcases the latest trends of the most interesting cuisine of the moment, inviting some of Spain's best chefs to cook at their restaurant.
Restaurante Calima - Dani García's restaurant is Marbella's answer to Heston Blumenthal and Ferrán Adría. Truly innovative cuisine - including the use of liquid nitrogen at the table - that is firmly based on traditional Andalusian dishes. (Calima's website is available in Spanish only.)
Restaurante Skina - The latest Marbella restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star, Skina is a tiny restaurant tucked away in the heart of Marbella's old town. Rapidly becoming one of Marbella's most popular venues, so be sure to book ahead!
More upmarket dining:
Restaurante Santiago - Founded half a century ago, this is the summum in old-fashioned Marbella dining. Fantastic seafood served by waiters in white jackets right on the beautiful Paseo Marítimo of Marbella.
Restaurante Novelli's - Jean Christophe Novelli opened the doors to his latest restaurant in 2009 and the restaurant has quickly established itself in the upmarket Marbella dining scene. The chef´s table provides an exclusive dining experience while you watch your dishes being prepared and for those with an ambition to cook like the greats, the restaurant organises masterclasses with the great Novelli himself.
Restaurante Mesana - Set in the 5-star Guadalpin Marbella hotel, this restaurant has independent access and serves an imaginative signature cuisine in a contemporary-classical dining area. Formerly one of Marbella's Michelin starred restaurant, Mesana still offers a delightful high-end gastronomic evening.
International dining on the Mediterranean:
Naga Thai Restaurant - A personal favourite, Naga offers classy Thai food in a trendy setting on the edge of Puerto Banús. Possibly the best Thai restaurant on the coast, with an extensive cocktail menu that is well worth trying - their palm-sugar caipirinha is unrivalled on the Costa del Sol!
Taj Mahal Restaurant - Located in Nueva Andalucia, the Taj Mahal is a popular spot especially with expats. Consistently producing tasty Indian dishes for eating in, take away or best of all: home delivery.
Osaka Japanese Restaurant - Great value for money Japanese restaurant in Bel-Air, on the way to Estepona. Why not let their Teppan-Yaki chefs entertain you and your guests, or choose from the a-la-carte menu at a more intimate table. Unfortunately, Osaka does not have a website, their address is:Ctra. N - 340, km. 166, C.C. Costa del Sol. 29680 Estepona, Tel: 952 885 751.
Don't miss out on the Tapa experience:
Bodegas La Venencia - With three branches in Marbella and one in Ojén, La Venencia has become an institution on the Costa del Sol, renowned for their extensive tapas menu and wine list. The website is mainly in Spanish, but luckily the menu is also available in English.
La Taberna del Pintxo - Pintxos (pronounced: pinchos) are the Basque style of tapas. During lunch and dinner hours, staff will go round the tables offering a variety of cold and warm pintxos - the price of your pintxo is determined by the use of different style toothpicks. Keep these until you finish your meal as they form the basis of your bill!
La Bodega - This typically Spanish tapas restaurant has been around for many decades and continues to be a favourite with both the locals and the expats. The tapas menu ranges from the ubiquitous "pork in tomato sauce" to more obscure items like "pajaritos" - baby birds that are not for the faint-hearted. La Bodega does not have a website, their address is:
C/ Lagasca, 60, 29670 San Pedro Alcántara.