The 21 best restaurants in the Costa del Sol
But local gastronomy offers much more beyond haute cuisine, and numerous restaurants serve excellent food, often at wallet-friendly prices – it's still easy to find a tasty three-course lunch menu for less than £13 (€15).
Andalusian and Spanish cooking reign supreme, but thanks to its cosmopolitan locals, the Costa del Sol offers good food for the world over. ¡Qué aproveche!
All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best restaurants in the Costa del Sol. Find out more below, or for more inspiration, see our guides to the hotels, restaurants, things to do and beaches.
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Best all-rounders
Araboka Centro
This friendly venue takes traditional recipes – many are family classics – and local produce to create dishes with a modern twist. Malaga sausage becomes a delicate tartare with raisins, while fried anchovies get a cheese filling, and Iberian pork pairs with red pesto. Ask maître d' Antonio to recommend the perfect pairing wine from his extensive cellar. Feast in the airy dining room among cobalt walls and watercolours or outside on the terrace, where a pleasant breeze blows on summer nights.
Arte de Cozina
Chef Charo Carmona calls herself the keeper of forgotten recipes, and you certainly step back in time at this restored 17th-century Antequeran townhouse. She crafts the à la carte menu using seasonal and organic produce, showcasing traditional dishes, including three types of gazpacho, creamy rice, and rich goat stew. The house bienmesabe almond cream dessert is reportedly the best in town. Pair with the curated wines or one of the 30-odd beer labels.
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The tiny but beautiful country named Europe's fastest-growing destination
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Record Spanish wildfires close part of Camino de Santiago route
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