Tapas bars are a common feature in Malaga and are not only a great way to enjoy several dishes with a range of flavours but almost a way of life. There's a strong social aspect to the experience as the eating and drinking all add to the flow of the conversation. Regular dishes on almost every menu include tortilla, chorizo sausage, various cheeses and patatas bravas (potato wedges and chilli sauce), but it's definitely worth experimenting with something new.
To enjoy great tapas along with the chance to spot the odd Spanish celebrity, El Orellana is a one of the city's favourite locations for leading stars. Found on C/Moreno Monroy, the restaurant is well established having opened its doors in 1938 and the menu has grown during that time that they now have more than 60 tapas to choose from. Venture into a plate of snails or black pudding for something more original or the ham is among the finest anywhere.
As a starter in many restaurants cold soup such as gazpacho is popular and garlic soup known as ajo blanco or sopa de ajo is a local delicacy. One restaurant on Plaza de Uncibay is even called Ajo Blanco as their soup is so good and the gazpacho has a reputation for the best in the city. For meat lovers, the cured meats and paté and also very good but perhaps a better place to try is La Rebana which is considered a bit of an expert for this type of food. Don't miss the chance to try the Serrano ham or the wild mushrooms and asparagus.
Restaurants at Malaga hotels also often serve tapas but nothing compares to the traditional charm of the more secluded places waiting to be explored down the narrow side streets. El Pimpi la Florida is an example of a very traditional tavern as the décor is fitted with a series of photographs of the city's famous flamenco dancers. Bar Logueno is another bar mainly frequented by locals as they never get tired of the endless menu that has over 75 tapas to choose from. The prices aren't expensive either, with the cheapest starting at €1.50 and specialities include the peppers which are deep fired or the sautéed oyster mushrooms.
Being so close to such an abundant supply of fish, the restaurants in Malaga sure know how to cook it to bring out the best flavour. Fritura malaguena, lighted fried fish, is a speciality and its simplicity makes it so delicious. El Caleno is a good place to get this type of fish and they also serve the popular spit roasted sardines that are found at many places anywhere along the seafront. The restaurant is by the sea in Pedregalejo, so it's also the perfect location for sea views and watching the sunset.
One culinary highlight that's also not on the main streets is Gorki along Calle Strachan. The bar is just off Calle Larios which itself is very busy but by picking one of the tables outside you can sit and watch the bustle of the city. The restaurant does get busy, but at different times to other places, as it remains open during the siesta and then closes as the others start to open back up again. Here the Serrano ham is also rather special and is cut into slices directly as you order. If you're not sure what to have from the list from the menu, let the waiter decide as they'll be able to match your taste buds with something new; whether that's something like swordfish wrapped in ham or sea urchin.
Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Malaga Hotels content.
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