Restaurants in Mijas and the Costa del Sol

One of the joys of eating out in this region is the sheer sociability of the Andalucians. Family and friends, often with children in tow, start early with tapas and continue eating until well after midnight. Some of the best restaurants have grown from ventas and tapas bars serving food based on fresh produce and home cooking; all give excellent value for money.

In the Mijas area there are many, many restaurants to choose from and there's something to suit all pockets. These are just a few of our favourites.

Recommending a personal favourite is always difficult as anywhere can have an 'off' night but even so here goes - I'll tell you about my favourite watering holes and eateries.

Taylor Made Catering

Dine at home without any hassle, from start to finish. Our team will take care of everything including purchasing, cooking, serving and clearing up.

Be it a cocktail party, light lunch, gourmet dinner or an extravagant wedding, we aim to provide the most professional service and to help make your event a most memorable one.

With over 20 years of professional experience from around the world, Michael will be happy to discuss any cuisine requirements you may desire.

El Mirlo Blanco

For authentic Spanish cuisine with an emphasis on dishes from Northern Spain. This is a wonderful place in the summer to sit outside on the terrace overlooking the Plaza de la Constitution in Mijas Village centre. In the winter you move inside to a snug room with the smell of burning olive wood ... whatever time of the year you will enjoy one of my favourite restaurants. My choice on the menu is caracoles (snails in a stew) followed by leg of lamb (but only if you like garlic) and you must finish off with the house speciality Soufflé (order for 2 ... will satisfy 5!). Bookings essential in the summer season but not so much in the winter.

Alcazaba in Mijas village

The views to the coast from the Alcazaba are nothing short of spectacular. For under 18€ Euros a head the menu del dia (a 3 course menu of the day) is excellent value for money. It is available at lunch time and in the evening on request. There is also an extensive a-la-carte menu. The Moorish decor and attentive service make for a memorable meal. Ask for a window or terrace table with a view.

El Capricho

It is only recently that Jill & I have started dining at this marvelous restaurant after friends took us for a 'thank you' night out a short while ago. I have walked past the entrance many, many times and must admit I have never given it a second glance ...... but oh boy what have I been missing!

All the food is freshly prepared and beautifully cooked ....... they will even do a paella for one ...... and excellent it is too. They also have a great pill-pill and their fillet steak is one of the best I have ever tasted. The waiters are friendly and helpful. The view from the terrace across the square is wonderful and in the winter the inside is snug and cosy. The El Capricho is one of the oldest Spanish owned restaurants in the village and is located in the centre of Mijas in Calle Los Canos. Closed on Wednesdays.

El Padrastro

Occupying the highest point in the centre of Mijas Pueblo, you can see this famous restaurant perched on a cliff above the Plaza Virgen de la Pena from miles around. This is one of the finest restaurants on the costa and features dishes such as duck magret smoked in tea with flambé fruit on the menu. A place for a special night out.

Restaurante Meson El Olivar

Located in Mijas Pueblo next to the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), excellent value and consistently good ... frequented by many locals. In the summer I can recommend anything from the bbq but in particular the pork chop which is very cheap. It can get pretty busy in July & August so be patient and chill with a glass of tinto verano! Closed on Saturdays.

Fiesta Restaurante-Bar

The Fiesta Restaurante-Bar is situated on the way into Mijas village. It has recently had a major face lift and is very popular with the locals. Reservations are essential. The meat is exceptional, especially the entrecote ; they also serve the best home made flan con nata (creme caramel with cream) around.

Alarcon Restaurante-Bar

Located in Calle de Lasta, the Barrio district of Mijas Pueblo. Without doubt this is the best tapas bar in the village bar none ... it's where all the locals come ... so get practising your Spanish! Fantastic choice and all cooked fresh at the bar. If you feel like something a little more substantial full meals are served on the roof terrace in the summer months.

Asador de Pollos - (the chicken shop!)

Some nights you just don't feel like going out and you certainly don't want to cook so the next best thing is a take-away ... and they don't get much better than a roast chicken stuffed with herbs and garlic from the 'chicken shop'! ... you can even order the chips too. Located at the edge of Mijas village, a few doors down from the Fiesta Bar. Double-park outside ... everyone else does!

Valpariso

No guide could be complete without a mention of this very popular restaurant. It really comes into a different class and is for a special night out, a birthday or last night perhaps. Live entertainment most evenings ... an opera singer followed by music to dance to .... Thursday is Flamenco (please check for current schedule).

You will really feel you have had a great night out! The Valparaiso is located on the Fuengirola to Mijas Pueblo road not far from Casa Navarra & Bellini's.

Cortijo Hnos Alba

One of my Top 5! A wonderful typical Spanish restaurant that specialises in fresh sea food. The sea food platter is supposed to be a main course but it is great as a starter shared by 2 or 3 ... yes, it's really is that big!

You can select your fresh fish from the cabinets & choose how you would like it cooking ... whole baked in salt is fabulous. Whilst mainly a fish restaurant the meat is just as good ... I can highly recommend fillet steak & the leg of lamb. Try finishing off with an Irish Coffee ... just don't drive home!

Located 100 metres from Casa Navarra on the Fuengirola to Mijas Pueblo road.

Casa Navarra

Casa Navarra is again located on the road between Fuengirola and Mijas Pueblo. Many many years ago Jill & I tried this restaurant and came away with the impression that "wow that was expensive!". Anyway during our winter months in Mijas we drive past the Casa Navarra almost every day and it was only fair that we should try it again now that we are a bit older and perhaps wiser ... and am I glad that we did!

It's still a bit on the expensive side (by Spanish standards) but the experience of dining here is wonderful ... antiques, wooden beams, open log fires in the winter and full of Spanish flavour. The menu is mainly meat and traditional Spanish dishes .... more of a place to perhaps try without the children.

Restaurante Pueblo Lopez

Located in a beautiful cobbled courtyard just on the outskirts of Fuengirola, this picture postcard setting is actually depicted on many posters and brochures used by the Spanish Tourist Board. The restaurant is only small but the welcome is huge! The menu is a little limited with a slight Scandinavian bias, but the food is superb and very reasonably priced. The 3 course menu of the day, which you can have in the evening if you wish, is about 18€ Euros (2006).

Ku Damm

Front line in Fuengirola marina; lovely setting; also good for a lunch time snack. Great menu of the day for about 10€ Euros; the spit with 3 meats is usually my choice (about 14€ Euros). Don't recommend the house wine - try a bottle of Siglo instead. Easy to listen to country style singer 2 or 3 nights a week.

Credit cards not accepted (at time of writing)

Ponchos

If its steak you are after then this is the place! ... Argentino beef at it's best. A good choice of starters including Argentinean meat pies ... still have to find out what they are! The fillet of beef is fabulous and comes in 2 sizes ... only order the 'grande' if you are really hungry or just plain greedy. This place buzzes with locals so a reservation is a 'must'. Located in the centre of Fuengirola in Calle Martinez Catena, opposite the bowling alley.

Bistro Vegetalia

[Tara Fishwick writes] As the only vegetarian in the family I've had some difficulty convincing everyone else to go au veggie for a night out but wow have we been missing out on something. Situated in the Los Boliches area of Fuengirola this Vegetarian Restaurant is a real gem. Extremely reasonably priced (most mains around €6 and a buffet lunch), friendly staff who are happy to help and explain the dishes (which include vegan and lactose free), and most importantly great food. This isn't a vegetarian restaurant of the purely lentil, brown rice and bland variety but is far more exciting and innovative than that. I highly recommend the freshly squeezed juices, it may even tempt you away from the wine and sangria! One of my favourite restaurants in this area, I'd recommend to everyone including a carnivore on a day off. Closed on Sundays & Mondays. Calle Sta.Isabel 8 , Los Boliches, Fuengirola.

The Bistro

The Bistro is located in Fuengirola. This is on a par with the Venta Morena as a "favourite" - not for the location or ambience but for the food. Situated in a back street with no view and inside too! Yet the food is superb and a bit different to the usual fare. Excellent, slightly French style cuisine, friendly staff, very popular - best to book.

Bar Antonio

A terrific bar/restaurant located in Avenida de Mijas, Fuengirola (just round the corner from the Euromarket) ... my favourite bar in town ... great bocodillos (sandwiches ... but much much better!), try a Serranito or Jamon Pata (york ham on the bone) with a coffee and maybe a brandy too!

The restraurant opens just for lunch and is packed every day with local workmen & business people ... the leg of lamb is fantastico and not to be missed ... the house Rioja is pretty decent too!

Venta Morena

Located near the entrance to Mijas golf course. If I had to pick one place that I love eating at more than any other, this is it. It is not smart or stylish but noisy and bustling and to top it all the food is fantastic and cheap. I first came here in the early 80's when it wasn't much more than a shack... some say it still is! It really has changed quite a bit since then and now caters for many tourists but is still very popular with the locals. Jeans and casual clothes are very much the order of the day.

On the menu my choice to start is usually either an excellent gambas pill-pill (prawns in a very, very hot garlic and chili oil) or boquerones frittos (whitebait to you and me), followed by something from the barbacoa (barbecue) ..... the pork ribs are to die for! Jill enjoys the lenguado la plancha (grilled sole) but if you don't like garlic ask for it sin ajo. Another favourite of Jill's is the Hake Basque Style - a bit like a bouillabaisse with a hard boiled egg and asparagus thrown in (and very filling!).

Round your meal off with a coffee - try a "grande" or a "cafe solo" if you prefer black. Either way it comes in a copa (glass). By the way, the "vin de la casa" house red is quite rough. Go for the one up on the menu, the especial, which costs only a 2 € Euro or so is infinitely better.

Roca Tranquila

A new restaurant on the coast that already has a big following ... including me! The food, the ambience, the views ... all unbeatable. When you arrive at the restaurant you pass by Roca Tranquila's show kitchen; during the wintertime, the fireplace which is next to the kitchen, creates a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. All windows in the restaurant offer a fantastic view of Fuengirola Bay. The mansion style building was built in the 1950's as the private and cherished residence of Baron Killisch von Horn; the main building is situated on a hill top and has been completely renovated, respecting the original style.

I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough ... please take a look at their web site, and if you do visit print off their map ... it's not the easiest place to find!

La Fonda School of Cookery

A very special place to be spoilt ... I have taken Jill here several times on her birthday. The chefs, waiters, waitresses, sommeliers are all 'in school', but don't let this put you off ... they are under the very careful eye of the maître d! The atmosphere is friendly & the food exceptional. A booking is a 'must', open only for lunch (closed July & August).

Restaurante Faro Playa

The Faro Playa Restaurant is located right on the beach at El Faro. Their Paella, a house speciality, is one of the best around and reasonably priced too. The house wine is 'Don Darios', a very pleasant red. Besides restaurant meals they also have a good lunch time selection of snacks.

Mijas Playa

This well-known restaurant is situated at Mijas Costa beach near the N340. Beautiful surroundings, excellent food and superb service make the Mijas Playa a first class restaurant for a special night out. The menu is extensive with many regional specialities and a wine list to satisfy all pockets. There is a small dance floor and a pianist who plays most evenings. I probably prefer this restaurant to Valpariso but it's a close thing. Prepare to be spoilt!

Alberts

Alberts in the port overlooking the boats in the beautiful port of Cabopino. Excellent food with great value for money & friendly service. Open every day for breakfast, lunch & dinner ... nightly entertainment. This is a 'sister' restaurant to the Mijas Playa.

The Beach House Restaurant

Jill & I recently discovered this fabulous beach front restaurant ... we were really looking for a quieter, secluded beach when we stumbled upon The Beach House. We spent a very pleasant morning on the beach ... very civilised, waiter service to your sunbed & if you want a massage, you can have that too!

The restaurant fills quickly for lunch so make a reservation beforehand if possible. I had one of the best Caesar salads with shrimp I have ever had followed by whole dorada steamed in banana leaves which was also cooked just perfectly. Jill wasn't disappointed either with her home smoked duck breast followed by a prime beef homemade beefburger ... the way it should be! Live music added to the relaxed & friendly ambience.

After a bottle of wine there was only one thing to do ... sleep it off back on my sunbed in the shade!

Club Maritimo Marbella

If you find yourself in Marbella and want somewhere good to eat, either for lunch or dinner, you must try this restaurant. It is located right in the Marina, the main Club Nautico. The view from the balcony across the boats is fantastic ..... and there's a menu to match!

When you walk in the entrance it all looks a bit 'stuffy' and expensive .... it isn't. Take a table on the terrace, order a beer and select some tapas from the list. PS: the gazpacho and calamares are the 'best'!

Our Inland Selection

Venta Los Morenos

Venta Los Morenos, not to be confused with the previous Venta, located inland at the roundabout on the Mijas to Coin road. I haven't been there for a while since it was 'discovered' by the Sunday Times! Very noisy, very Spanish and very cheap.....if you want serving wave your arms and hope for the best! More a place for a long Sunday lunch than an evening meal. Great fun.

October 2006 - Jill and I have recently revisited and I'm pleased to say it's just the same!

El Postillon

I've been in a dilemma whether to include El Postillon on my web site, not because it is 'so so' but because it is among one of my favourite restaurants in the area and I find it hard enough to get a table as it is without telling everyone else just how fabulous this place is!

In the summer the tables are laid outside in a courtyard and on the terrace with views across the countryside; in the winter it is equally as enjoyable in the cosy dining room. The waitresses you will find professional, very attentive and efficient.

The food you just cannot fault, all is fresh and home made ... amongst my favourites are chantel mushrooms (and let me tell you I normally don't care much for mushrooms!) followed by a beef fillet in a 5 pepper sauce; the house red Reserva is Marquis de Riscal, absolutely superb. So go on, treat yourselves to a special night out at El Postillon, you won't be disappointed ... just keep this 'find' to ourselves!

It's about a 15 minute drive inland from Mijas Pueblo to El Postillon (take the Alhaurin/Coin road and after about 8km turn right at the roundabout towards Alhaurin ... El Postillon is then approx. 1km on your left).

Restaurant Santiago

Restaurant Santiago - The large wooden front door is always closed ... knock to be let in! Santiagos is a superb international restaurant with exciting specials. Set in sumptuous Moroccan surroundings Santiagos has a warm feel about it, great atmosphere and friendly staff. The home-made bonoffi pie is not to be missed. Reservations are advised.

Located in Alhaurin el Grande ... as you enter the town from Fuengirola/Mijas you will come to a junction with a Tobacconist on the corner (there is also a sign directing you to Santiago's). Go straight on at this junction, Santiago's is approx. 300 metres on your left.

Restaurant Los Candiles

A lovely venta located close to the town of Alhaurin El Grande with great food - the mussels in a saffron sauce are historic (I'm beginning to sound like Michael Winner!). The house specialty is Avila chops, fresh fish & seafood which you can view in the cabinet behind the bar. The staff are very welcoming, a popular restaurant with the locals and can get very busy on a Sunday afternoon. Highly recommended.

Venta Bichitos

A great little Venta by the side of the MA404 near Alhaurin el Grande. When in the area Jill & I pop in often for a quick tapa or menu of the day. Frequented by lots of locals & foreign residents .... nothing fancy but good inexpensive food!

Santa Fe Restaurante

This is one of Andalucia's hidden gems; a restaurant set in a magical nineteenth century finca, situated on the outskirts of Coin. The restaurant of Santa Fe, under the patrician care of creative chef Jaap Schaafsma, combines the traditional French kitchen with lighter Mediterranean touches. The innovative menu includes several vegetarian dishes and is complemented by a well balanced and interesting wine list.

Beautifully presented food is enhanced by the magical settings; leisurely lunches are served under the protective shade of an ancient olive tree accompanied by the sound of birdsong, whilst delicious dinners are enjoyed on the poolside terraces during balmy evenings with the scent of jasmine filling the air, all with a distinctly Mediterranean flavour. An old farmhouse dining room with the comfort of a wood burning stove provides a romantic ambience for cosy winter meals. Service is attentive yet unobtrusive; the food is unpretentious but delicious.

La Finca

A lovely country restaurant that also has stables ... if you're lucky you might see a horse being put through it's paces! A good selection of tapas at the bar & an extensive menu in the restaurant ... Juan is always there to make a recommendation. I rather liked the peppers stuffed with cod & the "Campillo" was as good as ever!

Castillo de Monda

This majestic 15th century Moorish castle is situated above the white village of Monda, just a 10 minute drive from Coin and approximately 30 minutes from Mijas ... the drive though is well worth the effort! Jill & I have been told many times that we must try the restaurant here but never seemed to get round to it ... until now ... and have we been missing out!

The food is absolutely superb, and beautifully presented ... not cheap by Spanish standards (approx. 50 euros per head with wine, 2006), but if you would like a special night or Sunday lunch then Castillo de Monda is a 'must'.