Eating Well on the Costa del Sol
Food is one of the great pleasures of living in southern Spain. The Costa del Sol offers everything from traditional chiringuitos serving freshly grilled sardines to Michelin-starred restaurants in Marbella. And the food markets are spectacular. Here is your guide to the best of what the region has to offer.
The Best Food Markets
Mercado Central de Atarazanas (Malaga) - The crown jewel of Malaga's food scene. This 19th-century market houses over 200 stalls selling fresh fish, local cheeses, Iberian ham, olives, spices, and seasonal produce. Go early (before 11:00) for the best selection. The bars inside serve outstanding tapas. Try the fried fish at Bar Central.
Mercado de Marbella - Located in the old town, this compact market is perfect for picking up fresh ingredients. Outstanding fish and shellfish stalls. The surrounding streets have excellent tapas bars. Open Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 14:00.
Mercado de San Fernando (Fuengirola) - A recently renovated market with a modern food court upstairs. Downstairs is a traditional fresh produce market. Great for families. Open daily.
Types of Restaurants
- Chiringuitos - Beach restaurants. The quintessential Costa del Sol experience. Fresh fish and seafood, feet in the sand. Try espetos (sardines grilled on a stick over olive wood). Budget: EUR 15-25 per person.
- Ventas - Roadside restaurants in the countryside. Enormous portions of traditional food at very low prices. Popular with locals. Budget: EUR 8-15 per person.
- Tapas bars - The heart of Spanish food culture. Order several small plates to share. A tapa costs EUR 2-5. Three tapas with drinks makes a full meal for EUR 12-18.
- Restaurantes - Sit-down restaurants. The menu del dia (daily set menu) is excellent value: three courses with bread, drink, and dessert for EUR 10-14.
Must-Try Local Dishes
- Espetos de sardinas - Sardines grilled on bamboo skewers over wood fire. The iconic dish of Malaga.
- Ajoblanco - Cold almond and garlic soup. A refreshing summer staple, often served with grapes.
- Porra antequereana - A thick cold tomato soup, similar to salmorejo. Topped with ham and egg.
- Fritura malaguena - Mixed fried fish. Boquerones (anchovies), calamares, chopitos (baby squid), and rosada.
- Plato de los montes - A hearty mountain dish with pork loin, chorizo, fried egg, peppers, and potatoes.
Fine Dining
The Costa del Sol has a growing fine dining scene. Skina in Marbella's old town holds two Michelin stars and offers a stunning tasting menu. Sollo in Fuengirola has one star, specializing in caviar and freshwater fish. El Lago at the Greenlife Golf Club in Marbella pairs innovative cuisine with lake views.
Wine and Drinks
Malaga has its own wine region producing excellent sweet wines (vinos dulces) and increasingly good dry whites and reds. Bodegas Quitapenas and Jorge Ordonez are local producers worth seeking out. A glass of local wine in a bar costs EUR 2-3. Spanish beer (Cruzcampo, Alhambra, Victoria) is served ice cold and costs EUR 1.50-2.50.
Weekly Markets
Weekly outdoor markets (mercadillos) are a social event as much as a shopping trip. Fuengirola's Tuesday market is one of the largest on the coast. Marbella has its Monday market at the fairground. These sell everything from local produce to clothes, and the food stalls are excellent for olives, nuts, dried fruit, and spices.
Living near great food is part of the Costa del Sol lifestyle. When choosing a property, consider proximity to markets and restaurant areas. Use our free calculator to estimate your total costs to budget for your dream home in the heart of the action.