.jpg){kind=link}
El Pimpi ★ 4.3
El Pimpi has poured sweet Málaga wine since 1971, a rambling bodega on Calle Granada with a terrace facing the Roman Theatre and plates of ensaladilla.
SignatureEnsaladilla, Ajoblanco con mango
Restaurants in Centro Histórico
Mesón Mariano ★ 4.4
Mesón Mariano has cooked seasonal Andalusian food in central Málaga since 1988, famous for artichokes done several ways and a proper gazpachuelo.
SignatureAlcachofas, Gazpachuelo
El Mesón de Cervantes ★ 4.4
El Mesón de Cervantes is an Argentine-run Málaga kitchen off Plaza Merced, an open dining room plating oxtail, fresh fish and grilled meats.
Los Mellizos ★ 4.1
Los Mellizos brings the family's Rincón de la Victoria seafood to central Málaga on Calle Sancha de Lara, all fried fish, clams and rice from the bay.
Marisquería Godoy ★ 4.2
Marisquería Godoy sits on Málaga's Muelle Uno, a portside seafood house serving fried fish, red Motril prawns and rice with the bay in full view.
Uvedoble Taberna ★ 4.4
Uvedoble is a modern Málaga taberna by the Roman Theatre, plating creative tapas like oxtail brioche and boquerones beside the Alcazaba walls.
El Chinitas ★ 3.9
El Chinitas is a Málaga old-town classic just off Calle Larios, its tiled dining room serving traditional Andalusian fish, stews and fritura.
Vino Mío ★ 3.9
Vino Mío pairs international and Andalusian plates with nightly flamenco in central Málaga near Teatro Cervantes, a lively sit-down dinner spot.
Batik ★ 4.0
Batik crowns the Alcazaba Premium hotel in Málaga, a rooftop dining room serving Mediterranean plates with the Alcazaba and cathedral in view.
Asador Ovidio ★ 4.2
Asador Ovidio grills Galician dry-aged beef and market fish over coals on Plaza Uncibay in central Málaga, a carnivore's stop in the old town.
Kortxo ★ 4.1
Kortxo is a lively central Málaga restaurant just off Calle Larios, plating updated Spanish classics and generous shared dishes in a buzzy room.
Fine Dining in Centro Histórico
Kaleja 1 ★ ★ 4.8
Kaleja is Dani Carnero's one-Michelin-star restaurant in central Málaga, rebuilding Andalusian home cooking over live coals across two long tasting menus.
Book2 weeks ahead
Palodú 1 ★ ★ 4.7
Palodú won a Michelin star in the 2026 guide, where Cris Cánovas and Diego Aguilar cook a market tasting menu four hands in central Málaga, with no head chef.
Book2 weeks ahead
Blossom 1 ★ ★ 4.6
Blossom is Emi Schobert's one-Michelin-star table in Málaga's old town, folding Peruvian, Mexican and Argentine notes into long Andalusian tasting menus.
Book2 weeks ahead
La Cosmo ★ 4.5
La Cosmo is Dani Carnero's Bib Gourmand tapas restaurant behind Málaga cathedral, an open kitchen sending out his mother's hake salad and coastal plates.
El Tapeo de Cervantes ★ 4.5
El Tapeo de Cervantes is a tiny Michelin Guide tavern in central Málaga where Dani Carnero first cooked, plating market fish tapas for just 28 seats.
Beluga ★ 4.3
Beluga sits on Málaga's Plaza de las Flores, where chef Diego René cooks meridional seafood from the Alborán Sea with a Levantine, Andalusian accent.
Balausta ★ 4.3
Balausta is the courtyard restaurant of Hotel Palacio Solecio in old-town Málaga, serving contemporary malagueño cooking under an 18th-century arcade.
Ta-Kumi ★ 4.2
Ta-Kumi is a Michelin Guide Japanese restaurant in central Málaga, a long-running sushi and robata counter drawing on the day's catch from Atarazanas.
El Refectorium Catedral ★ 4.2
El Refectorium Catedral is a market-driven restaurant beside Málaga cathedral, an offshoot of the 1973 Malagueta original grilling the day's fish and meat.
Casual Dining in Centro Histórico
Casa Lola ★ 4.1
Casa Lola is a bustling tiled taberna on Málaga's Calle Granada, pouring vermouth on tap alongside croquetas, ajoblanco malagueño and shared montaditos.
OrderCroquetas and gambas a la plancha with a cold vermouth
Cortijo de Pepe ★ 4.0
Cortijo de Pepe has fed locals on Málaga's Plaza de la Merced since 1971, a no-frills tapas bar of fried aubergine with molasses and cheap house wine.
OrderBerenjenas con miel and a plate of jamón at the bar
La Taberna del Pintxo ★ 3.9
La Taberna del Pintxo works the Basque way in central Málaga, a bar off Calle Larios where you grab skewered pintxos and pay by the toothpick.
OrderA tray of pintxos grabbed straight off the bar
Las Merchanas ★ 4.0
Las Merchanas is a Semana Santa shrine turned Málaga taberna, its walls thick with religious icons and its bar plating flamenquines and fried aubergine.
OrderBerenjenas con miel and flamenquines with a sweet wine
Mesón Lo Güeno ★ 4.0
Mesón Lo Güeno has crammed tapas eaters into a Málaga alley off Calle Larios since the 1960s, a wood-panelled bar of cured meats and hot montaditos.
OrderSolomillo al whisky and a wedge of manchego
La Casa del Piyayo ★ 3.9
La Casa del Piyayo is a snug tapas tavern on Málaga's Calle Granada, plating porra antequerana, boquerones and other malagueño staples at the counter.
OrderPorra antequerana and a plate of boquerones
Pepa y Pepe ★ 3.9
Pepa y Pepe is a rowdy little tapas bar off Málaga's Calle Calderería, chalkboard raciones and cold beer spilling onto a permanently packed street.
OrderChalkboard tapas washed down with a caña
Gorki ★ 3.9
Gorki is Grupo Gorki's flagship tapas bar on Málaga's Calle Strachan, a polished room of montaditos and shared plates beside its own wine shop.
OrderMontaditos and a glass from the Gorki wine shop next door
La Barra de Doña Inés ★ 3.9
La Barra de Doña Inés is a smart tapas bar on Málaga's Alameda Principal, plating ensaladilla, grilled prawns and market fish beside a long marble counter.
OrderEnsaladilla and grilled prawns at the marble bar
El Gallo Ronco ★ 3.6
El Gallo Ronco sits on Málaga's Plaza de las Flores, an all-day Andalusian kitchen of traditional stews and fried fish with live flamenco after dark.
OrderTraditional stews with a side of live flamenco
Mesón Ibérico ★ 4.0
Mesón Ibérico is a traditional jamón bar in central Málaga, a tight room slicing Iberian ham and charcuterie with cheeses and cured-meat plates.
OrderIberian ham carved to order with a glass of red
Pez Lola ★ 4.0
Pez Lola is a bright marine taberna on Málaga's Calle Granada, plating fried fish, boquerones and seafood tapas late into the night near the Alcazaba.
OrderFried fish and marinated boquerones with a cold beer
El Trillo ★ 3.9
El Trillo is a classic tapas taberna off Málaga's Calle Larios, a bustling bar of Iberian charcuterie, croquetas, fried fish and grilled meats.
OrderCroquetas and a board of Iberian cheeses and hams
Cafés in Centro Histórico
Casa Aranda ★ 4.3
Casa Aranda has fried churros beside Málaga's Atarazanas market since 1932, an alley of waiter-served tables dunking them in thick, dark chocolate.
DrinkChurros with thick hot chocolate
Casa Mira ★ 4.2
Casa Mira has scooped turrón ice cream and cut nougat in central Málaga since 1890, a fifth-generation counter on the marble of Calle Larios.
DrinkTurrón ice cream and horchata
La Tetería ★ 4.0
La Tetería is a Moorish tea room beside Málaga's Picasso Museum, pouring mint tea and infusions with vegan cakes and North African pastries.
DrinkMoroccan mint tea and North African pastries
La Bella Julieta ★ 3.9
La Bella Julieta is a photogenic Málaga coffee bar near Calle Larios, stacking cakes, waffles and loaded shakes for a mid-morning sugar hit.
DrinkLoaded milkshakes and specialty coffee
Recyclo Bike Café ★ 4.0
Recyclo Bike Café is Málaga's original bike-cafe near Atarazanas, bicycles overhead and a menu of organic breakfasts, vegan plates and local craft beer.
DrinkSpecialty coffee and craft beer
Bertani Café ★ 4.2
Bertani Café was Málaga's first specialty coffee bar, opened in 2012 near the market, a small counter of carefully sourced espresso, filter and cakes.
DrinkSpecialty espresso with homemade cake
Syra Coffee ★ 4.1
Syra Coffee brings the Barcelona roaster's ethically sourced beans to central Málaga, a compact bar pulling bright espresso and pour-overs on Calle Mártires.
DrinkCortado or filter with the Barcelona roast
Kima Coffee ★ 4.3
Kima Coffee is a specialty roastery and cafe on Málaga's Calle Carretería, roasting single-origin Arabica in-house and brewing it across espresso and filter.
DrinkSingle-origin filter from the in-house roast
Café con Libros ★ 3.9
Café con Libros is a bookish cafe on Málaga's Plaza de la Merced, an old-style reading room of coffee, cake and cultural events near Picasso's birthplace.
DrinkCoffee among the bookshelves
Bakeries in Centro Histórico
La Canasta ★ 3.8
La Canasta is a Málaga bakery-cafe on Plaza de la Constitución, its counters piled with fresh breads, cakes and savoury pastries since the 1980s.
Worth the queueFreshly baked cakes and sandwiches
Confitería Aparicio ★ 4.0
Confitería Aparicio has made Málaga sweets since 1908, a Capuchinos confectioner famous for pastelitos de gloria of marzipan and rich egg yolk.
Worth the queuePastelitos de gloria
La Mallorquina ★ 3.9
La Mallorquina is a traditional Málaga pastelería near Plaza Félix Sáenz, its counters lined with classic cakes, tartas and Andalusian sweets.
Worth the queueClassic tartas and Andalusian sweets
Santa Canela ★ 3.9
Santa Canela is a Málaga bakery known for its cinnamon rolls and American-style bakes, a bright counter of sweet pastries and specialty coffee.
Worth the queueRollo de canela (cinnamon roll)
Coffee Roasters in Centro Histórico
Next Level Specialty Coffee ★ 4.3
Next Level Specialty Coffee sits just off Málaga's Alameda, a small bright bar pairing rotating single-origin filters with organic snacks near the market.
BeansEthiopia, Colombia, Brazil
BrewsEspresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Mía Coffee ★ 4.3
Mía Coffee is a tiny specialty bar on Málaga's Plaza de los Mártires, where the owner brews carefully and bakes the homemade cakes that sell out daily.
BeansEthiopia, Guatemala
BrewsEspresso, Filter
Bun and Coffee ★ 4.2
Bun and Coffee pairs specialty espresso with vegan artisan doughnuts in central Málaga, a bright counter frying its rings fresh through the morning.
BeansColombia, Ethiopia
BrewsEspresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Wine Bars in Centro Histórico
Los Patios de Beatas ★ 4.3
Los Patios de Beatas is a Málaga wine bar in two restored 18th-century houses, pouring over fifty wines by the glass under stained-glass courtyards.
PourA glass of Málaga Moscatel from the local list
WineOver 600 Spanish and international wines, 50 by the glass
Antigua Casa de Guardia ★ 4.5
Antigua Casa de Guardia has poured Málaga sweet wine from the barrel since 1840, the city's oldest tavern chalking your tab straight on the counter.
PourPajarete or Seco Añejo poured from the cask
WineMálaga sweet wines drawn straight from the barrel
Casa de Vinos La Odisea ★ 4.1
Casa de Vinos La Odisea is a snug Málaga wine house in La Coracha, its barrels holding only wines of the province beside plates of fried fish.
PourA barrel-drawn Málaga Virgen with fried fish
WineFifteen barrels of wines from Málaga province
Bodegas Quitapenas ★ 4.1
Bodegas Quitapenas is a century-old Málaga bodega on Calle Marín García, pouring local wines and vermouth beside boquerones and fried anchovies.
PourA copa of Málaga wine with a plate of boquerones
WineMálaga wines and vermouth from a century-old bodega
Bars in Centro Histórico
La Terraza de la Alcazaba ★ 4.2
La Terraza de la Alcazaba is a rooftop cocktail bar atop a Malaga hotel on Calle Alcazabilla, with views of the Alcazaba fortress and Gibralfaro Castle.
DrinkCocktails with a view of the Alcazaba
Puerta Oscura ★ 4.1
Puerta Oscura is a Málaga cocktail bar of 19th-century velvet and classical music near the cathedral, a hushed room for slow, well-made drinks.
DrinkClassic cocktails to a soundtrack of classical music
Chester & Punk ★ 4.2
Chester & Punk is one of Andalusia's top cocktail bars, a playful central Málaga room off Calle Larios pouring inventive, competition-grade drinks.
DrinkInventive signature cocktails from a top-guide bar
La Terraza de Larios ★ 4.2
La Terraza de Larios sits atop Hotel Larios on Málaga's Marqués de Larios, a rooftop bar with retractable roof and cocktails over the cathedral rooftops.
DrinkA cocktail over the cathedral rooftops
Renard Cocktail Club ★ 4.2
Renard Cocktail Club is an intimate central Málaga cocktail bar off Calle Larios, a low-lit room of classic and signature drinks made with real care.
DrinkClassic and signature cocktails made with care
La Destilería ★ 4.0
La Destilería is a Málaga cocktail bar on Calle Beatas making drinks with its own distillates and live music, running late into the early hours.
DrinkCocktails made with the bar's own distillates
The Pharmacy ★ 4.2
The Pharmacy is a hidden Malaga speakeasy with an apothecary theme, dark wood and a downstairs room, mixing botanical cocktails behind a discreet entrance.
DrinkBotanical cocktails
La Terraza Molina Lario ★ 4.1
La Terraza Molina Lario is an eighth-floor rooftop bar in central Málaga, cocktails and a pool deck with front-row views of the cathedral and the port.
DrinkA cocktail beside the cathedral view
Street Food in Centro Histórico
Tejeringo's Coffee ★ 3.9
Tejeringo's Coffee fries fresh churros and tejeringos across central Málaga, dunked in thick chocolate or dulce de leche at a quick counter.
TryChurros and tejeringos with chocolate
Bar El Yerno ★ 4.2
Bar El Yerno is a legendary seafood counter inside Málaga's Atarazanas market, serving the day's catch raw, grilled and fried straight off the stalls.
TryMarket fish served raw, grilled and fried
TipFind it at stall 218 inside the Atarazanas market and order the fish three ways.
Breweries in Centro Histórico
Central Beers ★ 4.3
Central Beers is a craft-beer bar on Málaga's Calle Cárcer, fifteen rotating taps and a rockabilly room pouring Spanish and international small-batch brews.
Birras Deluxe ★ 4.1
Birras Deluxe is a craft-beer bar and bottle shop by Málaga's Plaza de la Merced, sixteen taps and hundreds of cans just behind the Picasso Museum.
La Botica de la Cerveza ★ 4.0
La Botica de la Cerveza is a laid-back Málaga beer bar on Calle Victoria, over three hundred bottles and rotating taps run by a Nerja beer obsessive.
La Madriguera ★ 4.0
La Madriguera is a snug craft-beer bar in Málaga's old town on Calle Carretería, eight rotating taps and a wall of bottles in an intimate room.
Markets in Centro Histórico
Mercado Central de Atarazanas ★ 4.6
Mercado Central de Atarazanas is Málaga's grand 19th-century market behind a Moorish gate, its stalls piled with the bay's fish and Andalusian produce.
Mercado de la Merced ★ 4.1
Mercado de la Merced is a restored gourmet food hall by Málaga's Plaza de la Merced, slicing Iberian ham and frying fish beside Picasso's birthplace.
Mercado de Huelin ★ 3.9
Mercado de Huelin is Málaga's second-largest market in the Carretera de Cádiz district, 162 stalls of fresh fish, meat and produce for local kitchens.
Mercado de Salamanca ★ 3.9
Mercado de Salamanca is a 1920s Neo-Mudéjar market in Málaga's El Molinillo, tiled arches over stalls of fish, meat and produce off the tourist trail.
Budget Eats in Centro Histórico
La Tranca ★ 4.1
La Tranca is a chaotic, poster-plastered Málaga tavern on Calle Carretería, pouring vermouth on tap and sending out ensaladilla and tripe from about €1.50.
TryHomemade tapas and vermouth on tap
Pepa y Pepe ★ 3.9
Pepa y Pepe is a rowdy budget tapas bar off Málaga's Calle Calderería, chalkboard raciones from a couple of euros with cold beer spilling onto the street.
TryChalkboard raciones and cold beer
Casa Aranda ★ 4.3
Casa Aranda is Málaga's cheapest great breakfast, an alley of tables by Atarazanas serving churros and thick chocolate for a few euros since 1932.
TryChurros with thick chocolate
El Trillo ★ 3.9
El Trillo is a good-value tapas taberna off Málaga's Calle Larios, croquetas, cheeses and Iberian charcuterie at a bustling bar near the centre.
TryCroquetas and Iberian charcuterie
La Casa del Piyayo ★ 3.9
La Casa del Piyayo is a cheap, tucked-away tapas tavern on Málaga's Calle Granada, plating porra antequerana and boquerones by the plate at the counter.
TryPorra antequerana and boquerones
Casa Lola ★ 4.0
Casa Lola is a lively, affordable tapas taberna on Málaga's Calle Granada, vermouth on tap and croquetas, ajoblanco and montaditos at low prices.
TryCroquetas and vermouth on tap
Brunch in Centro Histórico
Brunchit ★ 4.1
Brunchit is Málaga's original all-day brunch spot near Atarazanas, plating eggs benedict, pancakes and smoothie bowls to a young, sunny crowd.
OrderEggs benedict with a smoothie bowl on the side
Brunchit Alhóndiga ★ 4.0
Brunchit Alhóndiga brings the brand's all-day brunch to central Málaga by the Mercado Central, a bright room of benedicts, avocado toast and bowls.
OrderAvocado toast and a flat white by the Mercado Central
Recyclo Bike Café ★ 4.0
Recyclo Bike Café doubles as a Málaga brunch stop near Atarazanas, its organic breakfasts and vegan plates served under bicycles by the market.
OrderFull breakfast with a specialty coffee under the bicycles
BYOKO ★ 4.1
BYOKO is an organic all-day brunch spot on Málaga's Plaza de la Merced, serving seasonal, mostly plant-based plates and specialty coffee near Picasso's home.
OrderAn organic brunch bowl with a specialty coffee
La Bella Julieta ★ 3.9
La Bella Julieta doubles as a Málaga brunch stop near Calle Larios, stacking waffles, cakes and loaded shakes through a photogenic all-day menu.
OrderA loaded milkshake and a waffle stack
Late-Night Eats in Centro Histórico
El Pimpi ★ 4.3
El Pimpi keeps its Calle Granada bodega open past midnight in Málaga, a rambling late stop for sweet wine and tapas facing the floodlit Roman Theatre.
TrySweet wine and late tapas on the terrace
El Gallo Ronco ★ 3.8
El Gallo Ronco stays open toward 01:00 on Málaga's Plaza de las Flores, an Andalusian kitchen serving stews and fried fish to a late flamenco crowd.
TryTraditional stews with late-night flamenco
Mesón Lo Güeno ★ 4.0
Mesón Lo Güeno serves tapas until midnight in a Málaga alley off Calle Larios, a wood-panelled bar of cured meats and hot montaditos for a late bite.
TrySolomillo al whisky and cured meats
Chester & Punk ★ 4.2
Chester & Punk runs cocktails to 03:00 at weekends in central Málaga, one of Andalusia's top bars pouring inventive drinks well past midnight.
TryLate cocktails off Calle Larios
Pez Lola ★ 4.0
Pez Lola serves seafood tapas past 01:00 on Málaga's Calle Granada, a bright marine taberna for late fried fish and boquerones near the Alcazaba.
TrySeafood tapas and fried fish
La Destilería ★ 4.0
La Destilería runs cocktails to 04:00 at weekends on Málaga's Calle Beatas, a late-night bar of house distillates and live music in the old town.
TryLate cocktails, DJ set on Thursdays
Nightlife in Centro Histórico
ZZ Pub ★ 4.1
ZZ Pub in central Malaga has booked live rock, blues, soul and funk every night since 1991, one of the city's longest-running music rooms.
TipCheck the online agenda before going: the lineup changes nightly and some shows carry a separate ticket.
La Terraza de la Alcazaba ★ 4.2
La Terraza de la Alcazaba is the top-floor rooftop bar of a hotel on Calle Alcazabilla in Malaga, looking straight at the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle.
TipIt gets busiest around sunset, so arrive early for a table facing the Alcazaba fortress.
La Terraza de Larios ★ 4.2
La Terraza de Larios sits atop the Hotel Larios on Malaga's Marques de Larios, a compact rooftop bar whose retractable roof opens on warm evenings.
TipThe space is compact, so arrive early on summer weekends; it stays open until 02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights.
La Terraza Molina Lario ★ 4.1
La Terraza Molina Lario is an 8th-floor rooftop bar opposite Malaga's cathedral, open to the public as well as hotel guests, with no reservation needed.
TipCome at golden hour for the cathedral view; there is no food on the terrace, so eat before or after.
The Pharmacy ★ 4.2
The Pharmacy is a concealed cocktail bar in central Malaga with a discreet entryway, its dark wood interior decorated with antique apothecary jars.
TipThe cocktail list is built on botanicals; head down the stairs to the dim, red-velvet speakeasy room.
La Comedia ★ 4.2
La Comedia on Calle Comedias has been Malaga's LGBTQ+ nightclub since 2018, steps from Plaza de la Merced, with drag shows and resident DJs Wed-Sat.
TipEntry usually needs a ticket that includes a drink; the room is small and runs until 07:00, so it suits the end of the night.
Kipfer & Lover ★ 4.1
Kipfer & Lover in Malaga's old town is an inclusive LGBTQ+ gastrobar and cultural space with art exhibitions, a book club and live music nights.
TipIts programme mixes art shows, collective readings, micro-theatre and live music; it is closed Sunday and Monday.
Book food experiences in Málaga
Guided tour · 3h 30m
Málaga: Wine & Tapas Tour
Take a culinary tour through Málaga and enjoy the exceptional flair of Spain. Sample some fine wines of the regions and a few original tapas creations.
from€69 Check dates
Guided tour · 3.5 hours
Malaga: Taste Andalusian Flavours & Local Market Delights
Savour 10+ Andalusian tastings in Malaga’s Old Town. Explore Atarazanas Market, taste local sweets, seafood, and wine, and discover the city’s vibrant food culture wit...
from€82 Check dates
Guided tour · 3 hours
Malaga: Tapas Crawl - All included
Discover Málaga on a 3-hour tapas crawl through 4 unique local bars. Taste around 10 dishes with 4 drinks while experiencing the city’s food culture, hidden gems and i...
from€70 Check dates