we'll be in malaga for 2 days and plan to eat and drink plenty. so where can one find a good paella?
thanks

That's quite a request, as paella is a speciality of the Valencia-eastern region. You can find it here in Malaga, but our dishes are others. I can think already of a place, but shall try to find out several others. I'll be back.

In many bars and Mesones they prepare a big paella to take tapas or raciones from. Some days are good, some better. Such is the case of Meson Jamones La Dehesa, at Alameda Principal, 11. The paella is ready at 13,45 and finished by 14,00, you have to be on time. A proper Paella restaurant I usually go is Socarrat, listed below. What I do not recomend is those ready-made paellas you'll find in some places. Try something different instead.
I am pasting below my updated restaurants recomendations.
MALAGA: EATING RECOMMENDATIONS.
There are many good bars and restaurants; those I mention are my personal choice. If you get a map, you’ll have no trouble finding the places. Besides, these are places well-known by locals, just ask. Time to begin with Tapas is about 1,00 or 1,30 PM. Lunch from 2,30PM. Try to be local and avoid having lunch at 12,30PM.
Tapas bars: from Hotel Larios door cross to calle Moreno Monroy, the ORELLANA (for me the best), and a short walk via calle Fresca to the Cathedral, Plaza del Obispo, to sit and have a drink in our best square. Several options there, including a Cheers, but there is as well a Cañas and Tapas. Another is walking Larios street towards the harbour, on the right, calle Marin Garcia you’ll find LO GÜENO and LA TASCA.
From Plaza Constitucion, take calle Santa Maria, and on the first corner on the left (calle Sanchez Pastor) there is QUITAPENAS, another trad. bar-tavern. It was located nearby, in an old building that fell down, so they had to build a new place. They serve mostly fried fish, squids, shrimps.
In the narrow part of Calle Granada, to the right, (past corner with San Agustin and the Picasso Museum) there is BODEGA EL PIMPI, a must. It is a big place, with another door to Alcazabilla and the Roman Theatre.
In the Alameda Principal you have CASA DEL GUARDIA, a traditional tavern you simply cannot miss, for a drink of our local sweet wines. Beware, it goes fast to the head. Only food there are cold shellfish. Open all day long.
Restaurants: Chances are you’ll eat well any place you choose, but I’ll recommend my choices, with local cuisine.:
Parador de Gibralfaro restaurant, great view. You’ll have to take a taxi. Reservations at 952221902.
For a fish restaurant my choice is EL CALEÑO, at Playas de Pedregalejo. It is about 5 miles to the east. It is a pleasant walk by the seaside, especially if the weather is sunny; if you are not for walking, take a taxi to the Carreterita (Calle Bolivia) corner with Arroyo de los Pilones. There you walk to the beach (10 mtrs. and 50 mtrs left. All stuff is first class. Not to miss Malaga shrimps if available, or Cigalas (these shall raise your bill; do not be afraid to ask if budget is a problem, better avoid surprises). Another dish I like is Fish cooked under a salt crust: pescado a la sal. Tell the man (Chico is his name) I am sending you. Make your reservation (or ask the Hotel clerk do it in your name, they don’t speak fluent English) for the terrace at 952299148.
In the corner of the Arroyo de los Pilones is SOCARRAT, the paella place I recommend. Phone 952293312.
In Malaga center there are many restaurants, most of them good. I usually go to Meson La Cepa at C/. Strachan; Citron, a chill-out place at Plaza de la Merced, corner with C/. Madre de Dios., phone 952226399; And if you want a Japanese with local fusion dishes as well, your place (and mine) is ASAKO, C/. Carretería, 96, phone 952214060.

Thanks very much Josele.

You mention malaga shrimp - is that the sweet shrimp? how is it called in spanish? how much does it usually cost? also how much can i expect to pay for a dish like salt-crusted fish?

are you familiar with granada as well? if you have any recommendations, please share.

thanks.

Malaga shrimp is fished on the bay some times of the year, and you can find them fresh at el Caleño, gamba blanca de Málaga, different to the red one. The price can be 12 to 15 EUR a dozen, size 3 to 4 in. Of sweeter taste are the quisquillas de Motril, which you find occasionally. The fish "a la sal" depends on the weight and kind of fish, generally serves two; better ask directly, as it is worth tasting.

In Granada there are many places as you walk by. Restaurants I have been to and I recommend are: Ruta del Veleta, very handy as it is very near when you drive to the Alhambra. And these 3 in the city center: Las Tinajas; Chikito; Sevilla; in these last two you can eat at the bar too, same dishes served as raciones, faster and cheaper. Google for them adding restaurant and Granada.

Bookmarking - a lot of great info here!

Right, but the price for shrimps has increased in the past year!!!