3 Best Restaurants in Costa del Sol, Costa Tropical, and Costa de Almería, Spain

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Málaga is best for traditional Spanish cooking, with a wealth of bars and seafood restaurants serving fritura malagueña, the city's famous fried seafood. Torremolinos's Carihuela district is also a good destination for lovers of Spanish seafood. The area's resorts serve every conceivable foreign cuisine, from Thai to the Scandinavian smorgasbord. For delicious cheap eats, try the chiringuitos. Strung out along the beaches, these summer-only restaurants serve seafood fresh off the boats. Because there are so many foreigners here, meals on the coast are served earlier than elsewhere in Andalusia; most restaurants open at 1 or 1:30 for lunch and 7 or 8 for dinner.

FIRMVM

$$ Fodor's Choice

One of the eastern Costa del Sol’s foodie treats sits in a pleasant central square with its signature ruby-red feature wall. Chef Sergio González combines the best of local produce with more exotic touches to perfection: the tuna tataki comes with custard apple; and duck, local mango, and grilled avocado accompany the tomato salad. Red tuna takes center stage on the seasonal menu, where you’ll also find fresh fish, grilled meats, and a short list of vegan choices. There are also good-value tasting menus (€70) and an extensive list of tapas that are a gourmet world apart from the rest of the bars in town and on a par with the best in Andalusia.

Messina

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

Between the casco antiguo and the seafront, this innovative restaurant has an unpromising plain exterior, but forge ahead: the interior's contemporary elegance in gray tones and wood make for cozy surroundings for a quiet dinner from chef Mauricio Giovanni, who renewed his Michelin star in 2025. The seasonal tasting menu has an international slant, with more than a sprinkling of Spanish cuisine in its unusual fusion dishes, such as local mini shrimp with blue cheese and gazpachuelo soup with squid. If there are four of you, book the chef's table for a tailor-made menu and a more hands-on dining experience.

Oliva

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

Mediterranean cuisine based on fresh, local produce takes center stage at this restaurant, which has both a minimalist, intimate dining room and a pleasant terrace that's heated in winter. The seasonal menu (it changes four times a year) highlights local fresh produce including fish. Service is excellent, and there's a good-value tasting menu (€65 for eight courses) and an extensive wine list.

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