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

Perched high in the hills above Fuengirola, this is one of the best fish restaurants on the Costa del Sol. Holder of regular and green Michelin stars, chef Diego Gallegos champions sustainable and healthy cuisine, and his on-site aquaponics facility raises most of the fish and vegetables used here. As a result, 90% of the ingredients are ‘homegrown’ with the remainder sourced locally. Freshwater fish such as trout and sturgeon take pride of place on the tasting menu (four aperitifs plus nine dishes), where you’ll also find organic caviar and smoked fish. 

This justly popular restaurant is housed in an 1860s building that also incorporates an 11th-century Moorish well. Time may have stood still with the setting, but the cuisine reflects a modern twist on traditional dishes, including seafood mains like bacalao con cebolla, miel y pasas con crujiente de espinacas (cod with onion, honey, and raisins) or rabo de novillo con almendras (oxtail stew with almonds). Desserts such as the milhojas de manzana (apple mille-feuille) are also good, and the wine and gin lists are among the best in the city. The restaurant is fronted by a popular terrace and tapas bar (first tapa free) that is generally filled with a boisterous business crowd.

Slow cooking with familiar flavors form the basis of the cozy restaurant around 10 minutes’ walk from Puerta de Purchena. Chef Ginés draws on his decade of cooking in Amsterdam to bring about a unique fusion of local produce with Asian touches. For example, his bullabesa almeriense soup comes with coconut milk instead of mayo, plus a hint of garam masala. Two tasting menus are available: the Almería focuses on traditional, local dishes (six courses, €59) and the house menu (five courses, €49). Wine pairing is available from the extensive list that includes a dozen local labels. The small venue has austere decor, but the dishes bursting with vibrant color more than make up for the plain surroundings.

This restaurant has a loyal following among locals and visitors with its stunning location—the terrace has far-reaching views over the village and to the Strait of Gibraltar (don’t miss the griffon vultures soaring the thermals above you)—and delicious food. Local produce takes center stage, and you can try Casares cheese, suckling goat, and lamb as well as locally sourced tropical fruits and fresh fish from the coast. Highlights on the menu include croquetas de pringá con infusion de hierbabuena (meat croquettes infused with mint), paletilla de chivo (leg of kid goat), and ensalada de remolacha asada y queso de oveja (baked beet salad with cheese).