Tapas, fried fish and MICHELIN stars: the Marbella table, the back story

About Tapas, fried fish and MICHELIN stars: the Marbella table, the back story

By the ULTIMATE Marbella Editorial Team

Marbella eats from the sea and the Andalusian countryside. Its restaurants run from beach chiringuitos grilling sardines to tiny dining rooms with MICHELIN stars, and the rhythm of the day is gloriously late.

The sea first

Andalusian coastal cooking is built on fish: fried fish (pescaíto frito), prawns, clams and the espeto, sardines grilled on a cane skewer over an open fire on the beach. Order a mixed fry and a cold drink at a chiringuito and you have the classic Costa del Sol lunch.

Tapas in the Old Town

The lanes around Plaza de los Naranjos are full of tapas bars, from narrow standing-room counters to terraces under the orange trees. Move from bar to bar, a plate or two in each, as locals do.

In Marbella, lunch can last until the evening, and dinner rarely starts before nine.

The MICHELIN table

Marbella has become one of the most exciting places to eat in southern Spain. Skina in the Old Town holds two MICHELIN stars, and several other restaurants in and around the town have held stars in recent editions. Check the current MICHELIN Guide Spain for the latest distinctions; the new selection is usually announced in late autumn.

Beach restaurants

Along the Golden Mile and around Puerto Banús, beach restaurants and beach clubs serve everything from simple grilled fish to elaborate menus with sunbeds and DJs. Booking ahead is essential at weekends in summer.

Eating late

Spaniards eat late: lunch is usually from about 2 pm, and dinner rarely starts before 9 pm, later still in summer. Many kitchens close between lunch and dinner, so plan around it.

Our advice: have at least one long lunch with fried fish on the beach, book special dinners well ahead in July and August, and do as locals do and eat late.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Tapas, fried fish and MICHELIN stars: the Marbella table, the back story before you go.