Costa del Sol—and its glittering jewel, Malaga—is well-known for its beaches, sunny weather, and, of course, flamenco. It’s a summer destination that you must visit at least once if you can. After all, who doesn’t love the mixture of beach, mountains, and Spanish culture?

You’ll hear many things about why you should visit Costa del Sol, but the food is often forgotten. However, from the famous Spanish tapas to delicious traditional meals, once you try the real deal, you’ll want to eat the food of Malaga, Spain, again and again!

Malaga Food Culture

Food culture is big in Southern Spain. Locals love to meet with family and friends to have some food together, whether it is at home, outside, or at a Costa del Sol restaurant.

When eating in Malaga, you’ll notice the locals take their time to enjoy the food and conversation. Indeed, food in Malaga is a big part of socializing.

From a beach BBQ or Sunday paellas at someone’s house, to tapas at a local bar, tourists often miss out on the opportunity to try authentic traditional Malaga food.

Sure, there are many fun things to do in Malaga; the city lives off tourism. But many Malaga restaurants and bars adapt their meals for tourists, so you’re not being offered the same choices the locals seek out.

And, yes, you’ll see anything from British fish and chips to Turkish kebabs. These offerings might be fine on occasion—but there is absolutely nothing local about them. The truth is, you need to know where to eat to have an authentic Malaga food experience.

The first step is to avoid touristy places and research restaurants in Malaga before visiting the city. The second is knowing what to eat in Malaga. Luckily, you can take care of both of those musts with this Malaga Food guide!

Best Traditional Food in Malaga, Spain

Below are the traditional foods of Malaga and the best places to find them. Remember, Spaniards take eating seriously and meals can last hours.

In addition, dinner usually starts late, around 8:00 pm. So, if you have plans after dinner or want to catch a Flamenco show in Malaga, make sure you look at the restaurant hours ahead of time and try to make a reservation if possible.

Espeto de Sardinas—The Most Famous Food in Malaga

Malaga’s famous dish is sardines! They’re beautifully cooked, and like in other Mediterranean cuisines, they are popular in Andalusia.

You can eat sardines almost anywhere in Malaga and Costa del Sol. However, the best places to enjoy some good fresh sardines are chiringuitos, also known as beach bars in Malaga.

The best places to eat them is not in Old Town Malaga, but at the beach. Every chiringuito has its own barbeque set up inside a small boat.

In the decorative boat, they put the sardines on skewers and grill them. They’re absolutely delicious! These chiringuitos are also a great place to have any other type of fish or seafood—everything is fresh.

Chiringuito preparing Espeto de Sardinas , the most famous food in Malaga. — Chiringuito preparing espeto de sardinas, the most famous food in Malaga.

Ajo blanco—Vegetarian Malaga Soup

Ajo blanco, also referred to as white gazpacho, is a cold vegetarian soup that is a typical food of Malaga and Granada. The main ingredients of this soup are bread, almonds, garlic, water, and olive oil.

The vegetarian Malaga soup is also normally served with a side of green grapes or slices of melon. This combination is perfect for Spain’s hot summer days.

Vegetarian Malaga soup, Ajo blanco — Vegetarian Malaga soup, ajo blanco

Gazpachuelo—Original Malaga Cuisine

Gazpachuelo—sometimes called gazpachuelo malagueño because it originated in Malaga cuisine—isn’t a dish for everyone. It can be a bit fishy, even though Malaga fish is super fresh.

It is a white soup made with white fish (monkfish, kingklip, or hake), prawns, potatoes, mayonnaise, and water.

The best restaurants in Malaga to try a good gazpachuelo are El Merendero de Antonio Martín and Mesón Rincón Catedral.

Original Malaga cuisine, Gazpachuelo — Original Malaga cuisine, gazpachuelo

Camperos—Best Malaga Takeaway

Camperos are big sandwiches made with the traditional round Spanish bread called campero. You’ll find camperos with many different fillings: ham, tuna, chicken, bacon, etc. Once the camperos are filled, they are slightly toasted.

The most traditional campereros Malaga offers is campero de pollo, which consists of grilled chicken, tomato, lettuce, cheese, and mayonnaise.

There are plenty of places where you can eat a campero in Malaga, but you’re most likely to find them in hamburgueserías (burger bars).

Camperos are a popular option for takeaway, so if you’re in rush or you want something that won’t take long to be served, these a great choice.

The best Malaga takeaway, campero de pollo

Ensalada Malagueña—a Traditional Malaga Food

This potato salad brings you a taste of summer presented in big flavors. The salad is made with potatoes, boiled eggs, onion, orange, tuna or cod, olives, vinegar, salt, and olive oil.

Although that is the traditional recipe, nowadays, you can find a few additional variations. Some Malaga restaurants even offer vegetarian and vegan options.

The traditional Malaga food, Ensalada Malagueña

Plato de Los Montes—A Popular Food in Malaga

This is a hearty Spanish dish that any meat lover will enjoy. Plato de los montes (translated as “dish from the mountains”), consists of pork loin, chorizo, morcilla (black pudding), chips, fried peppers, and a fried egg. It’s also sometimes accompanied by migas (fried bread crumbles).

You’ll find this popular food in Malaga in the famous ventas. A venta is a restaurant in Malaga, Spain, located near the motorway. The best ventas en Malaga are Venta Los Montes and Venta El Túnel.

Popular food in Malaga, Plato de Los Montes — The popular food in Malaga, Plato de Los Montes

Tortas locas—Malaga Sweet Treat

Malaga tortas locas, also simply known as locas, are sweet, rounded pastries filled with custard and topped with orange frosting and a cherry. Locals normally eat them for merienda—a small meal in the late afternoon.

In the past, tortas locas were a Malaga sweet that only the upper classes could afford. Nowadays, they are affordable for everyone. You can find them in any bakery in Malaga.

You can find some of the best bakeries in Malaga near the city centre: La Canasta, El Colmenero and Panadería Pastelería Christian.

Salchichón de Málaga—Spanish Charcuterie

Like Italian salumi, Spanish charcuterie is very popular, especially jamón Ibérico (Spanish cured Iberian ham). The Prolongo company, located in Malaga, has been producing sausages and ham of great quality since 1820.

This is the company that created Malaga’s traditional salchichon, a pork and beef sausage with secret seasoning. What makes it stand out from others is its soft texture and unique flavor.

Although you can eat it by itself or accompanied by bread, this salchichón is also used to make dishes such as salchichón tartar or pâté and filling of croquettes.

Check out these fun captions for your social media: Charcuterie Board Quotes

Salchichón de Málaga and Spanish charcuterie at the Malaga market

Pescaíto frito—Traditional Malaga Tapas

One of the most traditional tapas in Malaga is a classic Spanish dish that consists of different types of deep-fried fish and seafood (such as anchovies, squid and kingklip).

They are presented together in a dish and served with some mayonnaise or aioli on the side.

You’ll find pescaíto frito in most Malaga tapas bars. Or you can try them in one of the many restaurants in Costa del Sol. However, my top place to have pescaíto frito is Los Mellizos restaurant in Malaga.

Traditional Malaga tapas, Pescaíto Frito — Traditional Malaga tapas, pescaíto frito

Vino de Malaga—Malaga Wine

Malaga has its own wine! Vino de Malaga is sweet wine made from Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel grapes. You can buy this Malaga wine in any souvenir shop, but buying it from a supermarket will save you some money.

Vino de Malaga with Espeto — Vino de Malaga with espeto

Torrijas—Tasty Malaga sweet

Another traditional Malaga sweet that is more seasonal is torrijas. They are prepared during Easter week. So, if you happen to be visiting Malaga during that time of the year, you simply must eat some torrijas!

If you’re wondering what they are, torrijas are similar to French toast. The main difference, however, is that they are first soaked in sweetened milk infused with orange and cinnamon before getting dipped in beaten egg.

Tasty Malaga sweet, Torrijas, Spanish-style French toast — Tasty Malaga sweet torrijas, Spanish-style French toast

Malaga Ice Cream

Although ice cream isn’t a Spanish invention, you can find really good ice cream in Malaga. And, summer is very warm (30° to 40°C), so you’ll need something to cool you down.

There are plenty of heladerias (ice cream shops) that have a wide variety of flavors. You’ll find anything from conventional strawberry ice cream to avocado ice cream. But Malaga ice cream is its own flavor made with Malaga wine and raisins!

In addition, you’ll be surprised by finding other less common ice creams, such as helado de sardinas (sardine ice cream), helado de chicle (chewing gum ice cream), and helado de boquerones (anchovies ice cream).

The best Malaga ice cream shops are Casa Mira, located in Calle Larios (the city’s main shopping street), Heladería Kalúa (which has several locations across Malaga), and Heladería Inma, in the neighborhood of Las Delicias.

Doubtless, Heladería Inma is my favorite. If you decide to go to this ice cream shop, it’s very likely you’ll have to queue to get ice cream, but it’s worth the wait.

Best Malaga Markets

Mercado de Atarazanas—Food Market in Malaga

A place you don’t want to miss during your stay in Malaga is the central market, Mercado de Atarazanas. In this food market, you’ll find all sorts of fresh meat, fish, vegetables, spices, and so much more!

Not only is it a great place to taste the local food in Malaga, but you’ll have a chance to contemplate the beautiful architecture of the entrance, as well as marvel at the art in the glass window inside the market.

Although the market is surrounded by many restaurants and bars, don’t blow this opportunity to go to Bar Mercado Atarazanas inside this Malaga market. This spot serves truly delicious fish and seafood.

However, if you don’t fancy fish or seafood, there are other traditional Malaga tapas bars inside the market that offer other great options.

Another way to visit the market and taste the food is by booking a Malaga food tour. You’ll be able to sample traditional food and wines and learn more about the Malaga food culture.

Mercado de Huelín—The LocalS’ Malaga Market

Another good market is Mercado de Huelín, located in the Huelín neighborhood. This is a very popular market for locals, so it will be plenty busy—but you’ll definitely see fewer tourists.

The best Malaga market, Mercado de Atarazanas

Instagrammable spots to have a meal or drink in Malaga

Room Mate Valeria Rooftop—Malaga Rooftop Bar

Room Mate Valeria is a hotel, but you don’t need to stay in the hotel to be able to enjoy their rooftop bar.

This is the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing cocktail with a loved one or friends while looking at the beautiful view of Malaga’s port.

La Bella Julieta—Best Breakfast in Malaga

La Bella Julieta is a modern cafe that serves delicious breakfast and lunch. You can order anything from milkshakes loaded with toppings to red velvet cake and hot sandwiches.

The cafe has become a very Instagrammable spot, not only for its chic decoration and atmosphere but because it’s one of the best places to eat in Malaga.

El Pimpi—Local Malaga Restaurant

If you’re after a local Malaga food and culture experience, El Pimpi is the best option for you. The location of this Malaga restaurant/wine cellar is perfect, just opposite Alcazaba de Malaga and the Roman theatre. However, the best thing about El Pimpi is the food.

This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Malaga in which to enjoy authentic Spanish dishes made with local fresh products, such as extra virgin olive oil, bull egg tomato, cured Iberian ham, and the sweet wine made out of moscatel grapes.

The menu is also seasonal, which makes it even more exciting.

Last but not least, this Malaga tapas bar has weekly events featuring live flamenco.

Final Thoughts on Food in Malaga

Now you know what and where to eat in Malaga. Everything you need to know in order to enjoy the traditional foods of Malaga and conduct your very own Malaga food tour is now at your finger tips.

After exploring the food in Malaga, continue along the Costa del Sol and check out the markets and foods of Cadiz.

Are you planning a trip to Malaga? What Malaga foods are you looking forward to eating? Let us know in the comments!

About the Author

Author of Guide to Malaga Food & Restaurants

Cristina Reina is a Spanish expat currently living in the UK. She is the founder of My Little World of Travelling, a travel blog that inspires female travelers to live abroad and have more authentic local experiences. Find Christina online on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.