{"id":75736,"date":"2023-06-23T13:41:22","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T11:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=75736"},"modified":"2026-10-01T00:02:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T22:02:39","slug":"where-to-eat-in-marbella","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/where-to-eat-in-marbella\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to eat in Marbella: areas and restaurants"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Marbella has two culinary sides that are best not to mix: the OLD TOWN<\/strong>, with taverns and courtyards serving Andalusian cuisine at reasonable prices, and the the Puerto Ban\u00fas area and the major hotels<\/strong>, international and considerably more expensive. Knowing which area you\u2019re in completely changes how much you\u2019ll pay and what you\u2019ll eat.<\/p>\n

Here you have five specific restaurants in the old town<\/strong>, complete with addresses and details that hardly anyone mentions \u2014 such as which days they\u2019re closed \u2014 and then a map of areas to choose from depending on your plans for the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Make the most of a day in Marbella to taste the best Mediterranean gastronomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book your excursion to Marbella here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Where to eat in Marbella: 5 restaurants in the old town<\/h2>\n

All five are in the old town, just a few minutes\u2019 walk from one another. Always book during the high season<\/strong>: they are small and fill up when opened.<\/p>\n\n

Arco Tapas Bar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Terraza<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most pleasant tapas bars in the old town, with a cosy interior and a terrace right on the pedestrianised street. The menu goes beyond classic tapas: cod croquettes, fish tacos, meatballs and fried aubergine.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong> 14 Peral Street.
Timetable:<\/strong> It opens every day at midday and stays open until the evening. It\u2019s the most flexible of the five.<\/p>\n\n

La Ni\u00f1a del Pisto Tavern<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Inside<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tavern of C\u00f3rdoba cuisine<\/strong> in the historic centre, with walls lined with photographs of bullfighters, artists and writers. It has two areas: the upper floor with tables for a leisurely meal and a bar downstairs for a quick bite to eat.<\/p>\n

What to order: salmorejo<\/strong>, scrambled eggs with ham, croquettes and the oxtail<\/strong>, which is their signature dish.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong> Calle San L\u00e1zaro, 1.
Note:<\/strong> according to their current timetables It is only open in the evenings and is closed on Sundays and Mondays<\/strong>. It\u2019s small and fills up as soon as it opens, so make a booking and confirm your time slot before you go.<\/p>\n\n

La Tienda Casa Curro<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Casa<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is both restaurant and gourmet food shop<\/strong>: you can eat and take home the wine or charcuterie you\u2019ve sampled. It started out offering a selection of charcuterie, cheeses and lomo de orza, and these days it leans more towards the fusion cuisine<\/strong>, with dishes such as sea bass ceviche or tuna tataki.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong> Calle Pantale\u00f3n, 5.
Tender notice:<\/strong> is the most expensive of the five<\/strong> by far. The wine list is its strong point, but it\u2019s worth checking the prices before ordering.<\/p>\n\n

El Patio de Mariscal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Near the Town Hall, Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine at a courtyard<\/strong> which is its main attraction. The seafood paella<\/strong> and the prawns \u2018al pil pil\u2019 are the most popular dish, and they also serve meat cooked on a hot stone.<\/p>\n

One thing that sets it apart: there is live music<\/strong>, and it\u2019s not uncommon for a member of staff to break into an opera aria in the middle of service. It\u2019s mentioned in almost every review.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong> Calle Virgen de los Dolores, 3.
Note:<\/strong> closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays<\/strong> and is only open in the evenings.<\/p>\n\n

El Cortijo Restaurant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A long-established establishment in the old town, open since the late 1960s, and one of the classic places to paella and rice dishes<\/strong> in Marbella. They also serve oxtail and artichokes. It has a terrace with heaters and plenty of space inside.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong> Calle Remedios, 5.
Note:<\/strong> It has rather unusual opening hours for a restaurant: closed on Saturdays and Sundays<\/strong> and it\u2019s only open in the afternoons and evenings. If you\u2019re going at the weekend, don\u2019t count on it being open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you wish, you can enjoy an incredible guided tour of Marbella.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BOOK A FREE TOUR IN MARBELLA<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Places to eat in Marbella<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019d rather decide as you go along, here\u2019s what you can expect in each area.<\/p>\n\n

Old town<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cobbled streets, white houses and the largest concentration of traditional Andalusian cuisine<\/strong>: tapas, fried fish, stews and rice dishes. This is the area offering the best balance between atmosphere and price, and it\u2019s entirely pedestrianised, so it\u2019s the top choice if you\u2019re exploring Marbella on foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find out what to see and do in Marbella<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Plaza de los Naranjos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Terraces<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the heart of the old town, it is Terrace Square<\/strong> and the loveliest spot for al fresco dining. Bear in mind that it\u2019s also the most touristy and most expensive part of the neighbourhood: the streets leading off it tend to offer better value for money whilst retaining the same atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n

Puerto Ban\u00fas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Restaurants<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The marina, with restaurants serving international cuisine, seafood and rice dishes<\/strong> opposite the yachts. It\u2019s the most cosmopolitan and most expensive area of Marbella, and it\u2019s better for dinner than for lunch, as the atmosphere really comes alive after sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discover what to see and do in Puerto Ban\u00fas<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Alameda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"La<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A pedestrian zone between the town centre and the seafront promenade, with a range of more varied and informal<\/strong>: Mediterranean, international, sushi, fusion. This is where the weekday set menus<\/strong> and the most practical option if you\u2019re combining a meal with a spot of shopping.<\/p>\n\n

Beach bars and beach clubs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Beach<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Right on the beach, the star of the show is the sardine skewer<\/strong>, with fried fish, rice dishes and seafood. The beach bars are dotted all along the coast, to the east and west, so there\u2019s almost always one nearby. The beach clubs<\/strong> They\u2019re something else entirely: a better atmosphere, music and long after-dinner chats, and prices in a league of their own.<\/p>\n

The best time for espeto is at lunchtime, when the embers are just right. If you want to know what else to order in the province, you have traditional dishes from M\u00e1laga<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Signature cuisine: Dani Garc\u00eda\u2019s restaurants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Haute<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Marbella is the city of the chef Dani Garcia<\/strong>, who was born there and whose name put Marbella\u2019s cuisine on the international map. It is worth clarifying something, as it causes confusion: the restaurant that bore his name closed in October 2019<\/strong>, just after being awarded three Michelin stars, which he gave up to focus on more accessible projects.<\/p>\n

So Don\u2019t search for \u00abRestaurante Dani Garc\u00eda\u00bb<\/strong>: what Marbella has today are its other venues, all of which are open and considerably more affordable than the previous one.<\/p>\n