The tapas route in Fuengirola is extensive and diverse. In practically every bar, restaurant, terrace and beach bar in this major tourist destination you can enjoy tapas as an alternative to typical sit-down lunches and dinners. Fuengirola also has an near endless variety of establishments.
There are at least two options when it comes to choosing a bar: to enjoy tapas in Fuengirola to the maximum, you can use your common sense, your sense of smell and a little intuition and try your luck in the bars that appeal to you visually. Or you can let yourself be guided by your own criteria and try what the following establishments, widely recognised by customers and specialised websites, have to offer.
- Best areas for tapas in Fuengirola: from west to east
- Fuengirola’s star tapas, beyond the espeto
- Most popular tapas bars in Fuengirola
Best areas for tapas in Fuengirola: from west to east
You can find tapas in Fuengirola in all areas and neighbourhoods of the city, from its beaches to the heart of the town centre or, even further afield, in the outlying residential developments.
The largest concentration of tapas bars and restaurants is between the town’s main urban beach (known as Fuengirola beach), the Town Hall, Parque España, Parque del Sol, the mosque and the marina. In this maze of streets you can find all kinds of food, from the most typical and tasty local cuisine to the creative dishes of new chefs, many of them inspired by dishes from distant countries.
Having a tapa on the seafront on any one of Fuengirola’s urban beaches is a great option, and there is no shortage of dining options on any of them, especially around the marina.
The section of the promenade in front of Los Boliches beach, before reaching the Torreblanca breakwater, is very popular for tapas in Fuengirola.
Finally, any good tapas tour continues eastwards, thanks to the many seafront bars and restaurants along Carvajal beach.
Fuengirola’s star tapas, beyond the espeto
In most tapas bars in Fuengirola there is no shortage of the usual classics of Andalusian and Spanish cuisine: croquettes with all kinds of fillings, Russian salad, potato omelette, crispy chicken strips, olives and pickles and all kinds of Iberian or other cured meats, all of which are safe bets that are served alongside seasonal and more local options.
One gem that is not to be missed is pipirrana malagueña, a version of seafood salpicón, with tomato, onion and peppers generously doused in olive oil. There are also meatballs and fish meatballs served in a tasty almond sauce (a distinctive feature of Malaga’s cuisine), which are also used to accompany snail dishes.
But if there is one must-try tapas dish not only in Fuengirola but all along the Costa del Sol, it is espeto made from sardines, anchovies or other fish and seafood. Skewered onto long, thin rods and roasted over a wood fire, they retain all their flavour thanks to a simple but traditional cooking method.
Of course, when it comes to tapas in Fuengirola there is no shortage of fried fish (anchovies, squid, baby squid, cuttlefish, red mullet, the list goes on). However, be sure to order each one in season. In fact, the more varied the fried foods, the more likely they are to be made with frozen fish.
Finally, on the hottest days, cold soups are the star dishes of many bars, with gazpacho, salmorejo and ajo blanco being the most popular. Outside of the warmer months you will find the always hearty porra antequerana and gazpachuelo, a fish broth with potatoes, mayonnaise and prawns, served with rice or bread.
Most popular tapas bars in Fuengirola
Out of the huge number of restaurants in Fuengirola that specialise in tapas or have a section for them on their menus, we have made the following selection, with different options and prices to suit the tastes of all types of diners.
Bodega Charolais (Larga, 14)
The tapas at this restaurant stand out for their quality, freshness and originality. Examples of the latter include the quail “Chupa Chups” with soy sauce, the courgette fritters with ham and melted cheese and the battered black pudding stuffed with béchamel. You will also find such convincing classics as the dough fritters with fried cod and the fried egg with truffle.
Mesón Salvador (Av, de los Boliches, 97)
Here be sure to order the croquettes and some of the fried fish tapas. Also highly recommended are the rebanadas, slices of bread covered in combinations of different ingredients and flavours.
Casa Colón (Troncón, 2)
Sitting at the bar, on the terrace or at one of the more formal tables in the restaurant, it is easy to sense that this place is on another level: an elegant, distinguished business for tapas and/or a heavier meal based on high quality produce with impeccable service and ambience.
Bodeguita de Tapeo (Marconi, 48)
The value for money at this restaurant close to the seaside promenade specialising in Malaga, Andalusian and Spanish cuisine is truly surprising: unpretentious but very authentic cuisine.
Taberna La Abuela (Torrealta, s/n)
At this restaurant, the bar full of a variety of pinchos is a real temptation. The fish fritters and battered fish, as well as cheeses with various accompaniments, the meatball casseroles and other homemade casseroles and the garlic prawns, particularly stand out.
GastroVinum (Palangreros, 22)
A perfect tapas bar for those who are adventurous when it comes to both food and drinks. In fact, they have an interesting selection of wines and beers. As for the cuisine, Hungarian, British and Spanish fusion reigns here.
La Esquinita (Benalmádena, 1)
This restaurant with a terrace is perfect for a meal made up of larger portions for sharing or a couple of tapas before you continue along your route. The menu is based on traditional dishes as tasty as homemade croquettes, fried aubergines, Galician octopus, mussels (steamed or in a spicy sauce), garlic prawn casserole and Iberian cured meats.
El Patio Gastrobar (Troncón, 11)
Rather than just ‘tapas’, here you can eat medium-sized portions, which, in any case, are perfect for sharing. Both the cuisine and the ambience are very pleasant.
El Octopus (Marconi, 49)
Here you can enjoy classic tapas such as Russian salad, meatballs in almond sauce, salpicón and shrimp omelette as well as less local dishes such as chicken curry and, of course, octopus in various versions.
La Puerta Verde (Miguel de Cervantes, 17)
The establishment’s décor and, above all, the artistic way in which each tapas is presented immediately tell you that this is not your average tapas bar: a place full of sophistication and creativity, complemented by a well-stocked and equally original wine selection.
