The tapas in Torremolinos have a lot of substance and flavour. Although tourism from all over the world has internationalised the food scene to the extreme, the town still has a very Andalusian feel. From a gastronomic perspective, this means that there are many bars and small restaurants where you can still enjoy the tapas tradition.
In fact, many people, both locals and tourists, choose to go bar hopping, trying each one’s tapas, rather than sitting at a table in just one restaurant. For those interested in trying out this lively Spanish tradition, below we show you the bars and restaurants where you can enjoy this, plus a list of some of the best places and what you can find there.
- Mejores zonas para tapear en Torremolinos
- Tapas estrella de Torremolinos
- Bares de tapas más populares en Torremolinos
Mejores zonas para tapear en Torremolinos
There are many tapas bars spread throughout Torremolinos, even in the less touristy neighbourhoods. Nevertheless, there are certain areas where the concentration of tapas bars is much higher. Logically, the pedestrianised centre is the most well known. It is a relatively large area linked to the pedestrianised Calle San Miguel, which can be divided into several sub-areas.
The main one is Calle San Miguel itself, where you will find several bars and restaurants, as well as all kinds of shops. Just a stone’s throw away is Calle Danza Invisible (named after a famous Spanish pop band from the 1980s and 1990s), where there are also several eateries specialising in tapas and popular Andalusian and Spanish cuisine. Next to Isabel Manoja Avenue is La Nogalera Square, where you will also find plenty of tapas bars. There you will also see the so-called Pueblo Blanco, an apartment complex with several nightlife venues and the occasional bar serving tapas.
Some traditional tapas bars can also be found on the steps leading down to Bajondillo Beach from Calle San Miguel, or behind the beach itself. Bajondillo is also well known for its beach bars and clubs, some of which provide tapas, with very long hours during the day or even at night.
Finally, you can also have tapas in the many bars, restaurants and refreshment stalls located along the other large beach in Torremolinos: La Carihuela. This area is probably the most local in terms of cuisine and tends to be frequented by families.
Tapas estrella de Torremolinos
Speaking of tapas in Torremolinos, which is to say, typical Malaga food, you must always order a sardine skewer, i.e. sardines cooked over wood-fired grills in their own juices. And then, of course, there is fried fish (‘pescaíto frito’). Each species (anchovies, sardines, cuttlefish, small squid, baby squid, red mullet, etc.) has its own best season, so it is a good idea to ask and let the bar staff guide you before ordering.
Especially in the summer, among the most common tapas in Torremolinos are the cold soups, of which ‘ajo blanco’ and ‘gazpacho’ are the true stars. Among the cold soups, there is also ‘gazpachuelo’, made with fish broth, potato, mayonnaise, and shrimp, accompanied by rice or slices of bread, and ‘porra antequerana’.
It is also very common to order a tapa of ‘pipirrana’, the Malaga version of a seafood salad, with tomato, red and green peppers, onion, and lots of olive oil. And no less delicious are the fish and meat balls, served in an almond sauce. There is also escargot, a seasonal tapa that is a true delicacy, served with this sumptuous dressing.
Of course, the menus of most tapas bars in Torremolinos usually include croquettes (with a large variety of fillings), Russian potato salad, potato omelette, and fried chicken strips.
Bares de tapas más populares en Torremolinos
La Pepa (Danza Invisible, 5)
The motto of this bar is ‘tapas as a way of life’. This concept has been put into practice with such compelling and original offerings as the Ukrainian with fried egg (a version of the Russian potato salad), the tuna sandwich, the sweet Thai prawns, and the salmon tartar on crispy rice.
Casa Juan Los Mellizos (San Ginés, 20)
In the food area of La Carihuela, this restaurant is in great demand for celebrations and large meals. Nevertheless, you can also enjoy its tapas. Seafood, the fish of the day and rice dishes are the stars there.
Zabor Fetén (Cruz, 10)
This restaurant’s unconventional menu includes tapas such as spicy Spanish black pudding, piggy and apple or oxtail croquettes (among others), black pudding brownie, pulled pork taquito, and fried green plantains with shredded pork.
D’Graná Tapas (Casablanca, 27, local 6)
This bar is a tribute to Andalusian cuisine in the form of typical tapas and portions, although with a touch of sophistication and creativity. There is always something for everyone: fish roe, fried meat, ham and cheese rolls, Iberian meat, croquettes, octopus, oxtail, etc.
Caléndula Tapas (Skal, 6)
Next to Bajondillo Beach, this bar and restaurant stands out for its tapas and portions with a modern and creative concept. For example, its version of the ‘porra antequerana’ is with orange, smoked cod and olive spread. And there are also ingenious dishes such as the cheese ferrero with red pepper jam plus the tuna tartar, tartufata and quail egg toast.
El Gato (Paseo Marítimo, 1)
Eating at this restaurant’s terrace overlooking the sea is a real pleasure. The tapas include pil pil prawns, chicken, soy and kimchi mayonnaise gyozas, chicken strips in sesame batter, a toast with smoked sardines from Barbate and gazpacho and, of course, the El Gato style patatas bravas.
El Dorado (Peligro, 2)
This is a classic with a lot of quality and very close to the beach (Bajondillo), where you can try tapas such as seafood ‘pipirrana’ salad, fried fish (the fresh anchovies are almost a must), meatballs with sauce, potato omelette and barbecued chicken wings. This is just as an example since there is something for almost everyone on the menu.
La Taberna K Pasa (Carmen, 6)
In the La Carihuela area, this place serves very Andalusian and Malagenian tapas, from fried or pickled fish to Iberian pork. It also has other delicacies such as artichokes (in season), fried meat, ham and cheese rolls, pig’s trotters, meatballs and potato omelette.
Casero La Comida Mediterránea (Skal, 4)
As its name suggests, this is a small temple of Mediterranean cuisine, both from the European and African sides. Therefore, you can enjoy everything from baked chorizo and mozzarella to four versions of Moroccan hummus. There are also mussels in pil pil sauce with Casero style garlic plus Arab croquettes with beef, peas, carrots and potatoes. You will also find lamb meatballs in tomato sauce there.
