Almunecar Restaurants

Recommended restaurants in Almunecar fall into three sections. The first section suggests restaurants that are in or within walking distance of Taramay which is east of the town centre (the furthest is no more than a 30 minute stroll away). The 2nd section refers to restaurants in the town centre and the 3rd section is for a few that are a little further afield.

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Restaurants Within Walking Distance of the House in Taramay

Iguana Playa
Playa del Pozuelo
Tel: 958 880014
You'll find Iguana Playa tucked away at the the end of Pozuelo Beach. In terms of location there isn't a better place around. Be sure to walk past the first of the two bars to get there. Run by the very friendly Greek/French family of Nicholas and his sons Dmitri and Yannis this bar/restaurant appeals to all.

As a restaurant the a la carte menu offers a limited choice of quality dishes whilst their Greek and French nights provide something a little different. As a bar there's a fine selection of cocktails, wines and beers and if you're a football fan this is the place to go to watch matches on their giant screen inside.

Tesorillo Chill Out
Playa Tesorillo
Tel: 629 067284
In a delightful location at the back of Tesorillo beach this pizzeria restaurant is popular amongst visitors to the area. They have comfortable wicker chairs at the side of the restaurant where you can relax with an early evening cocktail listening to Bob Marley style music in the background. Also open for paellas and barbecues at lunchtime.

Il Subacqueo
Paseo de Velilla
Web: http://www.playavelilla.es/
Tel: 958 631529
As you head along the beach road from Tesorillo Beach towards Almunecar you'll see Il Subacqueo next to a tiny supermarket in Edificio Sofia. This is a real surprise considering its modest location. The pizzeria is owned and run by Raffaele and his family. Raffaele has two passions in life, cooking Italian food and scuba diving. As soon as you enter his unique restaurant you'll know exactly what I mean as every part of the decor is dedicated to scuba diving. Now take a look at the menu where you'll find about 60 different pizzas on offer including ones which have won prizes for Raffaele (he has won the best European pizza award on three occasions!). There are also plenty of pasta dishes dishes on offer along with a selection of Spanish and Italian beers and wines.

Restaurante Vernissage
Paseo Velilla, 48
Tel: 658 405084
Head further on towards town beyond Il Subacqueo and you'll soon see Restaurante Vernissage set back on your right. This German run place was the first local establishment to introduce non-smoking and quickly acquired a loyal following thanks to their great value daily menu. Their Sunday lunchtime beefsteak option is also an attraction and they cater for vegetarians.

Alhamar
Paseo Velilla, 47
Tel: 958 880762
Next door to Restaurante Vernissage is Alhamar which is a standard Spanish bar/restaurant frequented mainly by noisy locals and visiting Granadinos (people of Granada city). This is not a place for gourmet cuisine but serves up solid Spanish dishes in their dining room or at their outside terrace. Personally I'm a big fan of their 'Pulpo a la Gallega' (Galician octopus) followed by 'Entrecot a la Plancha' (grilled steak) washed down by their house red wine.

Rincon de Velilla
Paseo de Velilla,
Edificio Intiyan, 6
Tel: 958 631387
This is our next recommendation as we continue our walk along the front. Tucked away behind a fence you could easily miss it but you shouldn't. The Dutch owners Wim and Carla are very friendly hosts and the Argentinian bar staff are a great crowd. The quality and range of meals is very good and there are often special offers that you'll find listed on the board outside. They generally do a great "Happy Hour" from 7pm to 8pm when all drinks are two for the price of one. After 8pm normal service is resumed and excellent tapas are normally served with their very good value drinks.

Argentina Steakhouse
Paseo de Velilla 9
Tel: 648 606654
In spite of its name this long established restaurant under new ownership is Scandinavian owned and run so you'll find a selection of Danish specialties on the menu along with their fine selection of delicious steaks. They also offer great burgers as well as pasta and pizza dishes. Their lunchtime Danish buffet is popular with Scandinavian holidaymakers. They are closed on Sunday evening and all day on Monday.

Danny's Bar & Grill
Playa Velilla
Tel: 958 639387
Strictly speaking this isn't a restaurant at all but is a cosy little English bar. However, if you fancy some good homecooked British favourites then give it a try. Paul in the kitchen is well known for his curry nights and his Sunday roasts are well worth booking in advance as the place soon gets full.

Antiguo Meson
Edificio Nécora
Paseo de Velilla, 5
Tel: 958 630493
I've only eaten here once a few years ago and had a nice enough meal. The place seems popular with Spanish visitors so might be worth a try

Il Gabbiano
Playa de Velilla
Tel: 958 880129
Right next to the waterpark at the end of Playa Velilla is this Italian restaurant which has tables outside in the garden with views out to sea. Look out for their lunchtime buffet special which usually offers a good all you can eat for a fixed price.

Casa Antonio
Playa de Cabria
Tel: 958 633007
For many years this was my favourite place to eat in the Almunecar area. Located on a relatively undeveloped beach on the eastern most part of town it dining here suddenly felt as though you'd been transported back to Mediterranean tourism of the 1960's. Unfortunately, the quality of food has deteriorated over the years and prices have risen but I still find myself attracted here for a lunchtime paella and cold beer because the atmosphere of this secluded beachside community is unequalled.

Tito Yayo
Playa de Cabria
Tel: 661 621211
Web: www.titoyayo.com/
This is the first restaurant you come to as you walk from the car park and the quality of food is better than what is being served at Casa Antonio further along. Having said that I still head for Casa Antonio for its supreme location. Tito Yayo offers a varied menu of Spanish favourites including an impressive selection of paella and seafood dishes. They often have live music performances during the summer months.

Calabajio
Parque Mediterraneo
Playa Galera
Tel: 665 633 889
If you're looking for fine dining at the Taramay end of town then this is the place to go. The decor is ultra modern and the food is supposedly excellent (though I can't personally vouch for this). Prices look very high. Please let me know what you think if you decide to give it a try. Keep me posted.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Having lived for a number of years in Almunecar I became very disenchanted with the quality of food being served in many of the local restaurants. There is such a great selection of fresh ingredients available in this part of the world yet rarely did they seem to be used adequately by restaurants. Too often the quality falls short of what should be expected and indifferent (or blatantly rude) service convinced me not to bother returning to too many places.

In making this point I'd strongly recommend that you do not even consider the bar on the beach opposite Alhamar which is a disgrace. You might try Casa Paco where I have had a decent meal but prefer not to return to as I find some of the staff quite ignorant and I've had poor meals at Casa Marianos too often to consider returning.

Try to pick up free copies of "The Sentinella" and "The Seaside Gazette" as a number of the restaurants listed here often have special offers such as a free bottle of wine for diners when an advert in the magazine is shown.

Almunecar Restaurants Around the Town Centre

Arbol Blanco
Avenida Costa del Sol
Urb. Costa Banana
Tel: 958 631 629
Web: www.elarbolblanco.es/
This is one of our favourite Almunecar restaurants whether it's for their excellent value lunchtime menu of the day or for a more elaborate dinner in their lovely dining room upstairs. The owners Jorge and Nacho have always made us feel very welcome and the dishes available are more interesting than some of the standard Spanish fare on offer in a number of restaurants in town. Amongst our favourite dishes are the lamb which is falling off the bone delicious as is the ossobucco whilst the chuletón (T-bone steak) is enormous.

El Chaleco
Avenida Costa del Sol,37
Tel: 958 632 402
Web: www.elchaleco.com
This restaurant just opposite Arbol Blanco at the top of Avenida Costa del Sol near the main N340 is one of Almunecar's more upmarket establishments. El Chaleco offers excellent French inspired dishes to a discerning, mainly foreign, clientele. Guests are made most welcome by Lydia and Carmen at the front of house whilst Renauld slaves away in the kitchen creating exquisite dishes including his popular fixed menu.They are closed on Sunday evening and all day on Monday.

Mar de Plata
Avenida Mar de Plata, 3
Tel: 958 633079
Located in the side street next to the Almunecar Playa Hotel just off Playa de San Cristobal this is one of the best restaurants for fish dishes. One of their specialities is 'Lubina a la Sal' which translates as Sea Bass Baked in Rock Salt. This is a delicious way to cook fish and is not at all salty, the salt simply holds in the juices of the fish creating a very tasty dish. Meat dishes at Mar de Plata are also very good with the lamb and steaks highly regarded. Good food combined with friendly waiters keep the cutomers coming back time and time again.

Los Laureles
C/ La Ribera Baja 14
Tel: 958 069132
Web: www.loslaureles.net/
Accomplished English chef Mark and his Spanish wife Sandra have created a restaurant in Los Laureles which is one of the few fine dining options in Almunecar. Located in delightful surroundings with an attractive terrace this is a place to enjoy top class cuisine. A bit tricky to find so a taxi isn't a bad idea and you can then enjoy some wine from the impressive list.

Meson Francisco II
Calle Alta del Mar, 12
Located amongst the narrow streets of the old town with an outside terrace this is a very popular restaurant amongst visitors. There's a good selection of tapas style dishes to share as well as substantial main courses such as the honey roast lamb which is to die for. Waiters are generally friendly and the service very good.

Los Geranios
Plaza de la Rosa, 4
Tel: 958 634020
Just down the steps from Paseo del Altillo is a pleasant family run place with an upstairs dining room overlooking the square. The lunchtime menu provides good value and the evening a la carte selection offers a good selection of popular dishes served in a welcoming environment.

Restaurante Asia
Calle Larache, 2
Tel: 958 63 58 14
Just opposite the Lidl supermarket and the Friday market area in the town centre is this very good Chinese restaurant. Excellent food and an incredibly cheap lunchtime menu of the day with very efficient and friendly service.

La Yerba Buena
Avenida de Europa
Corner of Pablo Iglesias
Tel: 650 408179
Now owned by the same people who run Jesus y Lute just a few doors away this restaurant serves barbecued meats and fresh fish dishes in their stylish dining room. Haven't been personally since the change of ownership so would appreciate some feedback. They close on Tuesdays.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

The following are restaurants I've seen promoting themselves widely but I've heard nothing about them so cannot comment at the moment:

La Ventura
C/Alta del Mar, 18
Tel: 958 882378
They have a great looking fixed price menu at lunchtime and weekly evening flamenco performances.

Reina Sofia
Paseo Reina Sofia
Tel: 958 631261
Set back on the right as you head into town beyon the waterpark this claims to be Almunecar's "first signature restaurant".

 Restaurants a Little Further Afield

Mirador de Cerro Gordo
Carretera Vieja De Malaga
Tel: 958 349099
Web: www.miradorcerrogordo.com
Driving out of Almunecar towards Nerja along the old Malaga road you'll soon come across this restaurant which has a superb terrace with stunning views along the coast. Try to book a table to coincide with the sunset. Their menu offers a fine selection of excellent dishes and the service is very friendly and yet professional.

El Capricho Otivar
Carretera de Otivar
Tel: 958 645075
Web: www.elcapricho-otivar.es/
This place is an absolute gem and well worth the short drive along the valley and up the hill to Otivar. I'll even tell you what to order! Their speciality is 'Pollo a la Manzana' which is roast chicken with baked apple and it is delicious. You need to call them at least three hours before arriving to order the dish which is served on their huge sun terrace with salad and chips. You can also pre-order their roast lamb if you prefer. They are closed on Mondays except in August.

El Chambao de Joaquin
La Herradura Beach
Tel: 958 640044
Web: elchambaodejoaquin.com

This unique restaurant located right on the beach at La Herradura is a mere 10 minutes drive from Almunecar in the direction of Malaga. It is one of the area's longest established locales where you can enjoy fresh fish dishes every day as well as Argentinian steaks and pasta dishes. Their most famous dish is the giant paella that is cooked on the beach at 2pm every weekend and on dyas of fiestas.

Museo Gastronomico Casa Morgan
Urbanización Montanes
Tel: 958 635775
I cannot personally vouch for this place and have heard mixed reviews about it. All I do know is that its hillside location on the outskirts of town offers fabulous views from its terrace over the town. Its objective is to be amongst the fine dining establishments of Almunecar but I'll need more feedback before I can confirm whether they belong there.