Costa del Sol Guide

Marbella Restaurants

Welcome to the best Marbella Restaurant guide where you can find information on the main Marbella restaurants along with truthful reviews. Here you will find information on restaurants in Marbella from the town centre, restaurants in old town Marbella, restaurants on the Marbella Golden Mile, restaurants along the Marbella promenade and beach areas right down to restaurants in San Pedro de Alcantara and Guadalmina (the most westerly point of Marbella).

Restaurants on the Marbella Golden Mile

The Marbella Golden Mile was the former stretch of coastline that was home to the Marbella ‘elite’. This is the section that was first discovered and developed by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe where he built the famous Marbella Club Hotel. Now the Golden Mile is home to various hotels such as the 4 star Marbella Club, the 5 star Puente Romano, the NH Alanda and the 5 star Guadalpin. As you would expect from a resort like Marbella there are a number of fine quality restaurants on the Golden Mile from Sushi to Tapas from informal and relaxed restaurants to classy upmarket establishments. Below you will find information on various restaurants in Marbella and being a Marbella restaurant guide we will, wherever possible add a personal review of the restaurant.

Spanish Style Restaurants on the Marbella Golden Mile

3 Olivos – This is a traditional grill style restaurant serving both fish and meat dishes. It is open each day for both lunch and dinner and is located on the left side of the Golden Mile (heading towards Marbella centre) just near the former Tony Romas rib restaurant. Telephone: 952 867 599.

El Portalon – This is an upmarket traditional Spanish restaurant that has an extensive wine list. Reservations are recommended on 952 827 880. It is open daily for both lunch and dinner except Sundays  

Italian Restaurants on Marbella’s Golden Mile

Villa Tiberio –  This is a very popular Italian style restaurant serving both traditional Italian dishes and international cuisine. It is a beautiful setting for summer al fresco dining. It is highly recommended that during the summer you make reservations well in advance. Villa Tibero is located on the right hand side of the Golden Mile just after the Marbella Club hotel. There is ample off road parking at this restaurant and the telephone number for reservations is 952 771 799. It is open each day apart from Sundays for dinner.

Brief Review of Villa Tiberio on Mabella Golden Mile: Heaven! What more can I say? This restaurant in Mabella is an institution and is frequented by residents, tourist, the rich and the famous. Just visit Villa Tiberio and take a look at all the photos on the wall of all the well known faces that have eaten there. The food is sublime and the atomosphere is elegent and refined.

Dual – A relative newcomer to the area, this Italian restaurant is both stylish and comfortable. It is open Tuesdays to Sundays for lunch and dinner. 952 925 250

Da Brunos – This is a popular chain of restaurants in Marbella and the Golden Mile venue always looks full up and very inviting

French Restaurants on the Golden Mile Marbella

Nestor – A popular French restaurant located right on the edge of the Marbella Golden Mile / Puerto Banus. They have daily specials, theme nights and a new piano bar. 952 929 020

International Restaurants on the Golden Mile Marbella Tony Romas -  CLOSED – There is a restaurant with similar food in its place and information will be added soon.

The Suite – Located in the luxurious Puente Romano Hotel, this restaurant is best described as a modern fusion eatery with a Morrocan influence. During the summer months the location moves from the hotel down to the beach front and at around mid night on Thurday, Friday and Saturday nights it transforms into one of the most popular and exclusive night clubs of the area. The restaurant in now open for lunch and dinner and it is recommended that you make a reservation on 952 775 766.

Babilonia – Located just off of the Golden Mile on the road to Istan this restaurant is one of the most exclusive Marbella has to offer. It is situated in the piano bar of the luxury night club Olivia Valere. Open Friday and Saturday for dinner. Telephone 952 828 861.

Tony (Toni) Dallis – One of the most established restaurants in Marbella with a loyal following this restaurant has an international menu and is well worth a visit. It is not uncommon to be treated to a live performance by Mr Dalli himself. Tony Dallis is located at the beginning of the Golden Mile (Peurto Banus end) on the right hand side of you are heading to Marbella. Telephone number is 952 770 035

La Meridiana –  Upmarket restaurant serving a wide variety of international cuisine. It is open daily for dinner and reservations can be made by calling 952 776 190

Marbella Club Grill – Situated in the Marbella Club Hotel, this establishment is well worth a visit. It is set in luxurious surroundings and has an international menu available daily for dinner. Telephone 952 822 211

M.C. Café – Another eatery located within the Marbella Club Hotel. This restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner and is one of the trendiest places to have a meal. Telephone 952 768 936 Address: Marbella Club Hotel, Bulevar Principe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, Marbella

Brief Review of M.C.Café – Very cosmopolitan ambience and a superb lunch time venue (open at night too but personally I prefer it for lunch). Quite buzzy and offers a brasserie style menu. Good wine list and good choice of food cooked to perfection. Recommended although it is not on the low budget circuit.

Sukho Thai – Sitauted just past the Marbella Club hotel this Thai restaurant is one of the most popular Asian eateries in the area. It serves traditional Thai food in a comfortable setting. Telephone 952 770 550. (open everyday for dinner except Sundays)

Brief review of Sukho Thai: Quite a small restaurant inside, or so it seemed but tastefully decorated. Good standard of food with a decent selection of dishes to choose from.

Tai Pan – Located in the grounds of the Puente Romano Hotel, this restaurant serves the finest Chinese food to be found anywhere on the coast. The restaurant is open daily for dinner and reservations can be made on 952 777 893

If you like your Chinese food then you are in for a real treat. This restaurant has been serving food for as long as I can remember and is by far the best Chinese restaurant on the Costa del Sol (in my humble opinion). The food is always cooked to perfection and there are some delightful specials avaiable each time we visit. It is not a cheap meal out but well worth the money and I cannot wait to go back again.

B. Ayres – Located in Bouleavard Principe Hohenlohe this is a brand new restaurant to the area this year (2008) offering good home style Argentinian food. Call 952 863 922 for booking information.

Noro – Another new restaurant to the Marbella Golden Mile although the owners are experienced and successful restaurateurs with a number of well known establishments already flying high in the same area. This restaurant offers Japanese, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine. Located in the Coliseum Centre on the Golden Mile. Call 951 968 068 for reservations.

Restaurants in Marbella Old Town

Old Town Marbella (Casco Antiguo) is one of the most visited areas of Marbella. Here you will find literally dozens of restaurants from small tapas bars through to elegent and stylish retaurants. Spanish style restaurants in Old Town Marbella

Zoizoi – A highly recommended restaurant situated at Plaza Altamira in an old converted house, this restaurant has a great atmosphere and is open everyday for dinner except Sundays. Telephone 952 858 868 Plaza Altamirano-1 Marbella Old Town

Brief Review of Zoizoi in Mabella Old Town: Have eaten here a couple of times, once in the winter and once in the summer. Both times the food was superb and the service amazing. I would describe the food as upmarket continental with a definite Spanish influence.

Puerta del Principe (Asador de Carnes) – Part of the popular La Pesquera chain this restaurant is a meat grill serving beautifully grilled meats straight from the BBQ or grill. Address: Plaza de la Victoria, Casco Antiguo

La Pesquera – One of the many highly acclaimed fish restaurants in Marbella. Although this is part of a chain the food certainly does not suffer. Amazing grilled fish (a la plancha) or fried fish, seafood and of course paellas. Address: Plaza de la Victoria, Casco Antiguo

La Valencia – This is one of the busiest tapas bars in Marbella serving a great selection of authentic tapas and Spanish dishes. Luckily they have two restaurants in Marbella, the other being on the approach to the promenade.

Brief review of La Valencia – Don’t expect luxurious surrounding, peace or quiet, this is afterall an authentic Spanish restaurant and tapas bar. Do expect brash Spanish waiters rushing around and lots of noisy diners, all of which just adds to the amazing atmosphere. Highly recommended and the food is just sublime.

International restaurants in Old Town Marbella

La Comedia – Located in the heart of the old town in Plaza de la Victoria, this popular restaurant has recently been taken over by new owners. It continues to serve some of the finest international cuisine and is open for dinner each day except Monday. Telephone 952 776 478

Buenaventura – This fabulous restaurant has a patio area for summer dining and serves creative international dishes backed up with an extensive choice of wines. It is located at Plaza de la Inglesia in the old town and is open daily for lunch and dinners. Telephone 952 858 069

Picaros –  Open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday and serving international cuisine on its Andalucian style patio. Telephone 952 828 650

La Veranda – CLOSED

Orange Tree - Located just off of Orange Square in Marbella Old Town this Marbella restaurant serves creative food with a new menu every six weeks to keep you coming back for more. Call 952 924 613.

Zafferano – This Italian restaurant is in a renovated townhouse and has a great ambience Modern Italian food in elegant surroundings. Located in Calle Gloria 12, Old Town Marbella. Call 952 863 125.

Brief review of Zafferan Italian Resturant in Marberlla Old Town: Not the easiest restaurant to find but have to say it certainly is an elegent establishment. The decor was very upmarket and the staff were very helpful and friendly. We ate here on a cold night in the winter and it was not overly busy but the food was superb.

French Restaurants in Old Town Marbella

Casanis –  Located at the very top of the old town (Calle Ancha, 8), this restaurant offers the finest French cuisine in Marbella. It is open Monday to Saturday from mid day onwards. Telephone 952 765 583

Brief review of Casanis – I love food and being a French influenced restaurant I knew I was in for a treat. Wonderfully cooked food and a magnificent wine list (a bottle of Domain OT Rosé at a price that did not break the bank). Also if you are lucky enough to have picked the right day they have succulent Brittany Oysters.

Argentinian Restaurants in Marbella Old Town

Tanguito – Meat lovers will love this restaurant. Stunningly good Argentinian steaks, Chateaubriand and other selected grilled meats. You don’t have to be a meat eater for this restaurant but if you are it helps. This is not the easiest restaurant to find if you are a newcomer to Mabella Old Town. It is located up a narrow street just just off of Orange Square (Plaza de los Naranjos). If you enter via the first entrance to the old town, head up until you see Pesquera. Turn right and walk past Pesquera (on your left). Keep heading up towards the main Orange Square but just before you get there you will see a narrow street on your left. Open Monday to Saturday from 19.30. Telephone 952 863 520 Address: Calle Buitrago 2, Old Town Marbella

Brief Review of Tanguito: Well it does not get much better than this if you want a beautifully cooked steak. Have been here a couple of times and on both occasions the steak was cooked exactly the way I asked it to be. Everyone enjoyed their food and the wine list was extensive and reasonable.

Restaurants in Marbella Centro

Italian Restaurants in Marbella Centre

Da Brunos – This chain has 3 restaurants in the Marbella area. They all serve Italian food and are located on Ricardo Soriano, the Paseo Maritimo and on the Golden Mile. Telephone 952 857 521

Brief Review of Da Brunos: I have found these restaurants a bit hit and miss. Sometimes the food has been superb and the service excellent but on other occasions the food has been sub standard with poor service. However, it is certainly worth a try and hopefully you will eat on a good day and thoroughly enjoy your meal. UPDATE – Ate in the Da Brunos on the promenade in Marbella for my birthday in July 2008 and everyone had a superb meal. Service was spot on and very attentive.

Spanish Restaurants in Marbella

La Valencia – As detailed above under the Marbella Old Town restaurants guide this is a superb Spanish restaurant serving great tapas and Spanish dishes in a busy authentic environment. This restaurant is very easy to find. Just follow the main road, Ricardo Soriano until you come to the Cafeteria Marbella, which is directly opposite the Old Town. Head down the road towards the sea (the one with the horse and carts) and at the end on your left is La Valencia. Telehone 952 865 543 Address: Avenida Fontanilla 4, Local 3-4, Marbella

Restaurants along the Marbella Paseo Maritimo (The promenade and beach)

Garum – This restaurant is owned by the former owners of La Comedia and serves a fabulous mixture of modern and fusion cuisine right on the beach front. It is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner (closed Mondays) and is highly recommended. Telephone 952 858 858

Brief Review of Garum: This restaurant is located on a fabulous position along the Marbella promenade with seating outside on a terrace area as well as inside. The terrace area is set back from the main drag so you are not sitting directly on the promenade which is nice as it gives you a little more privacy.

The food is fabulous!! It is very modern international cuisine with some real gems on the menu. The service is second to none and the owner is a real character.

Messina –  Located just off of the Paseo at Avenida Severo Ochoa, 12. This restaurant has moved from it’s former old town location and serves creative international cuisine. Open Monday to Saturday from 8pm. To reserve a table call 952 864 895

Marbella Club Chiringuito – Situated right on the beach, this luxurious restaurant serves fabulous snacks and gourmet cuisine. After lunch you can relax on one of the stylish sunbeds with a cocktail or two. Telephone 952 822 211

Mocca Cafe – Situated on the outskirts of the town centre just before the old fishing port, this stylish cafe style restaurant is open for lunch from Monday to Friday. If you have some feedback on restaurants you have been to in Marbella then why not let us and potential diners know what you thought.

Restaurants near Puerto Banus

La Sala Puerto Banus – This is a new restaurant for the Marbella area located at the foot of the road that leads up to Centro Plaza Nueva Andalucia. Just think trendy UK city centre restaurant and bar and you will have an idea of La Sala Puerto Banus. For more information and a full review see our Puerto Banus Restaurants page