As Marbella was my first trip since moving to Spain, I didn’t want to plan too rigorous a schedule and wanted to have plenty of time for discoveries and popping in interesting places as we wandered around.
We got some pointers from our Airbnb host for restaurants close to the coastline, but when it came to Marbella’s old town, I left it to a chance.
I got pretty lucky because we found this little treasure just by looking at Google Maps and checking out the guest photos.
The Farm Restaurant is hidden in a small alley in the old town and focuses on simple but locally sourced organic food, served in a pretty spectacular setting.
It is set in a home built in 1502, one of the oldest ones in town and thankfully a lot of its original features are still very much alive.
After walking through the small hallway we headed straight to the Secret Garden which one one of the main reasons I wanted to visit.
Judge yourself – pretty amazing, isn’t it?
When we arrived we were the first guests as it has just opened the doors for evening service.
As it’s a common custom in Andalusia, people tend to eat quite late and that coupled with the lack of tourists this season meant that we could enjoy any of the most popular places by ourselves in peace.
Before our food arrived, I ventured to the garden with the camera to explore all the hidden tables and garden corners.
My personal assistant tested all the chairs in the house only to confirm that we got the best seats we could, on the terrace, overlooking the whole garden.
Inside the restaurant is an impressive collection of local wines and beautifully decorated interiors.
It is the perfect blend of old and new, history and the future.
The menu is seasonal and typical Andalusian cuisine, but all organic and locally sourced, which is something you don’t see too often in Marbella.
Check the seasonal menu here.
Before the food arrived, we got an opportunity to take a peak at their newly opened accomodation on the first floor above the restaurant.
They have two apartments, each very different with a unique atmosphere. The first one was very much keeping in line with the feel of the place and it’s call the Chimney.
It has a lot of handcrafted features with vintage decorations, furniture and beautifully renovated roof. Despite the fact that the building dates back to 1502, modern touches were not left out when it came to the important parts – it has a very modern yet rustic bathroom and everything you would need in a nice apartment.
The second one is much more grand and feels like sleeping in a chapel. It’s dominated by a bedroom with glass cupola and gold details towering over a red bed.
It also has a mezzanine level and very cool bathroom, plenty of space for a family to stay and enjoy a very unique accomoodation.
You can book any of these two directly on their website here.
Continuing down the stairs along the main hallway, with a poster and sofa I fell in love with.
Just in time for our dinner to be served.
I got vegetarian hamburger, home made guacamole with tortilla chips and my husband got a standard burger.
All delightfully fresh, served beautifully presented and most importantly, very tasty.
If you’re visiting the old town, don’t leave this place out.
If not for the giant feast, pop in for a drink, Spanish tapas and watch live Flamenco performances on hot summer nights.
The essence of Spain in one restaurant visit.
Most Popular Experiences in Marbella
- Gibraltar Day Trip with Pick up from Marbella – see the Gibraltar monkeys in the nature reserve and enjoy free time for duty free shopping!
- Day Trip from Marbella to Morrocco – experience the African continent with an easy and affordable day trip directly from Marbella!
- Marbella: Tour of the Old Town with Tapas & Wine – a treat for all your senses, experience the culinary side of Marbella with a local guide.
- Marbella: Catamaran Tour with Dolphin Watching – see Marbella’s coastline on board of a modern catamaran, and if you’re lucky you will have dolphins for company!
- Day Trip from Marbella to Granada with Tour of Alhambra Palace – marvel at the beauty of ancient Alhambra, and enjoy free time to discover Granada.
- Full Day Trip to Cordoba with Mosque Entrance Tickets – enjoy a trip to the heart of Andalusia and admire one of the most famous churches in Spain, the Mosque Cathedral of Cordoba.
- Day trip from Marbella to Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas – one of the most beautiful towns of Andalusia is within your reach with this short and affordable day trip from Marbella.
Explore More in Marbella
Manuka Restaurant: Health Conscious Eating in Marbella
How to Get from Malaga to Marbella
The Best for Tapas: Taverna Casa Blanca, Marbella
Your Guide to Plaza de los Naranjos: The Orange Square in Marbella
Jungle in the City: Alameda Park in Marbella
Malaga Airport to Marbella: Your Complete Transport Guide
Southern Spain Travel Tips
BEST CAR RENTAL
To rent a car, I highly recommend Discover Cars, an award winning price comparison site for car rentals.
BUS & TRAIN TICKETS
To get the cheapest bus or train tickets, take a look at Omio to find the timetables and prices.
LOCAL TOURS
Local travel companies offer many day trip options from almost all the destinations in Southern Spain. You can check them out here.
HOTELS
I have been using booking.com for all my trips in Spain and abroad, and it’s the best place to book your hotel.
LUGGAGE STORE
If you would like to leave your luggage behind to explore the city on your last day, you can use Radical Storage service, which lets you book luggage storage in all the destinations in Spain.
LOCAL SIM CARD
If you want to avoid surprising extra charges from your operator, you can use a service like Airalo, where you can buy digital packs for e-sim cards.
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