If you’re looking for local recommendations worthy of your taste buds, you came to the right place! I have compiled this selection of the best restaurants in Marbella over a number of my trips to the city (I live close by in Fuengirola!)
Compared to the rest of the destinations on Costa del Sol, I would argue that the overall quality of restaurants in Marbella is much better, especially compared to more touristy places like Fuengirola. Having said that, there are still plenty of tourist traps and overpriced places with less-than-average food.
Most of my trips to Marbella focused on the old town and the coastal area. I have not explored too many culinary options in Puerto Banus or more north of the city – even though I have quite a few places on my list.
I will continue extending my recommendations and updating them continuously, so keep an eye on any newcomers to my top list. In the meantime, I will leave you with the current top picks for the best restaurants in Marbella.
BEST MARBELLA FOOD TOUR
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2023 Best Restaurants in Marbella
Here is my slowly growing list of the best restaurants in Marbella that will satisfy even the biggest foodie.
1. TAVERNA CASA BLANCA
Taverna Casa Blanca is a very special place for me.
It was the first one of the tapas bars I ever visited in Marbella when I arrived there straight after the 3 month-long lockdowns in Spain, nearly 3 years ago.
The restaurant was recommended by our local Airbnb host and I’ve been returning there ever since, on each trip to Marbella. I’m happy to confirm the food quality remains the same – always excellent!
Taverna Casa Blanca specializes in small tapas, with a large selection and delicious flavour combinations to choose from.
The restaurant seems to be a hit among the locals too as we’ve always seen lots of Spanish people dining here, and it gets super busy almost every day.
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Taverna Casa Blanca Details
Location: Calle Alonso de Bazan 8, 29602, Marbella Spain (right next to Alameda Park, at the corner of the road leading to Avenida del Mar)
Contact Details: tel. +34 952 77 24 78
Opening hours: I didn’t find their opening hours on their website, or Facebook page where they are not very active, but they are usually open till late 11pm
2. MANUKA RESTAURANT
Manuka is based on locally sourced ingredients, free from additives, chemicals and preservatives, prepared freshly and mainly focused on plant-based cuisine and locally sourced ingredients, especially vegetables. I know how it could sound – don’t let that put you off – healthy food can be extremely delicious if done well, as it’s the case here.
The food makes this place stand out from the rest of the restaurants in Marbella.
Focused heavily on plant-based options, but not leaving meat-eaters stranded either, the key to their success is sustainably sourced local ingredients packed with flavours and showcased in simple yet effective dishes.
In addition to the quality of the food, I was also pleasantly surprised by the unique ingredients that so rarely make an appearance on the local menus, like cashew cheese, turmeric, Halloumi cheese, kale chips and probiotic yoghurt.
As the name suggests, the menu offers a feast of healthy dining options and traditional dishes with a healthy twist. You can check their full menu here.
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Manuka Restaurant Details
Location: Centro Comercial Plaza del Mar, Calle Camilo José Cela SN, 29602, Marbella
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9.30 am to 17.00 pm. Breakfast is served all day.
Parking: they offer 1-hour free parking in the commercial centre with your purchase
Contact: use their contact form here
3. THE FARM RESTAURANT
The Farm Restaurant is hidden in a small alley in the old town and focuses on simple, 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.
The restaurant has an impressive collection of local wines and beautifully decorated interiors. The highlight is the secluded garden, where they hold flamenco shows on Saturdays (check their Facebook for times and reservations).
The menu is seasonal and typical Andalusian cuisine, but all organic and locally sourced, which you don’t see too often in Marbella.
Check the seasonal menu here.
READ MORE >
The Farm Restaurant Details
Location: Pl. Altamirano, 3, 29601 Marbella (old town)
Contact: contact details on their website
Opening hours: every day from 1pm to 11.30pm
Looking for something a bit fancier? Marbella has also a few Michelin star restaurants which I have not yet visited but are certainly worth exploring!
Recommended Food Tours:
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
How to Spend a Day in Marbella: 1 Day Itinerary
Your Complete Guide to Marbella Old Town
Your Guide to Plaza de los Naranjos
Is Marbella Worth Visiting? All Your Questions Answered
Southern Spain Travel Tips
BEST CAR RENTAL
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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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