These are the 25 restaurants, taverns, and bars recommended by the 'Guía Repsol' if you come to the Malaga Festival.

With the midpoint of the 28th edition of the Málaga Festival behind us and facing the final stretch among many screenings, great films, and even greater actors and actresses, it is the Repsol Guide, which recently awarded recognitions to Beluga –a Repsol Sun–, Alita Soho, Asador Iñaki, Aviva, Base9, El Chiringuito, Hermanos Alba, and Tragatá Málaga –Recommended–, that lays out a list of good options for dining during the last days of this film event in downtown Málaga.

The list of suggestions begins with La Odisea (Subida Coracha, 2), which they mention as a "wine bar awarded a Solete that boasts a delicious terrace where residents and tourists mingle", undoubtedly a great stop for some wines and a board of cheeses or Málaga sausage. Next is Mi Niña Lola Terrace (C. Campos Elíseos, s/n), noted for "offering the art of tapas and dishes with multicultural flavors with fantastic views". They raise the stakes with two restaurants with a Repsol Sun. First, they recommend Godoy (P.º del Muelle Uno), "where you can taste the best of the Mediterranean, from classic fried fish from Málaga to the unique razor clams highly appreciated by the locals", and then José Carlos García (Plaza de la Capilla, 1), praised for its "tasting menu based on technique and product".

They continue recommending classics, such as El Merendero de Antonio Martín (Pl. de la Malagueta, 4), mentioned as a "chiringuito that has evolved to offer classic local bites like gazpachuelo or varied Málaga-style fried fish, in addition to rice dishes and many other snacks". They also highlight Refectorium Malagueta (C. Cervantes, 8), a "neighborhood restaurant that bets on products, proximity service, and a cuisine that is never forgotten" or even more centrally located Balausta (C. Granada, 57-59), which offers "a menu that draws from Málaga tradition but adds a contemporary vision".

In the vicinity of Plaza de la Merced they bet on restaurants like Ta-Kumi Málaga (C. Mundo Nuevo, 4), "the best option in the entire city for enjoying sushi"; Cañadú (Pl. de la Merced), a "historic vegetarian spot known for its splendid and solid daily menu"; Bodegas El Pimpi (C. Granada, 62), undoubtedly a "great classic of the capital and a must-visit to delve into the essence of Málaga"; also Zury (C. Santiago, 4), an "irreverent tavern for tapas and dishes to share"; as well as Pizzamore (C. Álamos, 45), which offers "fine Italian cuisine"; two burger joints that add "the carnivorous touch" like Gottan Grill (C. Álamos, 12) and GOAT (C. San Juan de Letrán, 13); and lastly, Nonna (Pl. María Guerrero, 7), an ice cream shop that provides "the sweet touch for dessert".

They make a special mention of pedigree offerings in downtown Málaga such as the three restaurants that carry the stamp of chef Dani Carnero, such as Kaleja (C. Marquesa de Moya, 9), La Cosmopolita (C. José Denis Belgrano, 3) and La Cosmo (C. Císter, 11); another notable chef Carmine Guarino and his Mura Mura Osteria (C. Duque de la Victoria, 5); or the recently 'starred' Emi Schobert, with Blossom (C. Strachan, 11); defined by the Repsol Guide as "sure hits".

If you're looking for "more casual tapas", they recommend places like La Campana (C. Granada, 35), Casa Lola (C. Granada, 46 – C. Strachan, 11 – Pl. de Uncibay, 3-5), La Farola de Orellana (C. Moreno Monroy, 5) or La Cepa (C. Strachan, 12); while they conclude their recommendations with Rocío Tapas y Sushi (Av. de Isaac Peral, 27), "one of those well-known secrets for enjoying an exquisite menu based on Japanese tradition", and the only one not located in the central district.

The 25 Repsol Guide gastronomic recommendations during the Málaga Festival

1. La Odisea
2. Mi Niña Lola Terrace
3. Godoy
4. José Carlos García
5. El Merendero de Antonio Martín
6. Refectorium Malagueta
7. Balausta
8. Ta-Kumi Málaga
9. Cañadú
10. Bodegas El Pimpi
11. Zury
12. Pizzamore
13. Gottan Grill
14. Goat
15. Nonna
16. Kaleja
17. La Cosmopolita
18. La Cosmo
19. Mura Mura Osteria
20. Blossom
21. La Campana
22. Casa Lola
23. La Farola de Orellana
24. La Cepa
25. Rocío Tapas y Sushi