The Rincón de la Victoria Spoon Route 2026 experiences a 98.7% growth

The Ruta de la Cuchara 2026 in Rincón de la Victoria has concluded its latest edition with a growth of 98.7% compared to the previous edition. In total, as detailed by the city council, more than 7,700 tapas were sold, with a direct economic impact exceeding 34,500 euros, involving 27 restaurants from the three localities that make up Rincón de la Victoria.

Specifically, the participation data collected, unlike in 2025, clarify that in 2026, 27 establishments participated, one more than in the previous edition; 7,712 tapas were sold compared to 3,910 the previous year, which has meant, according to the city council, an increase of 97.2%; and a direct economic impact from the sale of tapas of 30,848 euros, which rises to 34,548 euros when adding the prizes with direct impact on the hospitality industry.

List of Awards of the Ruta de la Cuchara 2026

The first prize, which amounted to 1,000 euros, according to the jury, composed of representatives from the associations El Yantar Malacitano, Carta Malacitana, and Mahos, went to Puerto Niza Brasería for its 'Red Tuna Casserole with Crispy Skin'. The jury highlighted the presentation, originality, and service, noting that the establishment "favorably" met all the evaluation criteria set out in the contest rules.

The second prize, of 700 euros, was awarded to La Quisquillosa Playa for their 'Sea Tripe with Potato Cloud'. The third prize, endowed with 500 euros, went to Leche y Miel for their 'Seven Branches Soup', awarded for the use of ingredients, tradition, and the gastronomic heritage of Málaga.

The 'Public's Prize', of 500 euros, was awarded by the route participants themselves to Liceo Playa for their 'Truffled Leek Soup with Matured Beef and Gratinated with Comté Cheese'. The jury also awarded a special mention to Taberna Marinera La Victoria for their 'Malagueñas Cabbages', in recognition of the valorization of Malaga's gastronomic tradition and the good service offered by the establishment.

The format change was made "listening to the restaurateurs"

Francisco Salado, the mayor of Rincón de la Victoria, highlighted the numbers with which the Ruta de la Cuchara 2026 has ended. "It has become one of the most important gastronomic events in the province, and these results show that Rincón has a top-level hospitality industry", he added, emphasizing the "more than 34,500 euros" of direct return in the local hospitality, arguing that this type of initiative "generates real benefits for businesses".

For his part, the Councilor for Tourism, Antonio José Martín, wanted to highlight the evolution of the event's format and the model that the government team has promoted in recent years in events like the Ruta de la Cuchara or the Ruta de la Tapa. "When we decided to bring the Ruta de la Cuchara directly to the restaurants, we did it by listening to the restaurateurs", he remarked, emphasizing that the previous format forced restaurateurs to "double their resources in a way that was not always sustainable".

The councilor also highlighted the value of the contest as a showcase for the sector: “The Ruta de la Cuchara is not just a gastronomic competition, it is an extraordinary opportunity for many residents and visitors to discover restaurants they might not have known about. It is the best showcase we can offer to our hospitality industry, and the response from the public —with 624 registered route participants, double that of last year— proves that this formula works and that we must continue to support it”.