The best fried fish in Málaga can be tasted in 2026 at La Mariscá seafood restaurant, in Málaga city.

The Malagueña fry-up reaffirms itself as one of the major gastronomic symbols of the province. The Málaga Gastronomic Academy has announced the winners of the III Malagueña Fry-up Contest: Fritos con Arte, an event that has established itself as one of the main recognitions for those establishments that keep one of the most representative culinary traditions of the Costa del Sol alive. In this edition, the grand winner was La Mariscá, in Málaga capital, which took the prize for the Best Malagueña Fry-up after competing against 13 other participating restaurants from different parts of the province.

La Mariscá took home the main prize for the best Malagueña fry-up. / AGM

Alongside the main recognition, the contest also awarded excellence in one of the most characteristic preparations of Malagueña cuisine. In the category of Best Anchovy Fry-up, the award went to Marina Playa, a venue located in Rincón de la Victoria. The jury highlighted the authenticity of a recipe that perfectly represents the culinary tradition associated with this fish, one of the most emblematic products of the province.

The Best Anchovy Fry-up was awarded to Marina Playa. / AGM

The contest kicked off last June 1st and concluded this Tuesday, June 16th with the award ceremony held at the Gutiérrez Puerto restaurant, located in the Palmeral de las Sorpresas of the Port of Málaga. The initiative was supported by institutions and entities such as the Junta de Andalucía, Gusto del Sur, the Provincial Council of Málaga, Sabor a Málaga, Cervezas San Miguel, and Morales y Godoy, which have contributed to promoting a proposal aimed at preserving and promoting one of the most iconic dishes of the local gastronomy.

The restaurants participating in the III Malagueña Fry-up Contest

This year's edition gathered fourteen establishments spread across different municipalities of the province, reflecting the vast frying tradition existing in the Costa del Sol and Axarquía. The participants were:

• Las Palmeras (Málaga capital)
• La Recaleta (Málaga capital)
• La Mariscá (Málaga capital) – 'Best Anchovy Fry-up'
• Los Delfines (Málaga capital) – 'People’s Choice Award for Best Malagueña Fry-up'
• Avante Claro (Rincón de la Victoria)
• Marina Playa (Rincón de la Victoria) – 'Best Malagueña Fry-up'
• Taberna Marinera La Victoria (Rincón de la Victoria)
• Restaurante Scama Guadalmina (Marbella)
• La Escollera (Estepona) – 'People’s Choice Award for Best Anchovy Fry-up'
• El Palangre (Estepona)
• Tropy (Caleta de Vélez)
• La Jábega (Torremolinos)
• El Canarias (Torremolinos)

Some of the fry-ups from the contest. / AGM

The jury responsible for evaluating the different proposals consisted of the president of the Málaga Gastronomic Academy, Manolo Tornay; the provincial deputy Salomé Hidalgo; the gastronomic promoter Héctor Medina, known for his project 'Malagueño y Sibarita'; Rocío Gálvez, owner of La Plata Casa Matilde, winner of the previous edition; and the academic Santiago Domínguez.

The public also chose their favorites

Los Delfines receives its recognition. / AGM

As is tradition in this contest, gastronomy enthusiasts also had the opportunity to participate through a popular vote on the Málaga Gastronomic Academy website.

La Escollera and its diploma. / AGM

This time, the People's Choice Award for Best Malagueña Fry-up went to Los Delfines, in Málaga capital, while the People's Choice Award for Best Anchovy Fry-up was awarded to La Escollera, in Estepona, one of the most recognized establishments on the western Malagueña coast for its seafood cuisine.