El Canarias, the La Carihuela beach restaurant serving flavours of the sea since 1962

La Carihuela beach is home to several establishments that help explain the transformation of Torremolinos and the wider Costa del Sol. Among them is El Canarias, a family-run beach restaurant that opened in 1962 and has preserved its maritime identity for more than six decades.

Its story began at a time when beach restaurants were not permanent buildings. At the start of each season, owners would assemble simple wooden structures beside the Mediterranean and take them down again once summer had ended.

El Canarias was born in this setting, founded by José Pérez and Miguel León, two men with close ties to the sea who had completed part of their military service aboard a vessel called El Canarias. That ship eventually gave its name to a business that is now part of La Carihuela’s culinary history.

From a seasonal wooden structure to a permanent beach restaurant

The evolution of the restaurant also reflects the changes experienced along the Torremolinos coastline.

During its early years, El Canarias was built from wood and operated mainly during the summer season. Over time, it moved location several times, although it always remained within the La Carihuela area.

There was even a period when the restaurant’s roof was made from an old circus tent. Later, the structure evolved from wood to aluminium and eventually became a permanent building adapted to modern coastal regulations.

Today, the venue has a renewed appearance while preserving the family spirit and seafaring character that shaped its beginnings in the 1960s.

Fried fish, sardine skewers and Mediterranean cuisine

Food is one of the main reasons El Canarias has become such a well-known beach restaurant in Torremolinos.

Its menu is rooted in Málaga’s culinary traditions, with sardine skewers, fried fish, seafood, fresh fish and rice dishes taking centre stage.

The selection includes local specialities such as Málaga clams, grilled prawns, fried anchovies, lemon-marinated anchovies, squid, hake with aioli and grilled octopus.

The traditional espeto holds a particularly important place on the menu. Sardines are threaded onto canes and cooked beside the embers, following a technique closely linked to Málaga’s beaches and La Carihuela’s historic fishing culture.

The menu also includes salads, tuna tartare, meat dishes and options for children, making it suitable for both family lunches and gatherings with friends.

Rice dishes to share beside the Mediterranean

Rice is another key part of the restaurant’s culinary identity.

The menu includes dishes such as mixed paella and black rice, as well as group menus combining starters, sardine skewers, Málaga-style fried fish, seafood and main courses.

This reinforces the social character of Costa del Sol beach restaurants: places designed for sharing food, extending lunch into the afternoon and enjoying a meal without losing sight of the sea.

More than 120 sunbeds on La Carihuela beach

The experience extends beyond the restaurant itself. El Canarias offers more than 120 sunbeds on the beach, allowing visitors to spend the entire day beside the Mediterranean.

Guests can combine swimming and relaxing with food and drinks served close to the sand. This connection between beach and restaurant makes it possible to enjoy a complete seaside day without leaving the area.

The venue also hosts private events and celebrations, with spaces and menus adapted for family gatherings, corporate events and other special occasions.

A beach restaurant linked to the history of Torremolinos

For decades, La Carihuela was one of Málaga’s most important fishing districts. Although tourism transformed the area, its promenade still preserves restaurants specialising in fish, seafood, sardine skewers and Mediterranean cuisine.

El Canarias represents that connection between past and present. Its appearance has changed, its facilities have been modernised and its menu has expanded, but the restaurant remains rooted in family tradition and a way of understanding food that is closely linked to the sea.

The restaurant is located in Plaza del Remo, beside La Carihuela beach, one of Torremolinos’ best-known areas for walking, enjoying fresh fish and spending time by the coast throughout the year.

The restaurant’s history, menu, location and services are available on the official Chiringuito El Canarias website.