Escondido brings “Mexiterranean” flavours to Marbella’s summer nights

Marbella has added a new gastronomic attraction to its summer nightlife. At the top of the Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella, Escondido Rooftop has reopened with a proposal that brings together food, music and Mediterranean sunsets.

The venue aims to offer much more than a conventional dinner. Its elevated location, infinity pool and relaxed atmosphere turn each visit into an experience that begins during the final hours of daylight and continues well into the evening, accompanied by music sessions and a menu designed for sharing.

Mexico and Andalusia meet at the table

The culinary direction is led by Málaga chef José Carlos García, who holds a Michelin star and oversees the gastronomic offering at the renovated hotel. At Escondido, he presents a style he describes as “Mexiterranean”, built around the dialogue between Mexican recipes and flavours and ingredients from the Andalusian coast.

The concept focuses on fresh, light dishes that are particularly well suited to summer evenings. Almadraba bluefin tuna, avocados from the Axarquía, locally landed seafood and seasonal vegetables are reinterpreted through Mexican techniques, sauces and seasonings.

The aim is to allow guests to enjoy a complete dinner without feeling that the evening has to end there. The menu avoids overly heavy preparations and instead centres on bold flavours, recognisable ingredients and informal dishes that encourage diners to try several options.

Small plates made for sharing

Much of the menu is organised around antojitos, small dishes designed for sharing and exploring without following the traditional starter, main course and dessert format.

Highlights include a bluefin tuna tostada served with coriander mayonnaise and Axarquía avocado cream. Other dishes include potato and chorizo tacos, oysters with tomato aguachile, tortilla chips with Payoyo cheese and scallop ceviche served on lime.

Corn, citrus fruits, coriander, avocado and seafood shape a menu in which Mexico contributes the personality and Andalusia provides the ingredients. The result seeks to preserve the identity of each product without hiding it beneath overly complex sauces or preparations.

Cocktails inspired by Mexican mythology

The rooftop experience is completed by a signature cocktail menu inspired by deities and stories from Aztec mythology. Each drink has its own combination of ingredients and is designed either to accompany the food or to be enjoyed beside the pool at sunset.

Among the creations is Quetzal Blaze, a tiki-inspired cocktail made with Oaxacan rum and passion fruit. Xocome combines vodka and fresh strawberries, while Ah Mun features tequila, tepache liqueur and ginger.

The bar also serves familiar favourites such as margaritas and palomas, as well as a Mexican reinterpretation of an espresso cocktail known as the Espresso Mexican.

A terrace transformed by sunset

One of Escondido’s main attractions is the way the atmosphere changes from afternoon to evening. The mood begins in a relaxed way around the pool and develops as the music, lighting and DJ sessions take over.

The rooftop reopened for the season with a “sunset ritual” combining Mexican cuisine, cocktails, live music and performances in a setting inspired by the bohemian spirit of Tulum. The terrace offers panoramic views of the coastline and opens every day during the afternoon and evening.

The concept is aimed at hotel guests, residents and visitors looking for a different plan in Marbella. Rather than presenting itself as a restaurant reserved for formal occasions, the rooftop seeks to become a meeting place where guests can dine, have a drink and continue the evening without changing venue.

A new chapter for a historic hotel

The reopening of Escondido forms part of the transformation of Los Monteros, one of Marbella’s historic luxury hotels. The property reopened after a complete renovation under the Kimpton brand, with 195 rooms and a gastronomic offering led by José Carlos García.

Alongside the rooftop, the hotel includes other venues such as Jara, focused on Mediterranean cuisine with Andalusian influences, as well as additional dining and wellness experiences. Gastronomy has therefore become one of the main pillars of the hotel’s new chapter.

With its combination of Mexican flavours, local produce, cocktails and sea views, Escondido presents itself as one of Marbella’s standout summer dining experiences: a rooftop where the food shares the spotlight with the landscape, the music and the final light over the Mediterranean.

Information source: elEconomista.es, Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella and specialist gastronomy and tourism publications.