Paula de Marcos: Marcos Granda’s new restaurant concept at Muelle Uno in Málaga

Málaga is set to welcome a new name to its dining scene in 2027. Marcos Granda is preparing to open Paula de Marcos, a project through which the entrepreneur and sommelier aims to bring his approach to hospitality to the city in a more open, dynamic and accessible format.

The restaurant will be located in one of the most recognisable areas of Málaga Port, at Muelle Uno, in the premises previously occupied by José Carlos García’s restaurant.

The opening is currently planned for 15 February 2027.

A restaurant designed for different moments of the day

Paula de Marcos is being developed with a very different philosophy from the fine-dining restaurants that have shaped much of Granda’s career.

Guests will not necessarily need to book several hours for a full gastronomic experience.

The concept is designed to work equally well for someone stopping by for a glass of wine and a tapa, as for guests looking for lunch, dinner or a relaxed meeting with friends.

The kitchen is expected to operate continuously between 12:00 pm and 10:00 pm, allowing the restaurant to evolve throughout the day.

This flexibility will be one of the project’s defining features.

Málaga will play a central role on the menu

Local produce will be a key part of the concept.

The aim is to create a food offering closely connected to Málaga and Andalusia, incorporating regional ingredients, producers and familiar flavours.

Cured meats from the Serranía de Ronda, tapas and dishes designed for sharing are expected to feature prominently in a format that moves away from the conventions of formal fine dining.

The objective is to maintain a strong focus on quality and product while keeping the experience more spontaneous and approachable.

A major focus on wines from Málaga

Wine will play a particularly important role, reflecting Marcos Granda’s background as a sommelier.

The project aims to represent a large proportion of Málaga’s wineries, with many references available by the glass.

This will give both local diners and international visitors the opportunity to explore the diversity of the province’s wine scene.

The wine list is therefore intended to become more than a supporting element of the menu, serving instead as one of the restaurant’s main connections with the region.

Hospitality as the common thread

Although Paula de Marcos will move away from a formal fine-dining format, it will retain one of the principles associated with the Marcos Granda Group: placing hospitality and service at the centre of the experience.

Granda built much of his professional career in front-of-house service and wine, and that perspective will remain central to the new restaurant.

The objective is not simply to offer an attractive menu, but to create a place where guests feel comfortable regardless of the reason for their visit.

Inspired by the atmosphere of a great hotel lobby

One of the ideas behind the project comes from the hotel world.

Marcos Granda has spoken about his interest in the energy found in large hotel lobbies, spaces where guests, visitors, meetings, food and social life all come together throughout the day.

Paula de Marcos aims to bring part of that feeling to Muelle Uno.

The goal is to create a venue that can work simultaneously as a restaurant, meeting point and event space.

A large terrace overlooking Málaga Port

The location will help reinforce that open character.

The terrace is expected to play a central role, taking advantage of one of the site’s greatest assets: its direct connection with Málaga Port and the Muelle Uno promenade.

Residents, tourists and cruise passengers pass through the area every day, creating a particularly diverse audience that fits naturally with the restaurant’s concept.

The outdoor space will also be suitable for activities and events beyond the usual lunch and dinner service.

Food, events and culture

Paula de Marcos will also be able to host corporate events, private gatherings and celebrations.

The concept is expected to include cultural and musical programming connected with Málaga.

One of the ideas being considered is to provide a platform for emerging local musical talent.

In this sense, food will be the starting point, but not necessarily the only reason to visit.

A concept designed for a broad audience

Another major difference between this project and the group’s Michelin-starred restaurants will be its pricing.

The expected average spend for a full meal is around €40 to €45 per person, although much lower spending will be possible for guests using the bar or terrace.

This flexibility should allow the restaurant to attract very different types of customer.

That includes residents looking for somewhere to stop for a drink as well as visitors wanting to discover Málaga produce and wines in one of the city’s most popular waterfront areas.

A new chapter for Marcos Granda in Málaga

The opening also represents an important step in Granda’s business career.

His name is particularly associated with Marbella, where he has developed restaurants such as Skina and Nintai, alongside other projects in different Spanish cities.

Paula de Marcos will mark his direct arrival in Málaga city with a deliberately different model.

Rather than reproducing one of his fine-dining restaurants, the project is intended to bring his experience into a larger, more flexible space with stronger day-to-day interaction with the city.

Málaga design and local talent

The local connection will also extend to the restaurant’s design.

Interior design will be led by Málaga-based Paco Lago, while Narita Comunicación will work on the visual identity.

The restaurant is expected to open with a team of around 20 professionals.

Front-of-house service will once again play an important role, with a strong emphasis on product knowledge, hospitality and the relationship with guests.

A new gastronomic meeting point at Muelle Uno

With Paula de Marcos, the former José Carlos García premises will begin a new chapter while maintaining their connection with gastronomy.

The combination of a prime location, large terrace, Málaga produce, a strong wine selection and a flexible format aims to create more than just another restaurant.

If current plans remain on schedule, 15 February 2027 will mark the opening of a new space in Málaga where Marcos Granda wants to develop a simple idea: enjoying good food with quality, freedom, hospitality and a direct connection to the city.