The OAD confirms: the best 'casual' restaurant in all of Europe is in Málaga and it's a seafood restaurant

One of the most important gastronomic rankings, beyond the Michelin Guide or the Repsol Guide, is the Opinionated About Dining –known by its acronym OAD–, mainly because it does not recognize or award, but rather evaluates and ranks the most important restaurants not only in Spain but throughout Europe. In its latest update published for the year 2025, it has revealed the best 'classic' and 'casual' restaurants in Europe, with significant representation from Málaga. In fact, this year 2025, the restaurant from Fuengirola, Los Marinos José can claim to be the best casual restaurant in all of Europe, yes, in the old continent.

Among the nearly 900 references of restaurants throughout Europe that OAD publishes about the best 'casual' ones, Los Marinos José takes the highest recognition by placing it in the first position on its list. The top 3 is completed by another Spanish restaurant, also a seafood place, D'Berto, in Pontevedra; and an Italian, Pepe in Grani, a pizzeria.

"Located at the end of the promenade in Fuengirola, Los Marinos José is indistinguishable from the dozens of seaside restaurants. But upon entering, you will immediately encounter a selection of fish and seafood unmatched by any other restaurant in Spain," reviews from OAD about Los Marinos José, recommending some of their dishes: "Do not miss the tasty local Norway lobsters, the thin-shelled clams, and their house red mullet. Whole fish such as grouper, monkfish, or sea bass can be prepared in brine, baked, or fried. To finish, enjoy one of the best noodle dishes (noodle paella) you will ever taste. Wonderful wine list, especially the extensive champagne section."

But the seafood restaurant in Fuengirola led by Pablo Sánchez is not the only restaurant from Málaga that appears on the list. There are more. In fact, another top-level seafood restaurant like Hermanos Alba is located at position number 14, very close to the European Top 10. The brothers Victorio and Carlos Alba are also mentioned as references for "spending their mornings searching in the fish markets of Caleta de Vélez, Fuengirola, Motril, Conil, and Barbate looking for the freshest and highest quality fish and seafood" They leave several recommendations "grilled baby squid with garlic and parsley, chopped and fried monkfish nuggets, and a variety of baked salt fish".

Within the top 100 of the best casual restaurants in Europe, there are two other restaurants, one previously unranked like Chiringuito El Saladero, in Caleta de Vélez, with Víctor Hierrezuelo in the kitchen, debuting at position number 32. On the other hand, from Fuengirola also appears the Restaurante Tánicos, in another commendable position 89, with Manuel Ponce at the helm. Among the nearly 900 European references, there are more than twenty more restaurants from Málaga, all of undeniable quality, with other recognitions already to their credit. To highlight the novelty of asador Don Joaquín, in Pizarra, which debuts at position 240; as well as Andala Marbella, another novelty that appears at number 288 in Europe.

Below is the complete list of 'casual' Malagueño restaurants that are among the best in Europe according to OAD:

• 154 – Kutral by Martin Abramzon – Ronda
• 166 – La Taberna de Mike Palmer – Málaga
• 196 – La Milla Marbella – Marbella
• 219 – El Campanario Golf & Country House – Málaga
• 230 – Chinchín Puerto – Málaga
• 235 – Sidreria Usategui – Marbella
• 240* – Don Joaquín Asador (New) – Pizarra
• 247 – Arte de Cozina – Antequera
• 272 – Marisqueria Jacinto – Málaga
• 282 – Restaurante El Parador Playa – Benalmádena
• 284 – Uvedoble Taberna – Málaga
• 288* – Andala Marbella (New) – Marbella
• 295 – El Yerno – Málaga
• 353 – La Cosmopolita – Málaga
• 369 – Tragatá – Ronda
• 423 – Tragabuches – Ronda
• 453 – Bar Fiesta – Marbella
• 550 – El Higuerón – Fuengirola
• 643 – Marisqueria Godoy – Málaga
• 720 – Yerbagüena Restaurant – Málaga
• 762 – El Pimpi – Málaga
• 774 – Leña – Marbella
• 794 – El Restaurante del Candado Golf – Málaga
• 863 – Misuto – Málaga

Two restaurants from Málaga among the best 'classic' in Europe

In addition to this list of 'casual' European restaurants launched by OAD, they have also updated the ranking of best 'classic' restaurants in Europe where two from Málaga are included. In this case, we are talking about Areia, by chef Pablo Berzosa, which appears at position 208 in Europe; and Grill at the Marbella Club, also located in Marbella, with Santiago Guerrero at the helm and situated at position 426.