Five Essential Tapas and Dishes in Málaga and Where to Try Them

Málaga is a city that captivates with its light, its sea, and, of course, its cuisine. Its cooking is a reflection of its identity: simple, delicious, and full of tradition. Today, we review five of those typical tapas and dishes and where to taste them to fully enjoy the essence of Málaga. The Russian salad, skewered sardines, lemon anchovies, ajoblanco, and patatas bravas.

1. Málaga's Russian Salad, the champion of champions

Although the Russian salad is a classic throughout Spain, in Málaga it reaches another level. The city boasts three restaurants that have been crowned champions at the National Russian Salad Championship San Miguel in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Whichever you choose, each version of the Russian salad is a perfect display of the talent in Málaga.

• Candado Golf (Calle Golf del Candado, 2, Málaga): a benchmark of quality where this tapa turns into art.
• Chinchín Puerto (Puerto de Caleta de Vélez, locales 3A y 4A, Caleta de Vélez): an unparalleled coastal experience.
• Tragatá (Calle Nueva, 4, Ronda): in the heart of Ronda, this place gives a creative twist to the classic recipe.

2. Espetos, a Málaga staple

Espetos are much more than sardines skewered on a cane and roasted over fire. They are a cultural symbol, a ritual that connects the people of Málaga with their sea. Every year the Espeto Contest is held, searching for the best espetero in Málaga, and in this tenth edition, these were the top three:

1. Los Leones (calle Nerja, s/n, Torremolinos): Alfonso Marín was proclaimed the best in 2024.
2. La Mar Bonita (calle Nerja, s/n, Torremolinos): close to Los Leones, Miguel León received the second prize.
3. Trocadero Casa de Botes de Málaga (Paseo de la Farola, 25): Nicolás Joaquín Gavin took third place.

3. Let's talk about lemon anchovies

A dish that represents the simplicity and freshness of Málaga's cuisine. The lemon anchovies, marinated and fried with skill, are a delight you cannot miss. Here we also talk about awards, those given by the Málaga Gastronomic Academy this past summer with the First Malagueña Frying Contest: Fries with Art. With this comes the four recommendations: Bar Guerra (C. Andalucía, 2, San Pedro Alcántara), Hermanos Alba (Av. Salvador Allende, 15, Málaga), La Escollera (C. Puerto Pesquero, 10, Estepona) and La Parada (Av. de Andalucía, 62, Caleta de Vélez), which respectively received the awards for 'Best fry of Málaga' and 'Best fry of anchovies' by the jury, and the last two 'Best fry of Málaga' and 'Best fry of anchovies' by the public.

4. An essential ajoblanco

Ajoblanco is a cold soup made with almonds, garlic, bread, and olive oil, a humble recipe with centuries of history in Málaga. However, at Taró (Calle Tomás Echeverría, 15, Málaga), this dish is reinvented. The version created by Pachu Barrera and Julio Galacho adds a contemporary touch by including pistachio ice cream and anchovies as accompaniments, elevating the ajoblanco to a sophisticated and unique gastronomic experience.

5. The best patatas bravas?

Patatas bravas are a classic throughout Spain, but those from Maricarmen Casa Playa (Calle Escritor Alarcón Bonel, 2, Málaga) have a special character. Their version, known as maribravas, was selected in the Spanish Championship and stands out for its homemade cut and a dressing full of flavor.