The Three Best Beach Bars for Espetos in Malaga in 2025

The espetos have always been one of the great gastronomic emblems of Málaga. Just travel along the coast and its promenades to find a succession of beach bars displaying large signs of what everyone comes looking for: "Espetos". Typically, a serving consists of five or six sardines—depending on their size—and behind each boat, there is an expert espetero, many of whom are recognized for their mastery and tradition in this culinary art.

The technique of espetar involves skewering the sardines on wooden sticks and grilling them over coals placed in a boat, achieving that unmistakable flavor that has made espeto a symbol of the Costa del Sol. It is during the summer when this dish reaches its peak splendor: nothing complements a cold beer by the sea better than freshly made espetos.

Therefore, today we focus on those who best master this tradition in 2025, after celebrating this August the XI edition of the Espetos Contest of the Costa del Sol, an event that each year seeks the best espetero of Málaga and reflects the cultural and gastronomic importance of this unique specialty.

Chiringuito Larry, in Torremolinos

This year, the best espetero in the entire province of Málaga is named Joaquín Gavín Muñoz. The espetero, who has already achieved several third places in the past and has been participating for a long time, managed to conquer the critics of the jury in 2025 to emerge as the best. His technique and mastery earned him first place in the XI edition of the Espetos Contest of the Costa del Sol and he prepares espetos daily at the Chiringuito Larry, in the La Carihuela neighborhood in Torremolinos, where you can taste his grilling.

Chiringuito Los Leones, in Torremolinos

Alfonso Marín Muñoz has made a name for himself among the espeteros of the province of Málaga. Both in 2023 and in 2024, Marín was champion of the ninth and tenth editions of this prestigious contest. He is the espetero at one of the oldest beach bars in Torremolinos, Los Leones, where he prepares his espetos with skill and great passion. This year, in the XI edition, he took the second prize. Undoubtedly, if this were a long-distance competition... Marín would already have accumulated many points.

Restaurant Las Acacias, in Málaga capital

And lastly, the third prize of the XI edition of the Espetos Contest of the Costa del Sol went to Restaurant Las Acacias. This beach bar in Pedregalejo, with Catalin Agape as the espetero, can proudly say this year that it has one of the best espeteros in the province, as well as the most competitive espetos of the entire Costa del Sol.