The breakfast that triumphs in Marbella: Japanese whiskey carajillo and Iberian pork mollete

Jesús Muñoz has been dedicated to haute cuisine for many years. He has worked with renowned chefs like Martín Berasategui and Dani García, among other greats of the culinary world. However, tired of that pace, he decided to take a turn and set up what he humbly describes as "a churro shop." Starting from churros, a product as traditional as it is endangered, he built a simple yet meticulous menu, designed to value raw materials and work with small, local, and nearby suppliers whom he knows personally. With this mix of roots and authenticity, Jesús has turned La Casita into a true temple where simplicity and flavor are key.

In Marbella, where international luxury and Andalusian tradition coexist, breakfasts also have their own place. That place is La Casita, the personal project of Jesús Muñoz, who has managed to transform the everyday breakfast experience into a ritual with its own identity. Molletes and breads with a local soul: simplicity and the sublime joined in a menu.

La Casita's menu of breads and molletes from Montejaque is a tribute to the nearby pantry. The most demanded, and a luxury for the senses, is the Noniná mollete: marinated meat, finely cut and balanced, with egg and presented in a smoked dome that gives it a unique flavor. It's no wonder that its terrace is packed with customers at ten in the morning. From the classic Iberian ham mollete with olive oil and tomato (7.50 euros) to the Iberian pork loin mollete (9.50 euros), and lighter versions like avocado with marinated salmon (11 euros), each bite is designed to enhance the best of the product. There is also room for rustic breads with sheep butter and jam (4.20 euros) or with Spanish omelette (4.90 euros), options that captivate both the curious tourist and the regular customer.

And although the carajillo is usually associated with village bar after-meals, La Casita has managed to give it a surprising twist. Here, it can be prepared with Japanese Hibiki whisky, a choice that surprises with its smoothness and smoky notes. It's available off the menu.

Beyond the molletes, the breakfast section at La Casita offers proposals that border on haute cuisine. The Andalusian Breakfast includes free-range eggs with fried garlic, local potatoes, and pork cracklings from Cádiz on rustic bread. Another option, the Guiti (11.50 euros), features poached eggs, avocado, and marinated salmon on multigrain bread. And, for those looking for an international twist, there's the À la France (16.90 euros), with scrambled eggs, sour cream, and caviar. Most surprisingly, they offer an extra serving of caviar as an option on any breakfast dish.

The sweeter section is not left behind either. From churros with chocolate (3 euros) to a bowl of yogurt with fruits and rosemary honey, through sweet Nutella, banana, and vanilla ice cream crêpes, there are options for those who prefer to start their day with sugar and energy. Natural smoothies complete a menu that caters to all tastes.

When you ask Jesús about his favorite dish on the menu, he falls silent and can't decide: "It depends on the moment, each season you have a dish."

What makes La Casita special is not just the variety, but the coherence: simple yet meticulous dishes, with local roots and creative touches, at prices that, in the heart of Marbella, are almost surprising.