The seafood restaurant in Málaga that Pepe Rodríguez recommended to Jordi Cruz:

The Michelin Guide gala brought many good tidings to Málaga. Beyond gathering the elite of national gastronomy and leaving a new Michelin Star in the city for Palodú, and two new 'Bib Gourmands' for Base9 and El Chiringuito, the intricacies of the gala also revealed a recommendation not to be missed in Málaga, such as the seafood restaurant highlighted by culinary greats like Jordi Cruz and Pepe Rodríguez, two of the judges from the show Masterchef, the Marisquería Jacinto.

It was in the minutes before the start of the Michelin Guide gala. The local Málaga journalist Masi Rodríguez, tasked with interviewing the guests, stopped Jordi Cruz for a chat. In a relaxed tone, as they know each other from the last edition of Masterchef Celebrity, Masi mentioned the venue chosen to host this edition of the gala.

"Málaga, a wonderful place," said the versatile Málaga native, to which Jordi Cruz replied: "Do you know what I did? I called Pepe Rodríguez. 'Pepe, where should I eat?' and he took me to a good place, I had some fish, we drank good wine."

"Pepe Rodríguez? But Pepe is from Illescas," the Málaga native remarked, to which the chef replied: "He's my second guide, the first is Michelin and the second is Pepe. 'Go here, go there.' And the man was right. He may not know much else, but he knows this." Masi was eager to know which restaurant he was talking about and did not hesitate to ask him about it, to which Jordi Cruz replied: "Jacinto."

Marisquería Jacinto, fresh fish and quality in Carranque

Marisquería Jacinto is one of the classics in Málaga, especially for the residents of the Carranque area, near the Carlos Haya hospital. Located on Avenida del Obispo Angel Herrera Oria, this seafood restaurant run by Jacinto Rojas and his family has been offering Mediterranean cuisine focused on quality fish and seafood, sourced directly from the Málaga fish market and trusted suppliers, for over 30 years.

The seafood restaurant, one of the 'Recommended' by the Repsol Guide and featured in the Macarfi Guide, is known for a wide showcase where fresh products are displayed: Norway lobsters, prawns, goose barnacles, scarlet shrimp, shrimp, smooth clams, oysters, sea snails, clams, squid, red mullets or baby eels when in season. It also offers a variety of scale fish that customers can choose from on the spot.

The menu is an example of their strong commitment to seasonal products, as well as to simple preparations that respect the natural qualities of the seafood and fish. Jacinto practices straightforward cooking, without pretense, combining grilling, boiling, frying, or oven preparations to make flavor the star.

Alongside the seafood specialties, starters such as Russian salad, Iberian ham, Cantabrian anchovies, or avocado and salmon tartare also stand out. From the land, the Malaga kid goat is a standout, a product that Jacinto has mastered, having worked in livestock before entering the hospitality industry. The menu also includes soup dishes, salads, and other preparations that broaden the range of options for all types of diners, something attested to by such authoritative and established gastronomic voices as Pepe Rodríguez and Jordi Cruz.