A Food Lover's Guide to Benalmádena
Fill up your tummy with the yummiest food
Located on the beautiful Costa del Sol in southern Spain, Benalmádena is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning beaches, lively nightlife, and rich culture. But what about the food scene in this charming coastal town? Whether you are a seasoned foodie or simply looking for a delicious meal, you will be delighted by the variety and quality of the food options in Benalmádena.
We will take you on a culinary journey through Benalmádena, highlighting the best restaurants, popular dishes to try out, and where to find vegetarian, gluten-free, and seafood options. We will also introduce you to the world of tapas and recommend some of the best tapas bars in the city. Whether you are interested in traditional Spanish cuisine or modern fusion dishes, there is something for everyone in Benalmádena.
So, grab a fork and join us as we explore the delicious food scene of Benalmádena, Spain!
Best Restaurants in Benalmádena
Off course, this is a very personal matter. But some are just so amazing they are worth a mention. For a real taste of Spain, you can go to the restaurant Pil-Pil with many options, from tapas to grills. But if you would like to try a different Spanish cuisine, Restaurante Rincón Asturiano has dishes from Asturia. It tastes amazing, not only on a cold night as you might think with their stews. La Cepa in Benalmadena Pueblo has some great tapas if you are around there.
If you love pizza, you cannot go wrong with Pompei in Torremuelle. This is not close to the centre, but the Napolitano pizzas are amazing. If you don’t want to travel that far for pizza, Lo Spritz One also bakes some amazing pizzas with Spanish-style toppings.
If you like to get some great meat, you have many choices. Checoo Y Paola has delicious pieces of meat as well as plates of pasta. Gastrogaucho which is next door, has great food and an amazing vibe.
Tapas Bars
In a town like Benalmadena, you have tapas bars, and you have tapas bars. One is really the authentic Spanish tapas with different kinds of croquettes, morcilla (Spanish style black pudding), 'huevos rotos' (broken eggs) and 'secreto' (a cut from the pig). If this is what you are after, you cannot go wrong with Casa Emilio (on the higher tables they serve, you get the tapas menu). Close to it is Cafe Bar Plaza España, a great option if you enjoy to sit in the sun while enjoying your tapas.
The other tapas places are more aimed at foreigners. They are like tapas plus. One great restaurant to go for this is Lime & Lemon. The tartars are amazing among everything else on the menu. In the harbour, you have Toro with some great options.
Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Food Options in Benalmádena
Nowadays, it is not as hard to find gluten-free options or vegan options. Most restaurants have at least one or a few choices for you as a vegan, while almost all give you the option to order without gluten.
A Spanish dish that is definitely worth a try for every diet is 'tomate aliñado'. These are cut tomatoes dressed with oil, vinegar, salt, oregano and garlic. They do have versions with fish on the tomatoes, so be aware. 'Ensalada pimiento' has that Mediterranean taste with paprikas that will please everyone if you are not into tomatoes.
As for restaurants, you can go to an Indian restaurant like Raju's Indian City. They have gluten-free options as well as vegan options and are highly rated. If you like Moroccan cuisine, you might give Restaurante Los Delantales a try. If you are looking for a restaurant that focuses solely on vegans, you can take the bus or train to Fuengirola and go to Fast Vegan or La Libélula Vegan Café.
Seafood Restaurants
If you love seafood, you will love eating your way through Benalmadena. Especially on the boulevard, many places focus solely on dishes from the sea. When you see the windmill roundabout, you walk down onto the boulevard that takes you right along the beach. So many options you will have a hard time choosing just one!
If you are not on the coast, in Arroyo de la Miel, you will find La Alternativa with many fish options. This is where the Spanish will go on a Friday or Saturday night to have a drink and a few ‘raciones’ (portions) of different kinds of seafood.