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A tapa here, a churro there. Oh, and I’ll take a delicious cocktail too. In Málaga, I get greedy with all the cute restaurants and bars. Unfortunately, there’s a limit to how much I can eat, but luckily, I need to eat multiple times a day! In this blog, you’ll find tips for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, AND cool cocktail bars in Málaga.
Breakfast in Málaga
Spaniards aren’t big on elaborate breakfasts. A cup of coffee with a piece of toast counts as a full breakfast. Not for me, especially not on vacation. So, for a hearty breakfast, I look for non-Spanish-oriented breakfast spots, and there are plenty in Málaga.
Brunchit
Do you prefer a big stack of pancakes or a healthy bowl? Brunchit has all the dishes you’d expect from a modern brunch place on the menu. I go for the savory pancakes (which turn out to be sweeter than expected): beautifully presented, plentiful, and delicious. The cappuccino is also well prepared here. The place itself is an explosion of color. I’m even a bit surprised that men are sitting inside without female company.
Brunchit is a chain of brunch restaurants. There are three Brunchit locations in Málaga. I visit Brunchit Alcazabilla, but I assume the other two are comparable.
Alcazabilla Google Maps location
Alhondiga Google Maps location
Carretería Google Maps location
One you can skip… Next Level Specialty Coffee
Well, sometimes, picking a breakfast spot just isn’t successful. And at this place, I didn’t see it coming. Next Level Specialty Coffee should have maybe stuck to coffee. The breakfast arrives in front of me lightning fast, but it’s just not good. I order Eggs Benedict and get hard-boiled yellow part and runny egg white mush. Okay, these things happen. But my best friend has the same kind of eggs as the neighbors next to me, so returning the dish and asking them to try again doesn’t look like it’ll get better. I’m disappointed. Perhaps if you order something else, it might be good, or maybe the chef had an off day. But consider yourself warned.
Ana La Fantástica
Ana La Fantástica is a bakery where you can also have breakfast. It’s quite a popular place: so busy! The selection of bread and sweets is enormous, so you’re definitely going to find something delicious here.
I’m here around Three Kings Day, a big celebration throughout Spain. On January 6, you must eat a Roscón de Reyes: a large sweet bread in the shape of a donut, often filled with whipped cream. You eat this with family or friends, and whoever finds a figurine in the Roscón is the King of the day. They get to walk around all day wearing a crown. Find a bean? Then you have to pay for the Roscón.
Of course, I want to participate in this tradition. After some research, I learn that Ana La Fantástica is highly regarded for its Roscóns. According to some sites, it’s even the best in Málaga. I have to come back twice to finally put my name on the list so I can pick one up. I choose one with a pistachio filling, and it’s truly delicious. So if you happen to be in Málaga around Three Kings Day, don’t go for a supermarket version and get one from Ana!
Sweet coffee or tea break in Málaga
I’ve already written about it in several articles, so maybe you already know: I find Spanish coffee undrinkable. So I only order my cappuccinos at specialized coffee shops where the photos on Google suggest they will be good; otherwise, I’d rather have something else. These are places where you can go with peace of mind and also score a piece of cake or something else sweet
Bun and Coffee
Near the cathedral of Málaga, you’ll find Bun and Coffee. The tagline is “Specialty Coffee & Fresh Doughnuts.” Well, that’s exactly what you can find there. It’s a small modern place offering various beautifully decorated donuts for eating on the spot or taking them for later. The coffee is very tasty. Bun and Coffee is perfect for a short stop and a sugar rush. It’s not a place where you’ll sit for hours.
Santa Coffee Soho
Santa Coffee Soho is a hip coffee shop with a bit of a rough edge. The speakers play obscure rap music, which I find quite funny. Santa Coffee Soho is located just outside the center. Because of that, I notice that there are slightly more Spanish visitors than tourists. By the way, you can also have breakfast or lunch here.
Tea bar La Tetería
If you’re standing in line for the Picasso Museum in Málaga, you’ll slowly shuffle past La Tetería. It’s a traditional tea bar with more than 150 types of tea. The menu is a bit overwhelming, but there will definitely be a tea to your taste!
Tejeringo’s Coffee
A tejeringo is Málaga’s version of churros. It tastes the same but is made differently. Tejeringo refers to the syringe with which the dough is squirted into the oil. So when you’re in Málaga, you don’t order churros but tejeringo’s. I try them at Tejeringo’s Coffee. It’s certainly not an atmospheric place, but for a quick snack, it’s perfect. You dip the tejeringo in thick, hot chocolate, which you can drink or spoon up once you’ve finished your tejeringo’s. Or order a drink if you want something to satisfy your thirst. The coffee is not great, but fortunately, that’s not what I came for.
De Nata Málaga
If you’ve ever been to Portugal, you definitely know this delicious pastry: pastel de nata. A round pastry filled with yellow custard. If you don’t quite remember what it is, just watch this video. Anyway: they’re available in Málaga! At De Nata, you can buy pastel de nata’s that taste exactly like those in Portugal. The shop consists mainly of a kitchen and a counter, but you can sit at the bar with a coffee if you want. I haven’t tried the coffee, so I don’t know if it’s good.
Tip! There’s more to do in Málaga than eating and drinking. Yes, really! Read my tips for attractions in Málaga, including many free options.
Nice restaurants in Málaga
Spaniards generally value lunch much more than dinner. Lunch is the most important meal of the day, and they eat something light in the evening. The restaurants are usually open for lunch between 1 PM and 4 PM and only from 8 PM for dinner. But even then, you’re still early; Spaniards don’t come until after 9 PM. Before that, you’re mostly sitting with tourists, which isn’t bad either. Sometimes, it’s even better because a spot’s usually still available without a reservation.
SushiClub
Um, am I seriously starting with a sushi restaurant in Málaga? Yes. Mainly because SushiClub often gives huge discounts via The Fork. If you book through that site, you can often choose for 30 to 50% off. Well, you can’t pass that up, right? SushiClub is a beautifully decorated restaurant with a wide selection of sushi. Compared to the Netherlands, I notice that the sushi here contains more fish and less rice.
Kraken
Okay, back to Spanish food now. Although the name doesn’t suggest it. I have lunch at Kraken on a cozy square with many terraces. It’s even open before the opening time that Google indicates. Nice, because my best friend and I are hungry for lunch on Dutch time (read: early). At Kraken, we have various unique tapas. Like a cream of beetroot, pine nuts, and cheese, and cod in a black dough jacket. The lamb rolls are really super delicious. Everything gets served super fast, so if you want to dine longer, order in phases.
Bodegas El Pimpi
There’s a good chance you’ll end up at Bodegas El Pimpi during your visit to Málaga. It’s known as a tourist spot, but it’s fun and tasty, so why wouldn’t you go? It’s a maze of spaces, and it’s always packed. You can try to make a reservation or otherwise come early to secure a table. The establishment is owned by Antonio Banderas (the actor), and he apparently visits occasionally. He was born in Málaga, after all.
Casa Lola Strachan
Lola has multiple locations in Málaga (7!) and is very popular. I slide in (without a reservation) at Casa Lola Strachan. They have delicious pintxos and tapas, as well as some things we haven’t tried before. The light is bright and intense but still cozy, thanks to the azulejo tiles and other decorations. The dishes arrive quickly on the table, so here too: order in phases if you don’t want to be outside again within an hour.
Going out for drinks in Málaga
Look, if it’s a beautiful warm summer evening, you just settle down somewhere at an outdoor cafe. But I’m in Málaga in winter, and it’s just too cold in the evenings – for me at least. So I want a nice bar where I can go inside. A wine bar, a cocktail bar, or maybe even the oldest bar in Málaga?
Antigua Casa de Guardia
I don’t go to Antigua Casa de Guardia for the drink, but for the experience. It’s the oldest bar in Málaga. The first step is to secure a spot at the bar. At certain times it’s packed here, so if you manage this, you’ve already won. You practically shout your order, and the waiter taps your drink directly from the barrel. Then he (yes, he, because I didn’t spot any women) writes the price with chalk on the bar. That’s your running tab.
What should you order? Mainly sherries and vermouths. The sherry triangle is located near Málaga, so if you’re in the area, make sure to do a sherry tour sometime. If you’re not so much into sherry, I recommend ordering vermouth because it’s reasonably sweet.
Vinoteca Bouquet
Do you prefer regular wine instead of sherry wine? No problem. Go to Vinoteca Bouquet in Málaga. It’s a small place with lots of wood and many wine bottles. Although many tourists come, that doesn’t detract from the experience. I explain to the sommelier what I like, and he suggests a delicious chardonnay from the Rioja region. Bullseye!
Renard Cocktail Club
Want a cocktail? Good idea! I really like the Renard Cocktail Club. It’s a small cocktail bar that’s very accessible. In the background, you hear old rock music, and the lighting is set to dark mode. Cocktails cost about $11 here (in 2025). The menu features classic cocktails, but they also have a cocktail for each zodiac sign. You get a cute card with ingredients and an explanation about the cocktail. I order the Cancer and it’s delicious!
Cocktail bar The Pharmacy
While the Renard Cocktail Club is nicely accessible, The Pharmacy is a more chic cocktail bar. The staff walks around in suits or dresses that take you back dozens of years. The cocktails here are slightly more expensive (about $13 in 2025), and some are really cool. I order a palo santo cocktail that the waiter blesses with the smoke of palo santo (I love the smell of that!), and my best friend has one with champagne leaf or electric flower. It tingles in your mouth. Very funny.
FAQ
A tejeringo is the churro of Málaga. It’s made slightly differently than the regular churro. The name refers to the syringe with which the dough is squirted into the oil.
Roscón de Reyes is a traditional round sweet bread from Spain eaten during Epiphany on Jan. 6. It is often iced with candied fruits, but each baker gives it his or her own twist. There is often a figurine hidden in the Roscón. Whoever finds the figurine becomes “king” for the day. If you find a bean, you must pay for the Roscón de Reyes.
More Spain inspiration?
Helpful links for your Spain trip
- Accommodation. Booking.com is always a popular choice. But you could also check Homecamper | campspace or Hostelworld for more options. HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. You can also check out WithLocals. Book ‘free’ walking tours at Freetour.com or GuruWalk and try Baja Bikes for bike tours.
- Attractions and museums. Interested in a 5% discount on museums and other attractions? Use this discount code at Tiqets: KIMOPREIS22
- Bus and train. If you want to travel by bus or train to or in Spain, Busbud and Omio are excellent companies for planning your transportation.
- Boat. You can take a boat from Barcelona to the Balearic Islands, or take a ferry between the islands. Check out the options at Direct Ferries.
- Car rental. Compare your options at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Be sure to check out Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? You could try Expedia or CheapOair.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel guides. I like paper travel guides to browse through, for sale at Amazon, among others.
- Yoga retreat. Or treat yourself to a yoga retreat in Spain.
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