The best beach bars in Malaga to have a good 'Sardine Experience'.
It is one of the most typical dishes of Malaga gastronomy and a ‘must’ if we visit the Costa del Sol in summer. We refer to the sardine skewers , a delicacy as healthy as it is delicious that all restaurants highlight on their menus.
how to prepare some good skewered sardines It is not as simple as it seems and it requires a lot of art. We recommend five beach bars where you will be able to taste one of the best 'espeteras' experiences in the entire province. We warn that these 'little fish' can cause addiction...
Its apparent simplicity – sardines skewered on rods and grilled – You shouldn't be fooled, a woman from Malaga who has tried many skewers in her life tells you. We are facing one of the most traditional proposals of Malaga cuisine, from the end of the 19th century. There is nothing! we can find them both in the beach bars that are on the seashore as well as in restaurants in the capital and other towns and municipalities of Malaga and in summer holidays they are the star dish of the menu.
Healthy – they are rich in Omega-3 and contain a lot of calcium, iron, vitamin B …–, for all pockets –we found it between 2 and 6 euros – and available practically at any time of the year, we encourage you to enjoy this ‘ EspetoRuta ' along the Costa del Sol. Good taste in the mouth guaranteed!
A full wait
Of course, before leaving you some small recommendations so as not to feel like a 'guiri' when you are at work putting your hands to the sardine:
1. Neither fork nor knife, you eat with your hands! This was explained at the time by the considered founder of the first picnic area –the now beach bars– of the province, Miguel Martínez, to King Alfonso XII in 1885 . It is said that when seeing the monarch take the cutlery to eat the fish, the one known as 'Migué el de la sardina' blurted out: "Your Majesty, not like that, with your fingers." Well, that, be squeamish and take the skin off the 'now!'.
two. Without dressings: the sardines, just as they are removed from the fire, are removed from the rods, thrown on the plate and directly to the table. To eat them, neither lemon nor anything to disguise their original flavor.
** 1. VARELA BEACH BAR, in Torre del Mar **
We start along the eastern coast of the province. We are specifically in sea Tower , coastal town belonging to Velez-Malaga . On the Levante seafront promenade is the Beach Bar Varela, a family business that has been open for more than half a century and where delicious sardine skewers are prepared. Jesus , one of the five brothers who are now the third generation at the helm of this restaurant, tells us that they are well known for this dish, but he also recommends trying two exclusive proposals from Varela, “ the octopus al grandfather Paco, which is a cold dish made up of cooked octopus, homemade mayonnaise and onion " Y " Grandma Dolores' octopus, which is prepared in a clay pot, with almond, tomato and onion sauce” . It is even suitable “for celiacs”, Jesus tells us.
Beach bar Varela, Levante promenade, 11, Torre del Mar.
The family together (by the skewers) stays together
two. INK POT, in El Palo, Malaga
In the Malaga neighborhood of The stick , in the eastern district of Malaga capital, is one of the most emblematic picnic areas in the province. It is not uncommon to find clueless tourists asking where the Inkwell is. Before continuing with this recommendation, we warn that it may not be the establishment where skewers are best prepared or where they are cheapest BUT it is worth the experience: a terrace full of tables with dozens of waiters , food in hand, offering from sardines to the famous 'fried fish', salads, prawns, aubergines with honey... Nothing is missing! The place is famous for this kind of fish auction and we assure you that you will have a great time and, of course, They will leave with a full stomach.
The Inkwell, Salvador Allende Avenue, 340, Malaga.
In the heat of the espeto in El Tintero
** 3. MIGUELITO EL CARIÑOSO, in Pedregalejo, Málaga **
What will this Miguelito have to be nicknamed 'the affectionate'? ** And what do the espetos have of him to be one of the most famous in all of Pedregalejo **, one of the seafaring neighborhoods of Malaga? Well, first of all, it has been on the beach for many years offering this specialty. Second, the staff, something that many of us who have visited highlight, friendly and always recommending the best of the menu. And third, that iconic boat stranded at the foot of the beach bar converted into an 'outdoor kitchen', with its fire and the embers at its point to prepare a good espetada. A note: The boat is not exclusive to 'El Affectionate', eh? We will find them practically in all the places that cook sardines like this.
Miguelito el Cariñoso, Paseo Marítimo del Pedregal, 77, Málaga.
** 4. MARÍA CHIRINGUITO, in Huelin, Málaga **
We are now going to the other end of the capital, to the beaches of Huelin, to sit at the table of another “historical” of the “chiringuito” movement in Malaga, the “María”. Juan Manzano, current owner, took over from his parents, who founded it in 1947, and now it is his three daughters –Cristina, Elisa and Miriam– who are picking up the baton. It is up to them to maintain the business at the level of its predecessors: famous for sardines, anchovies and “for our gazpacho” John tells us. Among his guests we can find people like me, like us, like you... even mayors, former ministers, writers, journalists and even the still president of the Government. And pay attention to the photo. Speechless.
Beach bar Maria, Antonio Banderas promenade, 8, Malaga.
Julio Iglesias fanning himself at the Chiringuito María
5.**LA VIBORILLA, in Benalmádena**
If you ask us the main reason why The viborilla he is here and now it would be difficult for us to respond with a simple “for his expectations”. And it is that this restaurant not only offers delicious and homemade food in a very familiar atmosphere. It is also located in a small cove in Torrequebrada, with a balcony overlooking the sea that makes you fall in love. María and her two sisters, Rebeca and Brigitte, have been following the kitchen tradition for three years with which her parents created this picnic area in the mid-1970s. Among their star dishes, obviously, sardines in skewers, "the paella, which is the house specialty, and the fried fish" . If you visit it, do not miss its artisan desserts: "fried milk, Manchego cheese cake and chocolate column". By the way, suitable for celiacs.
La Viborilla, crta. Cádiz, km 218, new Torrequebrada, Benalmádena Costa.
The viborilla