After all that exercise and fresh air, you’ll no doubt need to replenish those energy stores with some delicious local or international fare. Whether it’s chilling out at a chiringuito savouring super fresh seafood, or supping on posh nosh in stylish surroundings, there’s an impressive choice of eateries in and around Guadalmina. The Guadalmina Hotel has two restaurants: Taray, where you can savour Mediterranean cuisine on the seafront, and Cocoa, if you’re hankering for some Italian comfort food overlooking the Guadalmina South golf course. Not far from the hotel, El Cortijo de Ramiro is a charming locale serving elegant Mediterranean cuisine, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by Ramiro himself, who will ensure everything is to your total satisfaction.
Just across the A-7 coastal road, Centro Comercial Guadalmina is home to three terrific restaurants: El Pescador, which prides itself on its “no catch” cuisine where local products from land and sea remain the stars of the show; Asador Guadalmina, a steakhouse owned by the “maverick” José with a loyal local clientele who enjoy the rustic vibe, authentic tapas and first-rate meat from the Basque country; and Dajidali, a Japanese fusion restaurant, whose creative chefs blend traditional and contemporary techniques to produce unique flavours which tantalise the tastebuds. And just a few steps away is Panne & Cioccolato, an all-in-one café-bakery-deli where you can enjoy homemade goodies crafted with love and artisanal Italian cuisine.
Heading east towards San Pedro de Alcántara, Barbillón Marbella on Playa Linda Vista is a beach-club-bar-restaurant offering a chic and inviting open-plan space just made for leisurely lounging and sampling exquisite fusion dishes and local favourites. A stroll along the beach to Playa San Pedro brings you to La Pesquera de San Pedro on the seafront promenade, which excels in authentic Andalusian-style seafood and grilled meats. And just a couple of minutes’ drive away is Soul by Breathe, a versatile venue located in the NAC Nueva Alcántara Club, perfect for all-day dining, with its stylish glass-walled restaurant that blends seamlessly into the garden and stunning views beyond.
If you find yourself in the vicinity of Benahavís, make sure you stop to try out one (or several) of the first-class restaurants here, renowned for their culinary excellence and emphasis on local products and national and Andalusian specialities. Amanhavis, in the hotel by the same name, is an elegant rustic restaurant with a cosy living room ambience, where you can enjoy the chef’s creative Andalusian dishes which change with the seasons and make use of the freshest products from the local market. A short walk down the road, Los Abanicos is an excellent choice if you want delicious home-cooked Spanish food or a modern take on classic dishes with a convivial atmosphere. Just next door, La Escalera de Balthazar ticks all the boxes when it comes to traditional Andalusian comfort food and comfy surroundings, with staples such as gambas al pil pil (spicy prawns), gazpacho and roast suckling pig, as well as dreamy homemade desserts. Continue a little further down the hill and you’ll find something a little different: Escuela Hostelería Benahavís, a hospitality school training the next generation of chefs and waiting staff to the highest standards. Appetising surprise tasting menus keep things interesting and the quality of their dishes made with ingredients from Málaga in the Malagueño way is exceptional.
