Famous Beach Bars around Marbella
Now that the crazy days of summer have passed, residents and tourists in Marbella can look forward to sunny Autumn days, mild evenings at some of the best beach bars in Andalucia.
There are plenty of great beach restaurants and bars (chiringuitos) to choose from in Marbella itself, including La Pesquera, along the seafront promenade, El Sombrero, on the central Marbella Beach and Beach Club El Fuerte, right in front of the hotel on the entrance to Marbella. If you fancy a day out however, you can also find some fabulous beach bars just east of Marbella, in Las Chapas, Cabopino, Calahonda and Rivera del Sol.
Some of our favourite beach bars within a 10-20 minute drive of Marbella include:
Los Sardinales, situated on Alicate Playa, El Rosario, is definitely one of the best. Perhaps the fact that Antonio Banderas´s villa sits proudly on the sands here enhances the feel good factor of this restaurant, but the food is unbeatable.
With ample parking nearby and good road access, Los Sardinales is only five minutes from the centre of Marbella in the direction of Elviria. Exit the road just after the Hospital Costa Del Sol on the opposite side of the road at the sign for El Rosario.
The service here is excellent and the staff are friendly. Open all day from lunch through to dinner, there is no hurry to leave your table and you can sit and enjoy the afternoon sun once you have eaten. Last time we visited we chose the crisp white house wine to begin with while we pondered over the menu.
We decided to share a range of starters including Octopus Gallega, Boquerones al Limon , Baby Squid, Gazpacho and Fresh Mussels Marinera with the most delicious white wine and cream sauce.
Staying with a fish theme, although the menu also boasts some excellent meat and vegetarian dishes, we ordered the Mixed Seafood Paella, Fresh Grilled Sardines, Brochette of Monkfish and Salmon, and a Fresh Sole Meuniere with an exquisite lemon, butter and fresh herb sauce.
Triana Beach Bar at Playa Las Chapas
If you are travelling to the Triana from Marbella, exit the motorway at sign for Las Chapas (just after Elviria) and head down to the beach. Turn left and you will see the Triana at the end of the beach road, enjoying a superb location overlooking the sea.
With a large terrace, and plenty of space inside if the weather takes a turn for the worse, the Triana serves traditional paella, fantastic fresh seafood, locally caught, and probably the best squid you will taste anywhere. Also one of the best jugs of sangria on the coast, and the Triana keeps its prices reasonable. Excellent food at this family run business is worth coming back for, and there are plenty of vegetarian options.
Triana is a family run business with friendly service, good prices and excellent food in a beautiful setting. The salads are good too, and there are plenty of vegetarian options.
La Lonja Beach Bar, Cabopino
From Marbella, drive in direction Fuengirola, pass signs for Elviria and Las Chapas and come off the road at sign for Cabopino. Head down hill at the roundabout and take the first turn on the right for beach parking. On the left of the beach is La Lonja. Specialising in superb fresh fish and seafood, plus a great choice of meats, pastas and pizzas, this is a great place to bring all the family. Cabopino is one of the best beaches in Marbella region, and water sports and dolphin trips can be booked directly from the Marina. Great views and great food at La Lonja.
The Royal Beach Bar Calahonda
From Marbella head in the direction of Fuengirola and exit the A7 after Cabopino at the first sign for Calahonda. (Mcdonald´s Restaurant is also here). At the roundabout take a right turn and you will find Royal Beach just 50 metres down this road, with ample parking (can get very busy in the summer months). With great terraces on different levels overlooking the sea, the layout of this beach bar is unique and comfortable. This is a great place to come if you want a full meal or something to pick at .. we usually enjoy a range of starters between us including an excellent mixed pepper salad, grilled goat´s cheese and ripe avocado with plump prawns and marie rose sauce. The prawn pil pil is also to die for.
The Garden Bar at Riviera del Sol
The Garden Bar is a real hidden gem on the sea front close to Riviera del Sol/Miraflores. From Marbella, drive in the direction of Fuengirola, pass all Calahonda signs and pass Max Beach on the right. Take the very next exit on the right where you see a gated entrance to El Juncal/Las Rocas apartments.
Visitors can park here and walk down through the gardens to the Garden Bar, or call ahead and ask for the gate code. This way you can park nearer to the bar and the owners will be only too happy to give you the access code. This fantastic bar/restaurant has been run by the same family for over 20 years and enjoys one of the best locations on the Costa del Sol. With a large grassy area with outside tables and unbeatable sea views, this is a real find. The menu is quite English, and includes a great range of salads, fish and chips, bangers and mash and a wide choice of toasties and sandwiches. The bar also hosts fantastic live entertainment in the summer months with a backdrop of the Mediterranean .. a stunning location and great affordable food.
Los Delfines in La Cala de Mijas
La Cala de Mijas is a lovely small town between Marbella and Fuengirola, and Los Delfines is one of the best beach bars in town. From Marbella, take the motorway in direction Fuengirola, pass Calahonda, and Riviera, carry straight on and you will see a large sign for La Cala de Mijas on the right. Park where you can and head for the beach. This old fishing village has evolved over the years into one of the most popular resorts east of Marbella, yet still retains a Spanish feel.
Los Delfines is at the east end of La Cala Beach (direction Fuengirola), and offers great value for money and delicious food. Try the fish stew (cazuela de pescado) which is something of a speciality, or the excellent mussels in tomato and herb sauce. This is a great place to bring the kids as the restaurant Is situated on the beach, with plenty of things to keep the family entertained. Also a great children´s menu and very well priced.
Whether you prefer to stay in Marbella and enjoy the great choice of beach bars and restaurants dotted along the shore, or you want to be more adventurous and make the most of the fantastic chiringuitos nearby, you will find plenty of fantastic options within a short drive of the town centre.
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