The Costa del Sol has an immense collection of wonders, including, of course, its cuisine. Traditional and avant-garde restaurants offer a veritable culinary cornucopia that is bound to tantalise the taste buds of any food connoisseur, as will the restaurants singled out by the prestigious Michelin guide: ten in total, which make the province of Malaga an absolute haven for foodies.
So, if you’re planning a gourmet holiday, take note: in this post, we will talk about all the Michelin-starred restaurants on the Costa del Sol.
Which one will you start with?
Which restaurants on the Costa del Sol have a Michelin star?
In this post, we dive into the list of restaurants that have been honoured with the prestigious Michelin star on the Costa del Sol. These restaurants offer excellence and expertise in the preparation of first class dishes.
Back Restaurante * (Marbella)
Back Restaurante, located in Marbella, recently earned its first star in November 2023, making its debut in the Michelin Guide 2024.
David Olivas, its chef, is committed to giving a contemporary interpretation of traditional Andalusian cuisine, focusing on the use of local products from Andalusia, with subtle influences from other culinary cultures.
It’s a unique experience!
Restaurante Skina ** (Marbella)
After receiving its second Michelin star in 2020, Skina, which also has two Repsol Suns to its name, is one of the best restaurants in Marbella.
Its creator, Marcos Granda, together with his team, led by head chef Mario Cachinero, has created an original proposal of Mediterranean cuisine based on seasonal produce of the highest quality, with subtle avant-garde touches. An exquisite blend that honours traditional Andalusian flavours. All paired with the most select wine list.
Messina * (Marbella)
Headed up by Argentine chef Mauricio Giovanini, Restaurante Messina has one Michelin Star and one Repsol Sun.
It is a small, but very cosy place with an exquisite tasting menu as its star product. They offer fresh dishes and overwhelming positive energy, and customers cannot help being moved by the whole experience.
Nintai * (Marbella)
With clean lines and large picture windows, Nintai, in Marbella, owned by Marcos Granda and led by head chef Manuel de Bedoya, has several private spaces and a sushi bar with a small number of seats for greater exclusivity.
Sitting around this bar, you can see the chef at work, creating and improvising like an "itamae” master sushi chef (it literally means ‘in front of the board’). Here everything creates a feeling of peace and tranquillity, the ideal state to savour the dishes served here, based on two tasting menus of different length, which vary according to the best seasonal produce available: Omakase (lunch only) and Nintai.
And to pair with each bite, Nintai offers its customers a complete menu of Japanese sakes.
Restaurante Bardal ** (Ronda)
In a very short space of time, chef Benito Gómez and his team have achieved no fewer than two Michelin stars.
The cuisine applies avant-garde techniques to the purest foundations of local cuisine. Bardal uses local, seasonal products, especially from the area of Ronda, promoting the wonderful cuisine produced by the province of Malaga.
Restaurante José Carlos García * (Málaga)
The restaurant José Carlos Garcia won the first Michelin star in the city of Malaga.
Located on the bustling Muelle Uno, in the heart of the Port of Malaga, the chef, considered the “haute cuisine genius of Malaga”, offers a fusion of local products with the most avant-garde techniques.
The restaurant has just a few tables to guarantee diners a unique, intimate and highly personalised experience. Also, as an interesting feature, the kitchen is behind glass walls, allowing customers to see the food being prepared at all times.
Kaleja * (Málaga)
Located in the centre of Malaga, Kaleja received its first Michelin star in 2022.
The first thing you will notice here is the subtle smell of smoke, an essential element in the restaurant’s distinctive proposal, since its chef, Dani Carnero, gives us a contemporary take on traditional culinary techniques, working directly over the flames with slow cooking methods (what he refers to as "candle cooking") to bring back the flavours of his childhood.
The restaurant serves two tasting menus (Memoria and Gran Menú Memoria). As the Michelin Guide inspectors themselves note, in Kaleja “all the dishes have potency, flavour and a great story”.
Sollo Restaurante * (Fuengirola)
Known as “The Caviar Chef”, Diego Gallegos, chef at Sollo Restaurante, also heads up the kitchen at this restaurant in Fuengirola . This gastronomic investigator has achieved the prestigious Michelin star, a Green Star and a Repsol Sun.
His cuisine is based on the choice of raw ingredients, governed by a strict awareness of the environment and aquaculture.
The star ingredient at Sollo is caviar and, in fact, the restaurant organises tastings of its three Riofrío caviars: Russian, Iranian and organic, paired with an exclusive cava.
As if this were not enough, during the summer months they regularly run guided tours of their fish farm in Riofrío by appointment only.
Enjoy Michelin starred restaurants and the cuisine of the Costa del Sol
In addition to this selection of Michelin-starred restaurants on the Costa del Sol, in the province of Malaga you will find countless culinary proposals for all palates and pockets: from beach bars to traditional (or modern) tapas bars.
Because the Costa del Sol is a true Mecca for good food to which pilgrims from all over the world journey every year!
