Founded more than 80 years ago, La Escollera is a humble, down-to-earth seafood restaurant situated next to Estepona's fish market. Being close by, the customers get to enjoy some of the freshest seafood in town, which comes directly from local fishermen.
Estepona feels like a secret that everyone knows about but still manages to keep. Tucked between the Mediterranean and the Sierra Bermeja mountains, it’s the quieter cousin of Marbella — slower, softer, a little more self-assured. Here, the rhythm of life hums at its own pace, anchored by something constant: the sea.
In Estepona, the Mediterranean isn’t just a backdrop — it’s the pantry. Every morning, fishing boats dock at the port, hauling in crates of glistening sardines, carabinero prawns, and octopus with limbs like silk ribbons. By lunchtime, that same catch is being laid across plates in restaurants that range from no-frills chiringuitos to polished seaside eateries.
If you’re here — to invest, to relocate, to linger — this is the taste of the town. Fresh. Simple. Honest. And unforgettable.
1. Restaurante La Escollera
No pretense. Just seafood, straight from the sea.
The kind of place where paper tablecloths meet plates piled high with fried fish. Locals have been coming to La Escollera since 1940 — fishermen, families, the odd celebrity who wants to disappear for an afternoon. It sits right by Estepona’s fishing port, a little rough around the edges, but that’s exactly the point.
There’s no curated aesthetic here. Just glistening sardines, plates of pulpo a la gallega, and anchovies so fresh they still shimmer. The Málaga salad, bright with oranges and onions, slices through the salt perfectly.
- What to order: Mixed fried fish (“fritura”), Málaga salad
- Address: Calle Puerto Pesquero, s/n, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
- Phone: +34 952 806 354
- Opening Hours: Variable — call ahead
Pro tip: Don’t expect reservations. Arrive early or linger with a glass of Verdejo until a table opens.
2. Chiringuito El Madero
The kind of place that makes you forget what time it is.
It’s the sort of spot where you can sink your feet into the sand, watch the tide pull in and out, and order another round without checking your watch. El Madero sits directly on Playa de la Rada, a breeze-tossed chiringuito where families share paella and locals debate the merits of different olive oils over cold beers.
The sardines are skewered and grilled over an open flame, the smoke curling into the sky. The seafood paella arrives in a wide, shallow pan — saffron-rich, loaded with mussels and prawns — the kind of dish that tastes like the sea and the sun at once.
- What to order: Grilled sardines, seafood paella
- Address: Playa de la Rada, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
- Phone: +34 952 790 123
Pro tip: Sit close to the grill — the scent alone is worth it
Located directly on the beach, Chiringuito Paco is famous for its sardines grilled over an open flame, a classic Andalusian technique called "espeto." This seaside restaurant has a relaxed vibe where customers can sit down to eat fresh fish with their feet in the sand.
3. Chiringuito Paco
Beachfront dining without the frills — just the flavour.
There’s an effortless honesty to Chiringuito Paco. No slick branding, no avant-garde plating. Just whitewashed tables, a view of the sea, and seafood so fresh you can almost hear it.
Locals swear by the grilled sea bass — tender, lightly charred, served with a squeeze of lemon and nothing else. The sardines, smoky from the open fire, come five to a skewer, perfect for sharing (or not).
- What to order: Grilled sardines, sea bass
- Address: Playa de la Rada, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
- Phone: +34 952 790 456
Pro tip: No reservations, no problem. Grab a beer, wait it out, and take in the view.
4. Restaurante Las Gitanillas
A little more polish, a lot more flavour.
In the heart of Estepona’s old town, Las Gitanillas threads the line between traditional and elevated. White tablecloths, polished glasses, but food that doesn’t stray too far from its Andalusian roots.
The black rice — sticky, inky, shot through with cuttlefish — is the star. But the Iberian pork shoulder, seared and paired with earthy boletus mushrooms, is a strong contender. It’s the kind of place where you could bring your in-laws or your most demanding foodie friend — and they’d both be happy.
- What to order: Black rice, Iberian pork shoulder with boletus mushrooms
- Address: Calle Caridad, 107, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
- Phone: +34 952 806 847
Pro tip: The terrace catches the last of the afternoon sun — time your visit right.
5. El Pescador
For when you want your seafood with a side of sea views.
El Pescador feels a little more refined, without losing that coastal ease. It sits right on the promenade, where the breeze slips through wide glass doors and plates of grilled octopus arrive with a perfect char.
It’s where you go for something a little more polished — the rice with carabinero prawns, rich and deep, is reason enough. The wine list leans Spanish, naturally, with a few surprising French bottles tucked in.
- What to order: Rice with carabinero, grilled octopus
- Address: Avenida España, 12, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
- Phone: +34 952 800 000
Pro tip: Book ahead for a table by the window — the sea’s too good a view to waste.
The Taste of Estepona — And How to Make It Yours
Dining in Estepona isn’t about high-concept gastronomy or experimental cuisine. It’s about simplicity — the kind that only works when the ingredients are this fresh. It’s plates meant to be shared, bottles of local white wine sipped over long, sun-drenched afternoons, and flavours that speak of place.
For those who find themselves drawn to this lifestyle — the ease, the sun, the sea — Estepona offers more than a meal. It offers a way of life. And for investors, retirees, or anyone dreaming of a permanent seat at the table, Estepona’s real estate market is primed for exploration.
At ultimate-lifestyles.com, we curate more than properties. We curate lifestyles — from modern villas with panoramic sea views to penthouses a stone’s throw from the marina.
Ready to find your place in Estepona?
Explore our exclusive listings at ultimate-lifestyles.com, or contact us at [email protected] or call +34 951 12 07 12.
Because in Estepona, life isn’t rushed — it’s savoured.