For discerning individuals seeking a refined lifestyle in southern Spain
In a significant nod to its burgeoning culinary scene, Málaga was selected to host the prestigious Michelin Guide Spain Gala in 2026. This event underscores the city's status as a gastronomic hub, celebrating its array of Michelin-starred establishments and innovative chefs. (Pictured: Beef cheeks in red wine.)
In 2025, Málaga stands as a testament to the harmonious overlap of rich history and present-day refinement. From the birthplace of Picasso to its ancient Roman amphitheatre, the city offers more than aesthetics—it offers rhythm. For high-net-worth individuals contemplating a move or second residence on the Costa del Sol, the draw isn’t just about bricks and rooftops—it’s also about the food.
As highlighted by Condé Nast Traveller and Forbes Travel Guide, Málaga has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting culinary cities. This shift isn't purely gastronomic. It’s cultural. It reflects a way of life where a meal isn't a transaction—it’s a punctuation mark in a well-lived day.
From flats overlooking the Alcazaba to villas near the coast, great homes put you in arm’s reach of great tables. These are five of the best Western-style restaurants in Málaga right now, and the signature dishes worth sitting down for.
1. Restaurante Montana
📍 Address: Calle Compás de la Victoria, 5, 29012 Málaga
🌐 Website: restaurantemontana.es
📞 Phone: +34 952 65 12 44
🕒 Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 1–4 PM, 8–11:30 PM
Set in a 19th-century mansion that once served as the German Consulate—and later home to Picasso’s family—Montana wears its history lightly. Its signature dish, Carrillera de Ternera al Vino Tinto (beef cheek in red wine), comes slow-braised and soft enough to eat with a spoon. You’ll get this with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, served with the confidence of a kitchen that doesn’t need to explain itself.
2. Black Rose The Bar
📍 Address: Carretera de Cádiz km 159, Playa el Padrón, 29680 Estepona, Málaga
🌐 Website: blackrosebar.es
📞 Phone: +34 952 80 95 59
🕒 Hours: Daily, 11 AM–1 AM
Part of the Kempinski Hotel Bahía, Black Rose is dark wood, ambient lighting, and cocktails that arrive without fuss but land with precision. Their Wagyu Beef Sliders with Truffle Mayonnaise are essential. They come in on brioche buns, paired with sea salt fries, and go best with a glass of Rioja while the Med does its slow pulse thing beyond the terrace.
3. La Deriva
📍 Address: Alameda de Colón, 7, 29001 Málaga
📞 Phone: +34 638 086 529
🕒 Hours: Monday–Saturday, 1–4 PM, 8–11:30 PM
La Deriva knows who it is. The octopus dish—Pulpo a la Brasa con Parmentier de Patata Trufada—says everything. It’s smoked, seared, plated over a truffle potato purée that could be a meal in itself. Nothing fancy, but everything intentional. You’re five minutes from the marina and probably ten from home, if you choose right.
4. Óleo Restaurante
📍 Address: Edificio CAC Málaga, C/ Alemania, s/n, 29001 Málaga
🌐 Website: oleorestaurante.es
📞 Phone: +34 952 21 90 62
🕒 Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 1:30–4:30 PM, 8–11:30 PMSet inside the Contemporary Art Centre, Óleo does sushi and steak without trying to impress—and ends up doing exactly that. Order the Sashimi de Atún Rojo con Ajoblanco de Coco: red tuna sashimi laid gently atop a coconut-almond soup, with garlic crisps for contrast. Eat it slowly. It’s not fast food. It’s artful.
Málaga's culinary landscape sees a resurgence of traditional Andalusian dishes, reimagined with contemporary flair. For instance, the classic ajoblanco, a cold almond and garlic soup, is being served with innovative accompaniments like coconut-infused ajoblanco paired with red tuna sashimi at Óleo Restaurante. Similarly, La Deriva offers pulpo a la brasa (grilled octopus) atop truffled potato purée, blending rustic flavours with modern presentation. (Pictured: a duck confit dish.)
5. Brasserie Astoria Marbella
📍 Address: Av. del Prado, 3, Nueva Andalucía, 29660 Marbella, Málaga
🌐 Website: brasserieastoria.es
📞 Phone: +34 951 74 88 88
🕒 Hours: Daily, 7 PM–1 AM
This is the Frantzén Group’s first Spanish outpost—and it’s serious. The Duck Confit with Beetroot Jus and Roasted Root Vegetables isn’t trying to reinvent anything. It’s simply done right: crisp duck skin, earthy jus, and roasted parsnips. It’s rich and it lingers, like a song you don’t skip.
Living the Life Between Courses
Dining out here isn’t just an indulgence—it’s how people connect. It’s where deals are made, friends are welcomed, and neighbours become weekend companions. The same table might see a local artist, a tech investor, and a retired academic from London, all sharing tapas and stories. This is the social fabric you step into when you move here: food is the medium, but what’s built around it is a real sense of belonging.
Here, life doesn’t rush. A meal can stretch for hours, a walk to dinner becomes part of the ritual, and your home is not just a base—but part of the experience. You’re not booking tables for the sake of it. You’re becoming part of a rhythm that prizes quality over novelty, presence over pace. Living in Málaga or Marbella isn’t about retreat. It’s about arrival—into a life that feels fully yours, one plate, one glass, one sunset at a time.
Your Table Awaits — And So Does Your Home
At Ultimate Lifestyles, we match you with homes that are an extension of this culture—close enough to walk, private enough to stay still, and ready for the life you’ve worked toward.
📍 Ultimate Lifestyles Costa del Sol
Address: Calle Jasmines 463 A, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella 29660, Spain
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: +34 951 12 07 12
🌐 Website: https://ultimate-lifestyles.com
🕒 Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM📌 CTA: Thinking of buying into this way of life? Browse available properties at ultimate-lifestyles.com or speak to us directly.