Best restaurants in Almuñécar

Faralá

★ Michelin€€€Contemporary

This unique establishment in the old town, whose name pays tribute to the colourful ruffles that adorn the typical flamenco dresses, is located on the first floor, as El Quejío Wine-Bar, a more informal space where they also organise live singing and dancing exhibitions, is at street level. The restaurant, as such, focuses on chef Cristina Jiménez's updates to the traditional recipes of Granada, offering three very interesting tasting menus (Susurros del Sacromonte, La magia del Albayzin and Alborán) and proposing a gastronomic journey through the flavours of the province to discover the Salad

El Chaleco

Bib Gourmand€€French

A restaurant with a long history, now run by the daughter of the previous owners, who has managed to maintain its essence but with an exquisite professional touch. In the attractive dining room, divided into two separate spaces, guests can savour French-inspired cuisine which is somewhat unusual for this region. The cooking is mainly focused around two menus: a short 3-course option and a 5-course tasting menu (with good artisan breads and traditional dishes, like ravioli stuffed with prawns). Keep your eye out for regular themed menus (lobster, seafood special, anniversary, Belgian, etc.).

El Chiringuito

Bib Gourmand€€Andalusian

Located around 60km from Málaga, in the Axarquía region, this is a restaurant that continues to gain a loyal following. It is situated in a mountain village where it occupies an unpretentious bar popular with locals. At the helm in the kitchen is young chef Víctor Hierrezuelo who has returned to his roots after studying hospitality and working in leading restaurants such as Arzak and Bardal. In this modest setting with a rustic and homely ambience that, for many years, was run by his grandparents, he has developed a local and regionally inspired à la carte that he has cleverly brought up to da

La Cantina de Diego

Bib Gourmand€€regional

A family-run restaurant located in the town’s old quarter, where you can choose between the summer terrace and two attractive dining rooms, both with a rustic, regionally inspired ambience. In the kitchen, owner-chef Diego Higueras focuses on technically uncomplicated traditional cooking that remains faithful to local, seasonal ingredients and is increasingly focused towards a “zero miles” philosophy (as an example, he produces his own olive oil and many of the vegetables are sourced from his own kitchen garden). The chef’s specialities include scrambled eggs with Monachil black pudding, fried

🕐 Tu-Th 20:30-22:30; Fr-Su 13:30-16:00,20:30-22:30

Albidaya

Bib Gourmand€€Farm to table

If a fusion of Andalucian and Arabian flavours appeals to you, this simple restaurant, located beneath an arcade providing access to a residential building could be a good option. Albidaya, an Arabic word that could be translated as “the beginning”, is the first stand-alone personal venture for Ismael Abderrahaman (in the kitchen) and Jorge Seco (front of house and sommelier), both of whom have extensive experience in the restaurant sector. Their cuisine is centred around a market-inspired seasonal menu that changes weekly and features contemporary dishes that showcase interesting influences f

Espacio IME

€€Modern Cuisine

Located in a residential area of Motril, this is one of those restaurants that just might surprise you! The young chef at the helm, Iván Mateo, demonstrates expert technique, delicacy and personality when proposing a unique tasting menu (Aromas de la Costa). In it, through small and tasty bites, he wants to lead us by the hand through the seasonality of the environment, the Tropical Coast of Granada, with a special emphasis on seafood and subtropical fruits. Looking for a recommendation? We loved their Arroz de quisquilla, a superb dish that conquers palates for its flavour, with a potent fume

Oliva

€€Mediterranean Cuisine

An attractive, contemporary-style restaurant with an impressive setting on Plaza de España plus a delightful terrace. It is run by a charming couple (Carlos and Kim), with the former in the kitchen and the latter front of house. Choose between a Mediterranean-influenced à la carte that includes seasonal dishes, and an impressive tasting menu. We particularly enjoyed and can recommend one of its starters, the dish entitled Prawns / Kataifi / Foie Gras Sauce.

Elysium

€€€€Contemporary, Creative

In the heart of Valle de Lecrín, housed in a restored mansion overlooking the beautiful surroundings of Melegís in Granada, this restaurant adds a gourmet touch to the elegant boutique hotel of the same name. The couple at the helm, with chef Michael Sandoval (an American with Mexican roots) in the kitchen and Dutch-born Jasmijn Saft managing the front of house, have travelled halfway around the world through their work, but... fate brought them here to make their dreams come true! Michael, who sees the kitchen as his personal creative escape, trained under famous chef Thomas Keller, who has s

El Conjuro

€€€Contemporary

A minimalist family-run establishment, today successfully managed by two brothers, located in a fairly quiet coastal village, even in summer. They serve contemporary cuisine without constraints, based on the best coastal produce, select meats and the occasional Asian condiment. The menu, featuring house classics such as Kimuchi tuna or refreshing Ortiguillas, fried egg and cured yolk, is complemented by a section dedicated to offal and another to rice dishes for two (most of the latter only available upon reservation).

Chinchín Puerto

€€€Seafood

This maritime-inspired restaurant, which takes its name from the nickname given to the family that owns it, has based its success on its top-quality ingredients (the superb fish and seafood in its display cabinet are sourced directly from the fish auction) and its respect for flavour. Don’t miss the shrimp (quisquillas de arrastre), clams (coquinas), the popular “borriquete” fish, plus the divine Russian salad, which was voted the best in Spain in 2020. The terrace boasts a view of the marina.

Ménade

€€Contemporary

This establishment surprises both for its spaciousness and its quiet location, as it is situated within the Clubhouse of the Baviera Golf course. Behind this name, which refers to the beautiful mythological nymphs, followers of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, we find the proposal of two chefs, the ‘Pablos’ (Pablo Vega and Pablo Domínguez), who complement each other perfectly to offer a current Mediterranean cuisine, with some international touches (especially French and Asian), in which there is no lack of creative nuances. The à la carte is supported by two tasting menus: Aristeo (three cour

Asador de la Reina

€€Traditional Cuisine

Utterly unique, as it occupies an old mansion located at the entrance to the Reina Isabel campsite, north of the town, this restaurant operates completely independently. The bar is dominated by two evocative maturing chambers and has two dining rooms with a regional feel, where chef Sergio Lara, known to everyone as ‘the crab’, offers a traditional grill menu, with select grilled red meats and a wood-fired oven where they roast with olive wood. Its extensive wine cellar helps you to choose the perfect pairing!

Cala

€€€Contemporary, Regional Cuisine

Located in the area known as the Forum, near the Parque de Las Ciencias, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit as it is intimate (just four tables) and boasts a meticulously contemporary interior. The cuisine here is an updated take on tradition that always pays homage to French (the chef, Samuel Hernández, is of French origin), Portuguese (because of his mother) and Spanish (because of his father) recipes. The concept revolves around a single tasting menu, with wine pairing options, which changes with each season and prioritises the use of seasonal and locally sourced produce, as well a

Atelier Casa de Comidas

€€Contemporary

This cosy restaurant, not far from the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Granada, conveys closeness, freshness and luminosity most of all, but all within an eclectic style that proudly leaves the kitchen in full view behind the service bar. Chef Raúl Sierra, who also takes the orders and is very present in the dining room, is committed to a contemporary gastronomy that continues to showcase Andalusian flavours based on modern techniques, with a few nods to other countries and extremely careful presentations. The set menu, which incorporates the house classics (such as the Croissant stuffe

María de la O

€€€Modern Cuisine, Creative

In this restaurant with a contemporary ambience and occupying an attractive 19th-century mansion, his modern cuisine that usually revolves around seasonal ingredients from the Granada region, with plenty of focus on presentation and contrasts, particularly his acidic touches that are showcased in sauces that highlight the past of this former vinegar-producing property (this is particularly true of his delicious escabeches). The proposal revolves exclusively around a comprehensive tasting menu which, if requested by the customer, can be reduced by two courses. Interesting dishes? We enjoyed the

Ruta del Veleta

€€€Traditional Cuisine

Everyone knows this place as it has been run by the Pedraza family since 1976 and is considered a real dining institution in the province. Facilities include several function rooms for private events plus a main dining room that is particularly striking thanks to the typically Granada-style jugs (they say there are over 3 000 of them!) hanging from the ceiling. The extensive à la carte of traditional dishes and the restaurant’s setting in a Mudejar-inspired property have won it universal acclaim. A visit to the wine cellar is also a must.

FM

€€seafood

Authentic fresh quisquilla from Motril, cañaíllas, baby whiting, octopus, and John Dory... If you have never tried these spectacular dishes, you are in for a treat; This neighbourhood bar is famous in Spain and beyond for the quality of its food! The renovated premises, decorated with photographs of the great chefs who have passed through it, has a good bar where you can eat and a well cared for display, with catch of the day and seafood (almost everything arrives daily from the Motril fish market). You must book in advance!

🕐 Tu-Sa 13:00-16:30,20:00-23:30; Su 13:00-16:30

Le Bistró by El Conjuro

€€Contemporary

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