The Best Tapas in Malaga Old Town Spain

Eating tapas in Málaga Old Town isn't exactly difficult. The problem is deciding where.

This post was the perfect excuse to bar-hop our way through the Old Town( aka my backyard ) and along the beach in search of the best bites.

Let's be honest: if you Google "best tapas in Málaga City Centre," you'll get lists that all sound the same. Half of them tell you to go to El Pimpi, and while it's iconic, you'd miss out on plenty if that's the only stop you made.

And when it comes to beach tapas? Forget it. Most guides skip that part entirely, which is wild, because eating sardines straight off the grill with sand between your toes is one of the most Málaga things you can do.

So, here's our take: a guide to the best tapas in Málaga's Old Town and along the beach, written after far too many croquetas, vermouths, and espetos.

P.S. Tapas are personal. These lists are opinionated and totally subjective. This is just our take after plenty of eating.

Best Tapas in Malaga Roundup

• The best tapas, according to us: Casa Lola
• The best seafood tapas in Malaga: Mercado Atarazanas
• The best tapas with a twist: Perro Viejo
• The best tapas on the beach: Chiringuito Oasis Playa

The Best Tapas Restaurants in Málaga Old Town

Perro Viejo

Perro Viejo is where tapas go a little rogue. The menu looks familiar at first, but then you spot bao buns stuffed with Iberian pork and smoky octopus plates that wouldn't feel out of place in a cocktail bar.

The vibe is more polished than your average tapas joint, and perfect for date night or a night out with friends who want "something different."

Prices aren't rock-bottom, but the portions are solid, and the drinks list is just as fun as the food.

Restaurante Bar Picasso – Plaza de la Merced

One of our favourite places for classic, no-fuss tapas in the heart of Málaga. Picasso sits right on Plaza de la Merced, serving up crowd-pleasers like garlic prawns, boquerones, and generous raciones of tortilla that always hit the spot.

They have great sangría here, the plates come quickly, and you end up ordering “just one more” half a dozen times.

And while the tapas are what keep us coming back, we’d be lying if we didn’t mention the joy of a slow breakfast here too, coffee, toast, and sunshine, with the buzz of the plaza all around.

Mesón Ibérico

If meat is your love language, Mesón Ibérico is the place to speak it. This Old Town spot is all about Iberian pork, charcuterie, and hearty tapas that come out fast and generous.

It's a classic tavern: no frills, plenty of noise, and a menu that leans on tradition.

It's not flashy, but that's the point. Come hungry, leave full, and probably a little tipsy.

El Gallo Ronco

El Gallo Ronco isn't just about what's on the plate; it's about what's on stage. Most nights, live flamenco turns dinner into a full Andalusian experience.

The tapas are hearty and traditional: think grilled meats, croquetas, and plenty of raciones for sharing.

Prices are fair for the location and the entertainment. You're not just paying for food here; you're paying for the soundtrack.

Casa Lola

If there's a queue outside, you've found Casa Lola. This place is as popular with locals as it is with visitors, and once you sit down, you'll get why.

The menu is packed with all the Andalusian staples: croquetas, patatas bravas, berenjenas con miel (fried aubergine with cane honey), everything!

Prices are still reasonable, considering the hype; most tapas dishes hover around €3–4, but the real catch is finding a table. Get there early or be ready to wait.

Bodega Bar El Pimpi

El Pimpi is a Málaga institution. The place is a labyrinth of tiled rooms, wine barrels signed by celebrities, and walls framed with famous people.

Food-wise, think raciones of jamón ibérico, salmorejo, and fried fish. The tapas are solid, if not mind-blowing, but let's be real: you come here for the setting as much as the food.

Yes, it's touristy.

Yes, it's busy. And yes, you should still go at least once.

The Best Tapas Bars in Málaga Old Town

Bar La Tranca

La Tranca is rowdy, cramped, and absolutely unmissable. Most nights(and afternoons) it's standing room only.

Fan favourites like croquetas de jamón, empanadas, and ensaladilla rusa are what's on the menu, all at prices that still sit in the "cheap" bracket (€3–4 a tapa, drinks for even less).

Service is fast, loud, and unapologetically Málaga. You'll either be in and out in under an hour or stuck here all night singing along with strangers.

Bar Mercado Atarazanas

Hidden inside the city's busiest market, Bar Mercado Atarazanas is where you pick your seafood and watch it hit the grill minutes later. Prawns, anchovies, octopus, you name it. If it swam this morning, you can eat it by lunch.

It's standing-room-only, loud, and slightly chaotic, but that's part of the charm.

Fair warning: once you've eaten seafood this fresh, most other tapas bars will feel like a downgrade.

Mesón Lo Güeno

Mesón Lo Güeno doesn't try to impress with trendy plates or flashy decor. It's pure Andalusian tradition: hearty stews, fried peppers, and classic raciones.

Prices are fair (around €3–4 per tapa), and the food fills you up without fuss.

Colmado 93

Part tapas bar, part deli. The shelves are stacked with cans, bottles, and local products, and the tiny space fills up fast with people crowding the bar.

I recommend ordering a vermut on tap and pairing it with plates of jamón and cheese. It's not the most extensive menu in Málaga, but what they do, they do well.

Don't expect a long sit-down meal here. This one is usually more of a pit stop.

Cortijo de Pepe

Cortijo de Pepe has been holding down a corner of Plaza de la Merced since the 70s.

The menu leans on grilled meats, porra antequerana (a thicker cousin of gazpacho), and plenty of hearty raciones to share. Prices are fair for the location, with most tapas in the €3–5 range, but portions are generous enough to make it a good value.

La Farola de Orellana

La Farola de Orellana has been around since 1938, and it still packs in locals every night. The place is tiny, noisy, and unapologetically old-school.

Forget menus.

Just point at the platters lined up on the counter and let the waiter pile your plate. The bartolos (mini sandwiches) are a local favourite, but the lamb ribs and pork cheeks steal the show if you're hungry.

Prices stay in the classic tapas range of €3–4 a plate.

If bars are your thing, you'll want to check out my favourite bars in Malaga Old Town too!

The Best Tapas Along Málaga Beach

Chiringuito Oasis Playa

Oasis Playa is our favourite Chiringuito along the East beaches in Malaga. It's clean, well-run, and the food has always been amazing!

The fair is typical Chiringuito: espetos (sardines on skewers), berenjenas con miel, and gambas pil-pil are among my solid favourites.

Prices are fair for the location, and the view does most of the heavy lifting anyway.

El Tintero

If you want a dining experience that's pure Málaga, El Tintero is it. Set on Playa del Dedo in El Palo, this place is part seafood restaurant, part circus, and all chaos.

Forget menus.

Waiters storm out of the kitchen carrying trays stacked with fried fish, clams, prawns, and even marinated shark, shouting the dishes as loudly as they can. You wave, yell back, and the plate lands on your table. At the end, your bill is just the count of empty plates.

The food is simple: boquerones, fried dogfish, clams dripping in garlic, sardines hot off the grill, all best washed down with cold beer or local wine.

Don't come here for peace and quiet. Come here to see Málaga at full volume.

What Kind of Tapas Are in Malaga

Tapas menus can feel endless, and half the fun is pointing at something without really knowing what you're getting. Still, there are a few dishes that always stand out in Málaga.

• Gambas al pil-pil – prawns bubbling in garlic and chilli oil, usually served in a little clay dish. Order bread too; the sauce is the real prize.
• Tortilla de patatas – Spain's famous potato omelette. The good ones are soft in the middle and come in wedges big enough to share.
• Berenjenas con miel – fried slices of aubergine topped with cane honey. Sweet and salty in one bite.
• Cazón en adobo – marinated dogfish, deep fried until golden. It's a local favourite along the coast.
• Croquetas – creamy béchamel-filled croquettes. Jamón is the classic, but if you spot oxtail or cod versions, don't hesitate.
• Pimientos de padrón – little green peppers blistered in olive oil. Most are mild, but every now and then you'll get a fiery surprise.
• Ensaladilla malagueña – Málaga's twist on potato salad, often with cod, orange, and olives. Unusual, refreshing, and worth trying.
• Flamenquín – rolled meat with ham inside, breaded and fried. Best shared, because it's heavy.
• Rabo de toro – rich, slow-cooked oxtail stew. Order this at a sit-down restaurant rather than a bar snack.
• Pinchitos morunos – skewers of spiced pork or chicken, usually grilled on the spot.
• Secreto ibérico – a prized pork cut cooked simply with coarse salt. Juicy, tender, and unforgettable.
• Gazpacho or salmorejo – cold tomato-based soups. Gazpacho is lighter, salmorejo is thicker and creamier, often topped with jamón.
• Albóndigas – meatballs in tomato sauce. Not fancy, but filling and comforting.

Conclusion on Best Tapas in Malaga Old Town

We just covered less than 1 per cent of the tapas bars in Malaga. Sure, I might have been to more, but my list is totally subjective. Try some of my recommendations, but please also throw the list away after a day or two and try something new!

Let me know if you're in town and what you thought of these tapas bars!

Heidi

P.S. You will find cheap tapas options if you read my Cheap Places to Eat in Malaga guide!