La Bouganvilla

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Shawn

La Bouganvilla is the newest offering from Borja Galán, who runs the fabulous La Cosmopolita. It’s a very different style, serving typical Andalusian fare, and doing it very well. There’s a great terraza in the square and two floors of bar and restaurant space inside. And 1.75€ will get you a cold beer and a tapa while you check out the rest of the menu.

Granada 21
Málaga
tel. 951 006 103
Open 12.00 – midnight
(kitchen closed 16.30 – 20.00)
€ € €

bouganvilla (1)
bouganvilla bar
bouganvilla cerveza beer & a tapa = 1.75€

bouganvilla tapas selection of complementary tapas

bouganvilla arroz arroz del día

bouganvilla huevos rotos huevos rotos with chorizo and chips

bouganvilla (2)
bouganvilla (3)

bouganvilla terraza

Wendy Gamba

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Shawn

Updated May 2015

wendy gamba

Since my first visit here with my friend Victor @welovemalaga, Wendy Gamba has made a few changes to the menu, including some “friends of Wendy” (non-gamba) items. Owned and operated by the same group who run KGB (previously Manzanilla) across the street, you can still get the famous Dani García bulltail burger here. Heaven. Happily Botani is still available by the glass, but the usual beverages of choice seem to be Victoria beer, vermouth on tap and a small selection of wines. And of course there are gambas galore. Plus a few of Wendy’s friends.

Nice friendly atmosphere and cheerful staff, in spite of there being no heating or airconditioning. Most comfortable times to go: spring and autumn.

Fresca 10
Málaga
Tel. 952 22 30 24
€ € €

Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 8| Ambiance 7

wendy gamba tiles

wendy gamba salmorejo salmorejo with jamón

wendy gamba tartare prawn tartare with olive oil and madras curry “roe”

wendy gamba gabardina crispy battered prawns

wendy gamba escondida Wendy escondida!
hidden inside grilled mushrooms with red pesto sauce

kgb gambas grilled king prawns with salsa verde

wendy gamba croquetas croquetas de – what else? – gambas!

wendy gamba al ajillo spicy gambas al ajillo

wendy gamba mollete chorizo mollete de Antequera with chorizo, caramalised onion, chipotle sauce

wendy gamba morcilla ronda morcilla from Ronda

wendy gamba bb “bulltail burger” with au jus mayo and havarti cheese

wendy papas patatas bravas

wendy gamba corner

wendy gamba bar seats

Los Gatos

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Shawn

Updated May 2015

Already well-established in Madrid for over 30 years, owner Miguel returned to his native Málaga and opened this second Los Gatos location in Plaza Uncibay. It’s a bright and buzzy spot that serves tapas all day long, many of them are displayed in a long case on the bar pintxo-style so you can just point and choose, or you can get hot dishes made to order. Genuinely friendly service and a fun kitschy atmosphere makes this is a great meeting point for the beginning of a tapeo, or even a full meal.

Make sure you try the morcilla with pine nuts and gambas with alioli, served on slices of crusty bread. Also very nice solomillo al whisky served with great chips. The bar doesn’t have a coffee machine but if you fancy one it’ll be brought over from the café across the square. It also has the best poured beer on tap I’ve had anywhere in Spain (watch them do it in the video below!) and with each drink you get a complimentary tapita. Plus you may find yourself with on-the-house cava and chocolates after paying your bill. This is the ultimate “cheap & cheerful” bar.

[note: the nickname for Madrileños is gato, for Malagueños it’s boquerón]

Plaza Uncibay 9
Málaga
tel 952 22 23 40
Open 11.00 – 1.00 / 7 days a week
(all day kitchen)
€ € €

Food 7 | Wine 7 | Beer 10 | Service 8 | Ambiance 8

los gatos tables

los gatos plaque
los gatos beer a perfectly poured cervecita

los gatos tortilla complimentary tortilla slices with beers

los gatos morcilla morcilla with pinenuts on toast

los gatos brie mushrooms brie and mushrooms on bread

los gatos gambas alioli gambas with alioli

los gatos anchoas solomillo Cantabrian anchovy with tomato
grilled solomillo with peppers

los gatos ensaladilla ensaladilla

los gatos tomates tomato salad

los gatos jamon jamón

los gatos complementary tapa complementary tapa with drink

los gatos selection selection of pinchos

los gatos salmon salmon with blue cheese

blue cheese

los gatos pimenton tortilla sobrasada tortilla

los gatos croquetas croquettes

los gatos tapas tapas display case

los gatos queso queso

los gatos (12) grilled solomillo (pork tenderloin) in whisky sauce

los gatos (16) toro

http://instagram.com/p/oEoXxnEVnH/
[click to see instagram video]

los gatos ceiling

los gatos private room

los gatos wall

Updated May 2015

Dom Vinos

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Shawn

Dom Vinos is no more but you can find Antonio working his magic at Eboka

domvinos

Dom Vinos specialises in wine tastings and pairing menus, with an impressive listing of over 140 wines and premium spirits (the wine list changes monthly). But you can also just stop in for a few tapas – be sure to check out the daily specials. It’s also a good idea to call ahead to book in case there is a special event going on.

My first (quick) visit here was back in December 2012 with a friend visiting from New Zealand – our snacks were delish and we loved the casual ambiance and the attentive service. My second visit was a bit more “intense” and Antonio was very happy to set us up with a fab tasting menu paired with some pretty damn fine sherrys. I am always impressed by how passionate Antonio is about sharing his knowledge of food and wine and what a welcoming and generous host he is. Another Dom Vinos lunch with travel writer friend Andrew Forbes (who was also inspired to write about our experience) convinced me that this is a place with consistently excellent wine, food and service. These days a trip to Málaga isn’t complete without a visit to Dom Vinos.

Delightful desserts are by local pastry chef María García ( Candy’s) and crazy good cocktails are creatively prepared by Jesús García Recaj.

Toquero 1
Málaga
Tel 666 330 336
€ € € €

Food 8 | Wine 10 | Service 9 | Ambiance 8

dom vinos reserved
dom vinos (5)

award-winning ecological olive oil from Antequera
served with hot toasted rolls

porra Antequera with jamón and sea urchin

dom vinos ajoblanco ajoblanco with “Málaga ice cream”
(raisins, almonds, rum)

dom vinos pringas pringá montaditos with cocido

dom vinos jamon jamón Ibérico & La Goya manzanilla

domvinos tom tartare Raf & Huevo de Toro tomato “tartare” with cilantro and payoyo cheese

dom vinos chicken ravioli ravioli filled with free-range chicken, mozzarella and basil

dom vinos salmon pastrami salmon “pastrami”

dom vinos salad mixed greens, grilled asparagus, roast cherry toms, almonds & jamón

domvinos pulpo tender pulpo (octopus) with bacon-potato purée and chili threads

26-08-2014 stewed beef cheek drizzled with truffle oil
(before and after mushing and drizzling)

dom vinos cheeses payoyo cheese with walnuts and jam

dom vinos sacristia (1)

dom vinos choc dulce leche
dom vinos candys desserts by Candy

dom vinos petitfours petit fours

dom vinos maria candy pastry chef María García “Candy”

dom vinos antonio and sherry owner Antonio Fernández

dom vinos (8)

dom vinos (2)

dom vinos typical tasting all in a night’s work… a typical Dom Vinos tasting

Updated August 2015

Bar Nerva

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Shawn

Updated October 2017

Bar Nerva was first recommended to me by my friend Victor @WeLoveMalaga back in 2012 – it’s a bit off the beaten path but definitely worth making the effort. Now more than 25 years old, this traditional family-run tapas bar and restaurant will immediately win you over not only with its fabulous home-style food, but also with the genuine warmth and enthusiasm of the staff. There are only a few tapas on the menu, so best to go with friends and share larger plates. Or try the menú del día, which is excellent value. Be sure to try the croquettes (which is not something I usually say) and the arroz de Ibéricos, which is chock full of jamón and various sausages. Though I think it’s safe to say that you really can’t go wrong here – I’ve never had a dish that wasn’t exceptionally delicious.

Cristo de la Epidemia, 55
Málaga
Tel 952 267 949
€ € €

Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 8

nerva bar

nerva wine list wine list

la carta

nerva starters complimentary starters

ensaladilla de gambas

nerva croquetas croquetas: Málaga sausage (L) and puchero (R)

nerva gambas pilpil croquetes spicy gambas pil-pil croquetas

nerva serranito serranito especial with bulltail, fried peppers and
jamón Ibérico on toasted beetroot-dyed roll

selection of montaditos

nerva frozen grape white wine kept cool with a frozen grape

nerva arroz de ibericos arroz de Ibéricos

fried hake

nerva clams garlicky clams in sherry sauce

grilled presa Ibérica

nerva pork cheek tender-stewed carrillada Ibérica

nerva solomillo cabrales solomillo Ibérico in cabrales (blue cheese) sauce

nerva choc mousse chocolate cheesecake mousse

father and son Joaquín & Agustín

nerva tio pepe

Updated October 2017

Taberna Uvedoble

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Shawn

Updated July 2018

Modern tapas are smartly served up by chef Willie Orellana at this minimalist taberna in the heart of Málaga, a stone’s throw from the Cathedral. Excellent food with a wine list that is also well thought out and very well priced, either by the glass or bottle. Friendly and informed staff offer good attentive service.

For me the most important thing is how well it all works together: fabulous food, friendly service, reasonable prices. If I lived in Málaga this would be a regular hangout – check out the tapas menu on their website and you’ll see what I mean. But it fills up fast, especially at weekends, so try to get there early. Must tries include the swordfish collar in Iberian pork fat (you know you want this!) the toasted squid ink fideo noodles with eensy Málaga calamares and alioli, and the super tasty mini prawn pil-pil kebab. But it’s all good. Just go.

Cister 17
Málaga
Tel 951 248 478
Uve Doble Website
€ € € €

Food 10 | Wine 9 | Service 9 | Ambiance 9

uvedoble bar
uvedoble wines

uvedoble new (3)

uvedoble olives wine wine and local alora olives

uvedoble ajoblanco ajoblanco with sardines and moscatel grape granita

uvedoble empanadilla empanadilla filled with boletus and gambas

grilled asparagus with romesco sauce

uvedoble spring rolls crispy prawn springrolls with soy sauce

uvedoble ceviche swordfish ceviche with Axarquía avocado

swordfish collar (morillo) in manteca colorada with tomato chutney

uvedoble salmon tataki salmón tataky

tuna tataky with porra antequerana

uvedoble manita deboned pork trotter with tart apple and pistachio

uvedoble pulpo tender roasted pulpo with potato purée

uvedoble chistorras grilled chistorras with crispy potato straws

uvedoble prawn wrap mini kebab of gambas pil-pil with pimentón mayo

uvedoble flamenquin (1) flamenquín with presa Ibérica, cheese and padrón peppers

toasted fideos negros with calamaritos de Málaga and alioli

uvedoble lamb lamb with couscous

suckling pig on a brioche bun

uvvedoble presa grilled presa Ibérica with padrón peppers

uvedoble willie noelia chef Willie and Noelia

Updated July 2018

El Tapeo de Cervantes

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Shawn

Updated November 2014

tapeo cervantes
I was first introduced to this fabulous little bar just off the Plaza Jeronimo Cuervo (where the Teatro Cervantes is) a couple of years ago by friends who had just moved to Málaga. Co-owners and partners Gabriel and Romina have created a super-popular spot that is always packed with locals and visitors alike. If you don’t call ahead to book a table either get there early or be prepared to wait a while.

There’s a great selection of wines by the glass to pair with either traditional or innovative tapas. Favourites include the crispy jamón & manchego cheese flamenquín, grilled red tuna with cauliflower and carrot purées and the grilled secreto Ibérico. Be sure to check out the daily specials. Excellent value for money.

Also check out their second location El Mesón de Cervantes around the corner at calle Álamos 11.

Cárcer, 8
Málaga
Tel. 952 609 458
El Tapeo de Cervantes Website
€ € €

Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 8

tapeo cervantes the bar (2) the bar

tapeo cervantes jamon jamón Ibérico w/grilled asparagus, artichokes, porra antequerana

tapeo cervantes boquerones boquerones al vinagre with salmorejo and guacamole

calamari with preserved lemons

tapeo cervantes gambas crispy battered prawns

tapeo cervantes seabass hake with sweet potato

jamón Ibérico and manchego flamenquín with tomato chutney

tapeo cervantes red tuna with purées red tuna with cauliflower and carrot purées

tapeo cervantes meatballs meatballs in tomato sauce

confit bacalao with leek purée and piquillo pepper jam

tapeo cervantes chiperones pan-fried chipirones and spinach

tapeo cervantes pulpo grilled octopus with smoked paprika mash

pink salmon with herb butter and crispy black rice

tapeo cervantes secreto with pumpkin grilled secreto with pumpkin and pineapple jam

tapeo cervantes morcilla sweet potato morcilla with egg and sweet potato

tapeo cervantes boletus asparagus grilled boletus and asparagus with jamón

carrillada Ibérica with white beans and green chilis

warm apple crumble with vanilla ice cream

tapeo cervantes gabriel and romina co-owners Gabriel and Romina

tapeo cervantes tables

Updated November 2014

El Caleño

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Shawn

el caleno playa

Another fabulous seafood restaurant in the old fishing quarter of Málaga, Pedregalejos. Right on the beach you get wonderful food with a view. Best to call ahead and book a table.

Paseo Maritimo (El Pedregal)
Malaga
tel. 952 299 148
€ € €

Food 9 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 7

el caleno conchas finas conchas finas

el caleno bolos bolos

el caleno salad a “small” house salad

el caleno salmoretes salmonetes

el caleno puntillitas puntillitas (baby squid)

el caleno pimientos roasted red pepper salad

el caleno coquinas coquinas (cockles)

el caleno gambas gambas a la plancha

el caleno espeto sardines “espeto”

el caleno boquerones fried boquerones (anchovies)

La Cosmopolita

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Shawn

Updated August 2015

Opened in October 2010 and run by chef Daniel Carnero, La Cosmopolita is just off the calle Granada in the centre of Málaga. The decor is fresh and fun, with a twist on traditional. As are the tapas, which have become more inventive each year (though there are fewer tapas these days, and they are only available at the bar and selected outdoor tables). The food is very good – past favourites include the bulltail meatballs and the “pan de cristal” options (long chapata-style bread scooped out and filled with meat or cheese and then toasted). I also really like the croquetas (not something I say often) and the bacalao fritters.

Another innovation is the seasonal specials menu, usually a new one each month, and this is really worth checking out. The grilled bone marrow with prawn tartare and artichokes with pork jowl we tried were especially stunning. Also ask for recommendations from the terrific wine list.

José Denis Belgrano 3
Málaga
tel. 952 215 827
Open: 8.30 – midnight
(kitchen open 13.00 – 16.30 / 20.00 – midnight)
La Cosmopolita Website
€ € € €

Food 9 | Wine 10 | Service 8 | Ambiance 8

cosmopolita dani

chef and owner Dani Carnero

cosmopolita bulltail albondiga bulltail meatball in gravy

cosmopolita puchero croquetas de puchero

cosmopolita buñelos de bacalao buñuelos de bacalao (little cod fritters)

cosmopolita ostras Guillardeau oyster

cosmopolita ventresca lightly grilled tuna belly (ventresca)

cosmopolita pared

cosmopolita bone marrow baked bone marrow with prawn tartare

cosmopolita patatas patatas a la importancia with king crab

cosmopolita chistorra grilled chistorra with potato purée

cosmopolita ravioli aubergine with mojo rojo ravioli filled with smoked aubergine,
topped with red mojo picon

cosmopolita calamar calamares en pepitoria

cosmopolita pringa roll quail egg pringá in a warm bread roll, topped with quail egg

cosmopolita pan de cristal grilled beef with pesto on “pan de cristal”

cosmopolita pringa winter truffle pringá with winter truffle

cosmopolita lagartita lagartijo Ibérico with fresh herbs and sriracha sauce

cosmopolita jamon

cosmopolita dining area dining area

cosmopolita terraza the terraza

El Refectorium Malagueta

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Shawn

Updated July 2018

This is a fabulous neighbourhood bar just behind the bullring and a stone’s throw from Malagueta beach. Always busy and bustling, always serving excellent food. The tapas menu is small but, as with the longer restaurant menu, it’s all high quality stuff, and the service is top-notch, fast and friendly.

Sister bar to chic El Refectorium Catedral this original location has its own special charm. Make sure to try the gambas pil pil, the grilled chistorras and the rice of the day. Aside from the bar area and dining room inside there is a spacious sidewalk terrace.