La Barra belongs to the ever-growing Gorki chain of restaurants and is their “market kitchen” bar. It’s in a great location in central Málaga and has a nice terrace on pedestrianised calle Bolsa, as well as seating inside at the bar. There are also a couple of tables at the back which is apparently a dining area. I found this out on my third visit after sitting at a bar table near the front door and almost getting knocked out by a constantly spritzing “air freshener” (not noticable in the area directly in front of the bar). I was moved to a table at the back of the room – really right next to the bar tables – and was charged 1.80€ “table service” for the privilege. So basically, don’t sit there.
If you stop in for a quick tapita at the bar you can enjoy a nice assortment of tasty tapas, prettily presented. Service is professional and efficient, wines are good.
Bolsa 8
Tel 952 22 39 54
€ € € €
Food 6 | Wine 7 | Service 6 | Ambiance 5
octopus, olive and hot pepper gilda
butter fish with pickled seaweed
grilled presa Ibérica with grainy mustard sauce
octopus mayo salad
grilled pork with potatoes and padrón potatoes
boquerones fritos
chocos fritos
puntillitas (tiny squid)
fried filo with bolognese and blue cheese sauce (complimentary)
pork ribs “de orza” (complimentary)
egg, chistoras & potatoes (complimentary)
bacalao al ajo arriero (peppers, garlic, onions)
fried cochinillo (baby pork belly)
dining area in front of the bar
gambas al ajillo
calamares & sea bass
fried tuna ventresca? with fins attached?
fried fish selection: hake, cuttlefish, red mullet, cuttlefish, john dory
fried prawns
prawn, leek and wakame croquettes
red tuna chicharrones
mixed salad
breaded chocos (cuttlefish)
bacalao fritters over roasted peppers
fried egg with artichokes and jamón
arroz negro with strips of chocos
sea bass in tempura with piquillo sauce
carrillada Ibérica
grilled presa Ibérica with chips
grilled presa with jamón and salmorejo
complimentary ensaladilla starter
stewed artichokes with jamón
bric pastry filled with venison
crispy fried chocos
meatballs
prawn skewers with avocado dip
lomo al Jerez on toast with PX reduction
salt cod fritters with wasabi mayo
grilled secreto Ibérico with fresh tomato and jamón
ensaladilla with squid ink and chocos
grilled secreto Ibérico with salmorejo
chicharrones de Chiclana with payoyo Villaluenga and tomato pesto
artichoke flowers with lots of evoo
mini beef burger with bacon
panko breaded chicken with guacamole
fried potatoes with alioli
chorizo a la Riojana
king prawns in tempura
grilled presa Ibérica and chips
leche frita
Located in Spain’s only octagonal square, Arxiduna is made even more unique by its natural cave dining areas, which were once used as a Mozárabe church and have been declared a Heritage site by the Andalucía government. There are three such dining areas inside along with a cosy bar area, and a spacious terrace with lovely views out in the square.
the bar
porra with purple carrot crumble, olive oil foam, tomato
pringá “sabor a madre”
whack of mini burgers
boquerones in flaky pastry
BBQ’d pork ribs
chargrilled octopus with guacamole and oyster sauce
mackerel with pickled veg and tuna in dark chocolate
grilled sea bass with fresh grilled veg and berberecho sauce
moroccan chicken pastela with dried fruit and apple sauce
bocata de calamares on a squid ink bun with mustard alioli
chicken curry risotto with coconut milk and parmesan,
putaitas (abanico Ibérico) with peppers, mango and black garlic
grilled presa Ibérica with mojo picón
vanilla and chocolate coulantes with berries
open kitchen with charcoal grill
Team Arxiduna
one of the cave dining rooms
terrace view