Last Visited: October, 2003 Number of visits 10+

Location:By the swimming pool, overlooking the Sea

You can't get a better location, with such a great view. Obviously an excellent place for chilling out round the pool, but good value dinners are served in the evenings and lunchtimes (they have recently started doing takeaway food as well which should be useful). It is especially worth looking out for the special buffet nights, where a good buffet dinner is served followed by entertainment of some description. There is a no-smoking area at the sea end of the restaurant. Expect to pay around 40 Euros including wine, water, coffee and entertainment.
Also worth mentioning is the excellent Costa Natura shop which is usually open at 9am every day to sell fresh breakfast rolls etc. For example, we purchased a baguette, 2 croissants, butter and marmalade for about 2 Euros.

Last Visited: October, 2003 Number of visits 1

Location:Urb. Arena Beach, Km 151 N340, Estepona
Phone: 952 79 27 34
This restaurant was recommended to us by one of our regular guests, and was sitting under our noses without us realizing it was so good. It is almost worth going for the crepes suzette at the end of the meal, which is a true theatrical performance, but everything here was good. For a full three course meal, expect to pay around 78 Euros including wine, water and coffee.

Last Visited: October 2003, Number of visits 10+

Location: Drive into the port area and turn right at the roundabout. Find somewhere to park, parking is free on the top level and chargable on the lower level by the restaurants. The restaurant is immediately on the right of the centre of the port.

Excellent value for money food, eg, 2 Spaghetti with salmon/cream, 1 beer, 1/2 bottle of red wine and 2 Capuccinos for 31.50€ (about £20 for two).

Last Visited: February 2000, Number of visits 1

Location: Calle Caridad,54, Estepona. Argentinian grill

Not for vegetarians - make sure you are really hungry before you go, all portions are enormous. We had a side salad and escalope of beef for 4725 pts (about £ 20 for two). They don't serve coffee.

Last Visited: February, 2003 Number of visits 2

Location: On the upper level of Estepona port, to the right.
Phone: 952 79 66 06 (booking advised)

This restaurant is popular, even on a Monday evening in November, and rightly so. The food is delicious, the service immaculate from the complementary glasses of sparkling wine when you sit down, the amuse bouche, the electric pepper mill, the complementary lemon liqueur. We had home made pasta as a main course, followed by tiramisu and zabaglione. Cost was € 45 for the two meals including beer, wine and coffee.

Last Visited: November, 2002 Number of visits 1

Location:Plaza de Fuente, Puerto de Duquesa - upper level of Duquesa port (Take the N340 towards Algeciras)
Phone: 952 890 520

This restaurant has more room than Rosatti, so there probably is not the same necessity to book. However, the food is still excellent. You don't get the complementary sparkling wine, amuse bouche and lemon liqueur, we had garlic bread, followed by home made ravioli, fillet steak (solomillo Capitano). Price including wine, beer and coffee was €47 for the two meals.

Last Visited: September 2002, Number of visits 6

Website: http://www.buenas-mesas.com/elcoto.htm
Phone: 952 786 688

Location: Left-hand side of C339, travelling from San Pedro De Alcantara towards Ronda - about 7 kms from San Pedro. Park in restaurant's own car park. Very popular so get there early.

We had an excellent 3 course lunch complete with wine, coffee, water and a complimentary liquer for 63.00€ (about £40 for two).

Last Visited October 2003, Number of visits 6

Location: Signposted off the N340 just past Puerto Banus, before you get to Marbella.

Phone:952-76-55-33

What can we say? Not spanish at all, in fact a rather confusing mixture of cultures, as the waiters were mainly Chinese and the menu is very American. Excellent ribs and steak - not to mention the onion loaf and well worth the short journey from nearby Puerto Banus, it is far better than any of the restaurants there. If you fancy an 'American' style meal, this restaurant would be our recommendation. One problem is that there is not much parking. Prices are good, our last meal cost 34 Euros for two, including starter, main course, beer and coffee (about £20)

Last Visited October 2003

Location: Puerto Banus

Because of the touristy nature in Puerto Banus, it is difficult to find restaurants which can be recommended, so far the only one we have personally found is:

Gambrinus - near El Cortes Ingles, the Shopping Center and Cinema - excellent for tapas and beer.

Others that have been suggested to us (but not yet tried):

Picasso Pizzeria - on the front - good value pizzas
Tango - opposite the square - Highly popular restaurant which serves the typical Argentinian staple of top-quality grilled meat.

And ones we definitely CAN NOT recommend (at least in high season):

Rock & Ribs - bad service and food
Pasta Factory - food is not too bad, but the service is poor.
Jacks American Brasserie - food OK, but high-priced

Last Visited October 2003, Number of visits 6

Location: Cabopino Port

Yes, it is a British restaurant and they serve syrup sponge and custard in the middle of August! But the food is excellent value, the setting is superb and the port itself is where parts of the ill-fated soap, Eldorado, were filmed. It's also very close to the Cabopino naturist beach. Try the club sandwiches, toasted or otherwise.

Two lunch time meals of Avocado Prawn Salads and 2 beers cost 24€ (about £15).

Note that if you pay to park in the port area, as opposed to the beach, the restaurant will credit the parking fee against the cost of your meal .

Last Visited: October, 2003 Number of visits 1

Location:Urbanization Marbesa, Avenida Aragon, Marbella
Phone: 952 832438

If you visit Cabopino Port, and spend some time on the superb naturist beach, you might want to consider this restaurant for good quality sea-food and bar snacks. Walk towards Marbella, past the end of the naturist area, past the Triana restaurant (we haven't tried Triana yet), and walk for another 100 yards or so. Rama is a quite imposing brick structure so you should be able to find it quite easily. A snack meal for two consisting of a large portion of melon and ham, together with excellent prawns pil-pil with fresh bread,two beers,two capochinos cost 26 Euros. The sea view was free.

Last Visited: October, 2003 Number of visits 1

Location:Urbanization Carib Playa, Marbella (Located on the N340 after Elviria, and before Puerto Cabopino

A typically atmospheric spanish restaurant specialising in Carnes a la Brasa (meat grilled over charcoal). Very good value 3 course set menus, ranging from about 8 Euros upwards. We paid 45 Euros for an excellent meal including wine, water and coffee.

Last Visited: February 2002, Number of visits 2

Location: You will see the signs as you come out of Malaga airport, heading for Algeciras and Costanatura.

A good 3 course lunch including glass of dry sherry each, bottle of wine, and coffee cost us 10,400 pts (about £ 42 for two). You can walk down to the beach, afterwards, and either watch the golfers or enjoy the view towards Malaga.

Also excellent for breakfast - buffet style, as much as you can eat of almost anything (except a traditional English Breakfast) for around £6.00 each.

Last Visited: May 2000 , Number of Visits 1

Location: Follow the signs to the Gibralfaro (Muslim Castle), the Parador itself is also signposted.

Fantastic views over Malaga from the dining room. We had the Chef's gourmet special which consisted of:
Glass of sherry
Fresh-baked bread with fresh tomato puree and olive oil
Slice of Haggis-like sausage on fresh bread
Cold ham, anchovies, cheese starter
Cold creamy garlic and bean soup
Cod with a vegetable sauce
Roast suckling lamb with vegetables
A plate full of different types of dessert including tartes, ice-cream, chocolate mousse and fresh strawberries.
Price was 12947 pts including wine, mineral water and coffee (£ 52 for two)

Last Visited: October, 2003 Number of visits 1

Location:Calle Juan Diaz, Central Malaga
Phone: 952 603 920

If you are visiting Central Malaga for the shops, Trillo is a long established and old-fashioned tapas bar, situated in a side road near the main shopping area. Excellent value of course, and steeped in history. It will, however, tax your tolerance if you are a non-smoker.

Last Visited: October 2003, Number of visits 3
Phone: 952 15 12 39

Location: Either take the toll road (Autopista/Peaje) to Manilva or take the MA539 from San Luis de Sabinillas, 11km West of Estepona, as far as Gaucin. Turn left at the village and follow the C341 past the petrol station and out of Gaucin. There is a good place to stop here if you find you've allowed a little more time than is necessary. After 2km, take the right fork, the MA512 towards El Colmenar. About 2km along this road, a sign directs you to El Puerto Negro along an unmade road. Remember to close the gate!

Reservations are essential and you can only book for Sunday lunch (English spoken extremely well) and allow at least 30-40 minutes for the drive. Superb restaurant, there is no choice of menu (but you will be asked when you phone if there is anything you don't eat). Expect high-class cooking making the most of local produce, in a relaxed, very friendly atmosphere (usually second helpings are on offer if you can manage to eat it). The number of guests is relatively small and there is usually friendly conversation between all the guests during the aperitifs and coffee on the terrace. However, it quite possible to wander off on your own through the gardens, admiring the splendid views. On a clear day you can see all the way to Gibraltar and across to Africa (although we've never been that lucky), and perhaps you might spot an eagle. We paid 98.00€ (£61 for two) this included aperitifs, wine, water and coffee. The experience is worth every cent!

Last Visited: February 2003, Number of visits 2

Location: Sea front at La Linea, you will probably pass it on the way to Gibraltar. Park in front of the restaurant, a man will guide you to a place and guard your car for you while you are dining.

Specialises in sea-food, very friendly staff and a view of the Rock of Gibraltar while you eat. Our bill came to 7,624 pts (£ 30 for two)

Last Visited: February 2000, Number of visits 1

Location: Real de la Alhambra, In the heart of Alhambra, the gardens face the Generalife Gardens.

From the complementary glass of chilled dry sherry to the immaculately presented desserts, everything is perfect. We spent 9551 pts for 3 course lunch including wine and coffee (about £ 40 for two). Note that the Paradors sometimes have a promotion on where every fifth meal is free.

Last Visited: February 2000, Number of visits 1

Location: Plaza de Espana, Ronda.

Overlooking the Ronda Gorge, you must have coffee here even if you don't have the full meal, just for the view from the terrace. For comments, see the Parador de Granada. Price was 9239 pts for a 3 course lunch with wine and coffee (about £ 40 for two).

Last Visited February 2002, Number of visits 1

Location: Benalauria (In the mountains, between Ronda and Gaucin)

Website: www.molienda.com
Phone: 952 215 2548

Quite a long drive along mountain roads to reach this restaurant, but well worth it, and the views, for the passenger(s) at least make it truly worthwhile. You must reserve a table in advance (preferably in spanish), this restaurant is very popular despite its remote location.

The Meson La Molienda restaurant is reached via a steep decent from the C341, ensure you take the turning to Benalauria, as there are villages with similar names nearby. You need to park just outside the village and walk in, the restaurant is on the left shortly after entering the village.

The meal we had cost about 44 Euros for two and consisted of: 1 Cream of Vegetable Soup, 1 Hot Gazpacho Soup, 1 Pheasant Casserole, 1 Venison Casserole, 1 chestnut mousse, 1 Chestnuts in Brandy Syrup, Wine and Coffee. The soups were almost a meal in themselves.

Last Visited: October,2003 Number of visits 2

Location: Calle Larga, Jerez (junction of Calle Larga and Calle Santa Maria - walk down Avenida Alcalde Alvaro Domecq to the end)

The best tapas bar we have found to date, with tapas such as hake stuffed with salmon in a prawn sauce, small "hamburger" of monkfish & langostine in a pepper sauce, duck breast in sweet sherry - all priced between €1.20 and €1.80. Almost worth travelling to Jerez just for this. Expect to spend between 20 to 30 Euros for 2. There is also a restaurant upstairs where you can sample imaginative spanish cuisine at very reasonable prices, expect to pay around 60 Euros for 2 including water,wine,beer and coffee.

Last Visited: November, 2002 Number of visits 1

Location:Follow the Parador signposts - Calle Almunecar
Phone: 95-2520050

A more modern parador than most, and recently refurbished. Make sure you get a seat by the window - the view of the sea and rocky coastline is spectacular. On our last visit, it was raining very hard, so we could see waterfalls coming off the cliffs. Food, as always with a parador is excellent, and will cost around £40 for two, including wine and coffee.