Xmas in Marbella
Discussion
acquiescence said:
Where are the best places for eating out with my family at Xmas in Marbella ? I am not a grillionaire so there is a limit but would obviously push the boat out.
Any other suggestions for things to do also appreciated.
Some of the golf clubs have nice restaurants.Any other suggestions for things to do also appreciated.
Villa Tiberio 952771799
Marbella Club 952822211
Puente Romano 952820900
ShinyAndy said:
I'm still none the wiser! Are you looking for somewhere to have a "traditional English" Christmas dinner or just want recommendations for nice places to eat anything during your stay?
As to things to do... Where exactly are you going to be based and will you have a hire car?
Yes sorry Andy, we will be based on the sea front in the town and we we will have a car. Rather than just eating every night in the hotel I was hoping to venture out a bit further. However, in the current climate I know that eating out in Spain can be expensive and I have been disappointed with what has been served in 2 earlier visits to Spain this year. This time I thought I would seek recommendations for venues. Eating a traditional English Xmas dinner is not a priority but if comes recommended then that's ok too. As to things to do... Where exactly are you going to be based and will you have a hire car?
OK, well I've lived in Central Marbella for almost 4 years now and tend to go out a bit. We've just done a bit of a "rough guide" to local eateries which I can c&p here! All of these are walking distance from anywhere in Marbella Town
Spanish (no point going to any these before 9pm really as will be either shut or empty)
Bodega La Venencia - just off the paseo, commonly referred to as "the place with the barrels", locals favorite and great cheap tapas. Service can be a bit lackluster but great atmosphere inside
La Taberna del Pintxos - chain place but fantastic food, they bring around hot tapas on a tray which you grab and collect cocktail sticks which they add up at the end and you pay. Be careful though, you can spend a fortune if you keep picking the dishes with the posh plastic sticks - keep to the wooden ones!
La Red - on the beach (below the paseo) and just about the best fresh fish & paella in Marbella. In a line of loads of similar restaurants on the beach, you will spot it as it is the one packed with Spanish families. Best day is Sunday, get there about 2pm - may have to book though! Always very busy so service can be patchy but its worth it for the caldoso!
El Tonelito- buried deep in the Old Town, great tapas place that the locals seem to use as a starting point for a night out. Selection of 100 tapas that you get free with every drink. Loud, smokey and very Spanish!
Divina Tapa - spin off from Pinxtos, superb helpful waiters full of recommendations, always great service, fantastic food and great wines. Tapas starting from 1,50€ so can't really go wrong!
Taberna Matahambre - West side town (by the cinema), great fusion style tapas. Some incredible dishes like seared tuna with wasabi and a menu that will take you about an hour to both understand and decide what to have. Great value too and a huge selection of wines to try
Trocadero Playa - Far west of Marbella at the beginning of the Golden Mile but actually on the beach. Stunning restaurant with a Moroccan feel serving mainly Spanish food but with high-end presentation and quality. Not cheap but the perfect place for a romantic or special meal. One of our favorites for Lubina Sal and a nice expensive wine!
South American
Hacienda Patagonia - one line back from the paseo just opposite the marina this place is fantastic. Loud, frantic and great value for money if you take their mixed grill for 2,3 or 4 people! Hard, high chairs and full of atmosphere this place is never going to be the place for a romantic meal for two but if you want a meat overdose then you can´t get much better. Staff are great and service to match
Tanguito - tucked away in the Old Town just off Orange Square this is a great find. The restaurant is upstairs and is perfect for a romantic night out while downstairs is a fantastic bar that stays open late! Best steaks in Marbella, not super cheap but worth it
Italian
Da Brunos - Avoid the lure of the behemoth one on the paseo and try the one either at the beginning of the Golden Mile (if you happen to be up that way) or the one on the main road through Marbella (Ricardo Soriano). Food and service is much better and more than makes up for the lack of view. Prices aren't cheap but quality is good
Italian Kitchen - Never open but if you do by chance manage to catch it at lunchtime then you´ll experience great authentic Italian food for next to nothing. Nothing special location, service or decor wise but great food
Indian /Thai
Indian Dreams - Sometimes I struggle to recommend this place as I´ve had two bad Indian meals here and the service can be really shoddy. However, if you can put up with the lime green paintwork and the fact that there is usually no one in there then if you go for the Thai menu you will be pleasantly surprised at just how good the food is. Cheap menu deals can be had here (39€ for a three course Indian meal for two people with a drink) which is amazing value given that Indian food here is incredibly expensive
English/ Irish
The Blue Palm - Slap bang in the middle of the paseo and this place is the perfect solution to a Sunday hangover! It is virtually the only place in Marbella that you can get a Full English which sometimes is the only remedy! They also do a Sunday roast but never tried it as never normally in the mood by then!
Avenue Cafe – Great varied menu and a fantastic chef that is putting out classy, well thought out dishes for incredible prices. Menu also caters for coeliacs
Chinese
Hard to pick one really, all much of a muchness.. MSG laden food from most but if you really must then the one just along from Clerico (expensive but awful Argentinean restaurant) is about the best of the bunch. Service is faultless and the Menu deals are good value. Can´t remember the name at the moment but will make a note next time I´m out
Japanese
Kyoto - Had almost given up finding affordable Japanese cooking here, fortunately we found Kyoto which is tucked away in a side street. Place looks a little uninviting and probably only has 20 covers but serves fantastically fresh fish and does some great platters which contain a selection of everything
French
Casanis - Upmarket French food right at the top of the Old Town, great service and perfectly cooked and presented food. Not cheap but if you fancy something a bit different it is worth the walk
International/Fusion
ZoZoi - Old Town again but nearer the main road this time. Fantastic setting, great International food with something to suit everyone I'm sure. Not super cheap but if you are selective it can be a nice midweek treat after a hard days work!
Garum - About the only "proper restaurant" on the paseo that I could recommend. Really good and friendly service and a lovely selection of stylish food. Wonderful terrace just a little bit back from the paseo so feels a little more private and avoids people staring at your plate/tripping over your chair. Prices are in the mid range, depends what you order!
Google Map to them all: http://tinyurl.com/2v37q33
Spanish (no point going to any these before 9pm really as will be either shut or empty)
Bodega La Venencia - just off the paseo, commonly referred to as "the place with the barrels", locals favorite and great cheap tapas. Service can be a bit lackluster but great atmosphere inside
La Taberna del Pintxos - chain place but fantastic food, they bring around hot tapas on a tray which you grab and collect cocktail sticks which they add up at the end and you pay. Be careful though, you can spend a fortune if you keep picking the dishes with the posh plastic sticks - keep to the wooden ones!
La Red - on the beach (below the paseo) and just about the best fresh fish & paella in Marbella. In a line of loads of similar restaurants on the beach, you will spot it as it is the one packed with Spanish families. Best day is Sunday, get there about 2pm - may have to book though! Always very busy so service can be patchy but its worth it for the caldoso!
El Tonelito- buried deep in the Old Town, great tapas place that the locals seem to use as a starting point for a night out. Selection of 100 tapas that you get free with every drink. Loud, smokey and very Spanish!
Divina Tapa - spin off from Pinxtos, superb helpful waiters full of recommendations, always great service, fantastic food and great wines. Tapas starting from 1,50€ so can't really go wrong!
Taberna Matahambre - West side town (by the cinema), great fusion style tapas. Some incredible dishes like seared tuna with wasabi and a menu that will take you about an hour to both understand and decide what to have. Great value too and a huge selection of wines to try
Trocadero Playa - Far west of Marbella at the beginning of the Golden Mile but actually on the beach. Stunning restaurant with a Moroccan feel serving mainly Spanish food but with high-end presentation and quality. Not cheap but the perfect place for a romantic or special meal. One of our favorites for Lubina Sal and a nice expensive wine!
South American
Hacienda Patagonia - one line back from the paseo just opposite the marina this place is fantastic. Loud, frantic and great value for money if you take their mixed grill for 2,3 or 4 people! Hard, high chairs and full of atmosphere this place is never going to be the place for a romantic meal for two but if you want a meat overdose then you can´t get much better. Staff are great and service to match
Tanguito - tucked away in the Old Town just off Orange Square this is a great find. The restaurant is upstairs and is perfect for a romantic night out while downstairs is a fantastic bar that stays open late! Best steaks in Marbella, not super cheap but worth it
Italian
Da Brunos - Avoid the lure of the behemoth one on the paseo and try the one either at the beginning of the Golden Mile (if you happen to be up that way) or the one on the main road through Marbella (Ricardo Soriano). Food and service is much better and more than makes up for the lack of view. Prices aren't cheap but quality is good
Italian Kitchen - Never open but if you do by chance manage to catch it at lunchtime then you´ll experience great authentic Italian food for next to nothing. Nothing special location, service or decor wise but great food
Indian /Thai
Indian Dreams - Sometimes I struggle to recommend this place as I´ve had two bad Indian meals here and the service can be really shoddy. However, if you can put up with the lime green paintwork and the fact that there is usually no one in there then if you go for the Thai menu you will be pleasantly surprised at just how good the food is. Cheap menu deals can be had here (39€ for a three course Indian meal for two people with a drink) which is amazing value given that Indian food here is incredibly expensive
English/ Irish
The Blue Palm - Slap bang in the middle of the paseo and this place is the perfect solution to a Sunday hangover! It is virtually the only place in Marbella that you can get a Full English which sometimes is the only remedy! They also do a Sunday roast but never tried it as never normally in the mood by then!
Avenue Cafe – Great varied menu and a fantastic chef that is putting out classy, well thought out dishes for incredible prices. Menu also caters for coeliacs
Chinese
Hard to pick one really, all much of a muchness.. MSG laden food from most but if you really must then the one just along from Clerico (expensive but awful Argentinean restaurant) is about the best of the bunch. Service is faultless and the Menu deals are good value. Can´t remember the name at the moment but will make a note next time I´m out
Japanese
Kyoto - Had almost given up finding affordable Japanese cooking here, fortunately we found Kyoto which is tucked away in a side street. Place looks a little uninviting and probably only has 20 covers but serves fantastically fresh fish and does some great platters which contain a selection of everything
French
Casanis - Upmarket French food right at the top of the Old Town, great service and perfectly cooked and presented food. Not cheap but if you fancy something a bit different it is worth the walk
International/Fusion
ZoZoi - Old Town again but nearer the main road this time. Fantastic setting, great International food with something to suit everyone I'm sure. Not super cheap but if you are selective it can be a nice midweek treat after a hard days work!
Garum - About the only "proper restaurant" on the paseo that I could recommend. Really good and friendly service and a lovely selection of stylish food. Wonderful terrace just a little bit back from the paseo so feels a little more private and avoids people staring at your plate/tripping over your chair. Prices are in the mid range, depends what you order!
Google Map to them all: http://tinyurl.com/2v37q33
Edited by ShinyAndy on Thursday 9th December 11:24
Things to do:
Hmmm, not much really as you can imagine it's more of a summer/outside place! Drive up to Ronda for a day, nip into Malaga to see the Picasso Museum, bit of shopping/10-pin bowling in La Cañada?? If it's raining then you are pretty much stuffed, we tend to just find a warm bar and stay the day!
Hmmm, not much really as you can imagine it's more of a summer/outside place! Drive up to Ronda for a day, nip into Malaga to see the Picasso Museum, bit of shopping/10-pin bowling in La Cañada?? If it's raining then you are pretty much stuffed, we tend to just find a warm bar and stay the day!
Edited by ShinyAndy on Thursday 9th December 11:28
ShinyAndy said:
Italian Kitchen - Never open but if you do by chance manage to catch it at lunchtime then you´ll experience great authentic Italian food for next to nothing. Nothing special location, service or decor wise but great food
Had to laugh, when I read this. I've never managed to find them open, but the wife keeps reminding me the food is great.Edited by ShinyAndy on Thursday 9th December 11:24
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