‘Paquito El Limpio', 'El Estrecho', 'La Polaca', 'Bar Fiesta', 'Chiringuito Pepe's Bar', 'Taberna Gaspar'... are some of the names of bars and taverns in Marbella to try the most traditional gastronomy in the area. Everything revolves around the old town, a place where you can find narrow streets that preserve the essence of the town that Marbella was, with its whitewashed houses, flowerpots all around, shops and patios. This includes all the bars and taverns, where you'll discover the most traditional gastronomy of Marbella. At La Ciudadella de Marbella we’d like to recommend you the best tapas tour in the city.

The best places for tapas in Marbella

Lobito de Mar in Marbella

One of the best places for tapas and gastronomy in Marbella is Lobito de Mar Marbella, a beach bar with a traditional menu located just 13 minutes by bus from our Hotel Santo Cristo in Marbella. Here, the food is the top priority; every day its staff travel to the best places in Andalusia to bring the freshest fish to the restaurant.

Taberna la niña del pisto in Marbella

The Taberna La Niña del Pisto, located at just a 5-minute walk from the Hotel Santo Cristo in Marbella, is a Cordovan tavern located in the historic centre of Marbella. This tavern is a twin to the original Cordovan Casa El Pisto, also known as Taberna San Miguel, located in the same Plaza San Miguel. It’s located in a very narrow street near the Plaza de los Naranjos in Marbella. A dish that especially stands out in the tavern La Niña del pisto is the Rabo de toro (oxtail), although we can't forget other traditional dishes either, such as pisto with egg, salmorejo or flamenquín.

El Estrecho in Marbella

The Plaza de la Victoria, located just 6 minutes from the Hotel Santo Cristo in Marbella, is a good starting point to begin your tapas tour around Mabella. From there you reach Calle de San Lázaro, a narrow street where 'El Estrecho', one of the oldest taverns, is hidden in this passageway of greenery and white walls. It's been open since 1954.

Fiesta bar del mercao in Marbella

Very close to Marbella Municipal Market and only a 4-minute walk from the Hotel Maison Ardois in Marbella you can find La Fiesta bar del mercao de Marbella, a tapas bar where they serve the famous "bocadillos de carne mechá" that will drive anyone crazy who tries them, among other delicious traditional Marbella dishes.

La Polaca in Marbella

Close to the restaurants mentioned above is 'La Polaca', one of the best tapas restaurants in Marbella, which is known for being a space that looks more like a museum of the 60s, 70s and 80s than a tavern. Here you can enjoy the entertainment such as micro-theatre sessions, yeyé music, geek parties... A place with a lot of space spread over two floors with a bar area, tables, terraces, where everyone can find their place and order anything from tripe or salmorejo to flamenquin with ham and cauliflower. In the evenings, the copeteo is typical.

Paquito El Limpio in Marbella

Andalusian tiles up to the ceiling, a tin bar, liquor bottles, glass counter... it’s known as the authentic bar and it’s only a 2-minute walk from the Maison Ardois hotel in Marbella. The tapita de bacalao con tomate (cod with tomato) is one of its star dishes, among others. People come here not only from Marbella, but from all over Spain.

Calle Aduar, 36. Marbella, Malaga.

Taberna Gaspar in Marbella

La Taberna Gaspar is located outside the old town of Marbella, close to the beach. It's been around for almost 24 years and is just a 7-minute walk from both the Hotel Santo Cristo Marbella and the Hotel Maison Ardois in Marbella. It has a beautifully rustic style in the shape of a 'u'. It’s usually full both day and night, in winter and summer. They offer generous portions, good stews and fresh ingredients, giving you the best dishes according to the season.

Chiringuito Pepe’s Bar Marba in Marbella

And what better place to end your tapas tour in Marbella than a stop at Chiringuito de Pepe, the best place near the beach to eat an espeto (sardines), a delicacy that involves skewering fish and grilling them. A highly recommended restaurant although it’s a little far from our La Ciudadela Marbella hotels, so you'll need to take a car. Cooked over an olive tree wood fire, the fresh fish is carefully placed so as not to break any bones. This is the key to them having won several awards.