8 Best Local Foods in Malaga: Tapas, Seafood, and Wine 

Want to try the best local foods in Malaga? Malaga is the Mecca of traditional Andalusian cuisine. Numerous local food festivals and an extensive assortment of culinary establishments confirm the special attitude of Malagueños towards food. 

Yes, today Malaga cuisine is one of the best examples of Mediterranean gastronomy, which extends to much of Southern Europe and North Africa. Vegetables, fresh fruits, fish, and low consumption of red meat are the main features of this cuisine. Such components are very useful for the body and, at the same time, lower cholesterol levels, thereby significantly increasing life expectancy.

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If you are going on a trip to Malaga soon, it will be handy for you to know what delights to try first. Let’s look at the main local dishes, snacks, and drinks of Andalusian cuisine.

Tapas and Salads 

Tapas is the so-called appetiser in Spain. Usually, it consists of a slice of bread topped with cured ham, vegetables, or other ingredients. Popular starters and salads in Malaga include: 

Ensalada Malaguena 

As one of the classic dishes in almost all local bars and restaurants, this salad is very popular in Malaga. It contains boiled potatoes, unsalted cod, orange slices, olives, onions, olive oil, and salt. This is a typical light and refreshing Spanish dish, perfect for a summer snack. 

Bocadillo Campero 

Spanish-style fast food can be healthy, and Bocadillo Campero is the best proof. From the outside, it looks like a rustic sandwich or burger with ham, mayonnaise, lettuce, cheese, and tomato. Recently, the variety of toppings and combinations has multiplied considerably and can include tuna, grilled chicken, pork, and eggs. This type of sandwich is very popular in Malaga, and you may find it in almost all local bars or fast food restaurants.

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Fish and Seafood 

Spain, together with Portugal, are among the largest consumers of fish in the world. Naturally, this fact has influenced the local cuisine, which is full of fish and seafood dishes. Malaga gastronomy involves various types of fish, from the familiar mackerel, sardines and cod to sharks, eels and even such a delicacy as the sea bass tongue. Here are some local fish and seafood specialities: 

Rosada fried with Alioli sauce 

Numerous chiringuitos on the beach specialise in this dish, so head to the coast for a true taste of Rosada. The recipe for this fish is very simple: the chef sprinkles Rosada with flour and fries it in olive oil. The fish will be even tastier if served with Alioli sauce consisting of garlic and mayonnaise. This dish is popular even among those who don’t like fish.

Fritura Malaguena 

Fritura is definitely one of the most popular culinary products in Malaga. The dish consists of a wide range of fried fish, including mullet, pijotas, anchovies, boquerones, baby squid, rosada, and hake, stacked on a huge plate. 

The key to a perfect Fritura malagueña is the flour: the chefs use a special flour that makes the fish crispy on the outside and not too greasy on the inside. The temperature of the oil is also very important – it should be 180°C when frying.

Popular places in Malaga to eat excellent Fritura are “El Chinitas” (Address: C. Moreno Monroy, 4) and “Taberna Los Hidalgos” (Address: C. Duque de la Victoria, 8). The best way to get to each of these establishments is through car hire in Spain. Multiple car hire companies at Malaga Airport offer cheap deals for all tastes, so you can easily find the right vehicle for you.

Espetos 

If you walk along the beach at lunchtime, the smell of grilled sardines will soon whet your appetite. Espetos are sardines skewered and grilled over wood. According to local fishermen, the ideal time to eat sardines is May, June, July, and August, when the fish are fatter and tastier. Usually, malagueños accompany this dish with a cold, almost frozen beer, which is ideal to withstand the high air temperatures in summer.

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Gazpachuelo 

Gazpachuelo consists of fish offal, including fish tails and heads, accompanied by homemade garlic mayonnaise, bread, boiled eggs, and boiled potatoes. Over the years, this fish soup has taken on many variations – some restaurants add shrimp or baby anchovies to enrich this appetising dish. “Mesón Rincón Catedral” (Address: C. Cañón, 7) is one of the most popular places to enjoy an authentic “gazpachuelo” in Malaga.

Wine and Sweet Treats 

Note: Alcohol is injurius for health. For many reasons, we suggest you to avoid wine

Andalusia is among the largest wine-producing regions in Spain. The Turdetans planted and cultivated grapes and made wines. Later, the Romans began to cultivate large tracts of land to produce wine and export it throughout the empire. 

Today, winemakers use the magnificent Pedro Ximenez and Moscatel grapes to produce excellent sweet wines very typical of the province of Malaga. By the way, the Bodegas Quitapenas winery offers fantastic tours and excursions to learn more about the local wines.

If you love desserts, Malaga has a lot to offer as well. Basically, they use local ingredients for sweet dishes. Here are the most popular treats: 

Bienmesabe Antequerano 

This is an Arabic-style cake where the main ingredients are almonds and pumpkin marmalade. For the first time, this delicious cake was prepared by the nuns of the Bethlehem monastery in the town of Antequera. However, today you can buy it in almost any patisserie, supermarket, or restaurant in Malaga. 

Borrachuelo 

The main feature of this dessert is biscuit impregnation which consists of wine and anise syrup. Cooking begins with kneading dough for cookies. Common ingredients include olive oil, flour, lemon juice, Moscatel wine, anisette, orange peel strips, fennel, and sesame seeds. 

Then, the dough is cut into circles and baked until golden brown. After that, these pieces are filled with pumpkin or sweet potato mixture and wrapped. You end up dipping them in honey and dusting them with powdered sugar before eating.

Conclusion

Summing it up, having a culinary trip to Malaga is a perfect way to get to know the local food scene and just have a great time enjoying the sunshine. From tapas and seafood to wine and desserts, this Andalusian city holds iconic Spanish gastronomic traditions you’ll love to experience. So, get your taste buds ready and hit the road!