Torremolinos Restaurant Tips by toonsarah Top 5 Page for this destination

Lepanto: Delicious cakes and ice cream

We came to this excellent coffee shop twice – on Saturday afternoon for a bite to supplement our tapas lunch, and on Sunday morning for breakfast. On both occasions we were impressed by the quality of the goodies available and the reasonable prices.

Favorite Dish: On the first occasion we arrived with Stacy (beach dog)after our walk back to the centre, planning on having a coffee. But the ice creams on display near the door changed our minds for us, so it was ices all round. All were delicious, but the stand-out flavours were probably the dulce de leche and chocolate with rum. Our two-scoop bowls cost 4€ each. When the rest of our group arrived they opted for coffee and cakes, and the latter looked so good that we had to sample one too - a delicious chocolate mousse-like concoction! I’m not sure how much this lovely treat cost as Carmen (Carmela71) insisted on paying the bill for the whole group – thank you Carmen :-)

We returned the next morning for breakfast, and had a good croissant each, two cappuccinos and a glass of fresh orange juice for 11€. My only quibble would be that the coffees came with whipped cream on top - not really a cappuccino therefore, and not really to my taste. It was easily scooped off however, and the coffee beneath was good and strong.

Address: Calle San Miguel 54, Torremolinos

Comparison: about average

Directions: On the left-hand side as you climb Calle San Miguel from the lift or top of the steps

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Coffeehouse

Vinoteca Elephante: A great place for tapas and local colour

Gillian (Gillybob) had tracked down this authentic tapas and wine bar and proposed it as a good place for our Saturday lunch after our walk along the Paseo Marítimo, which indeed it proved to be. Located a couple of blocks from the sea in a more residential part of the town, it had a genuine local feel and a good selection of tapas.

Favorite Dish: Our drinks (the house white wine for me, San Miguel for Chris) were accompanied by two little treats – a small bite of tortilla and a spoon of a delicious risotto-like rice dish. We supplemented these with a selection of four tapas chosen from the display at the counter, including another tasty tortilla with chunks of herby potato, a spatchcock quail, and a slice of typical Basque black pudding topped with a fried quails egg (the tapas here are apparently Basque style rather than the local Andalucian, although to my uninitiated taste-buds the difference was not obvious, and should therefore more properly be called pinxo). Although only a light meal it was enough for us, and we paid a very reasonable 11€ (with my generous glass of wine being just 2€) – very good value indeed. I wish now we had sampled more dishes – especially as it would turn out that we would have no dinner that evening, as we got swept up in the excitement of the Barney Awards ceremony!

Address: Calle Decano Juan de Espino, Torremolinos

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Wine Bar/Wine Tasting

Tiki: Something for everyone

A receptionist at the Apartamentos Bajondillo recommended this restaurant, just a short stroll along the Paseo Mairitimo from the apartments, so our group of 15 headed there for dinner on Friday evening. We got a friendly welcome and tables were quickly rearranged to seat us together. The menu here is a mix of Spanish (tapas) and international, but the theme, slightly oddly, appears to be Polynesian or similar, with a colourful fish tank, shellfish murals and other tropical island motifs.

Favorite Dish: Chris and I had eaten a late lunch so wanted something reasonably light, which both our choices proved to be. Chris’s goats cheese ravioli was pronounced to be the prettiest dish of the evening, beautifully arranged on its slate platter. He found it tasty but would have been disappointed with the small size of the portion if he had been any hungrier. My salmon in a spinach sauce was colourful, and the fish was good, though I was disappointed not to be able to taste the promised ginger among all the other flavours. With the cover (olives and tortilla chips with a dip), a large draft beer for Chris and a bottle of San Miguel for me, we paid 40€ with service for our two meals – not cheap for the amount we ate but reasonable for the quality.

Other choices were pizzas (which looked excellent), burgers, salads, tuna, other pasta dishes, duck and more.

Address: Paseo Marítimo Bajondillo 31

Comparison: about average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.tikirestaurant.es/

Restaurante La Paella: Lunch by the sea

We had a late lunch here on our first afternoon in Torremolionos, choosing it mainly for its proximity to our apartments and to the sea, as we were enjoying our first views of blue water and blue sky for some time! We also liked the fact that locals appeared to be eating here. The restaurant is on the beach side of the road and large glass windows ensure lots of light as well as a view. Seating is on plastic chairs but tables are nicely laid and the atmosphere was friendly.

Favorite Dish: We chose a selection of three raciones (larger tapas plates) – fried calamari, chips and fried peppers. The first two were fine, and there was a generous supply of lemon to squeeze on the squid, but the peppers were a little oily and lacked much flavour. We had a bottle of San Miguel each, and with the cover (bread and olives) paid about 22€ without service.

Address: Paseo Marítimo Bajondillo

Comparison: about average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Seafood