Looking for the best places to eat and drink during your holiday in Benalmádena?
We recently asked our Facebook fans, Instagram followers and loyal Sunset Beach Club guests to share their favourite restaurants, bars and hidden gems. We couldn’t have asked for a better response… hundreds of comments and recommendations covering everything from traditional Spanish tapas and beachfront seafood to lively cocktail bars and family-friendly pubs.
Based on their suggestions, we’ve created this useful guide to some of the most popular restaurants and bars in Benalmádena and included a Google Map with all the best locations so that you can find them easily!
Benalmadena’s Most Recommended Restaurants
Metro Ristorante Italiano (12 Recommendations)
Located in Puerto Marina, Metro was one of the most frequently mentioned restaurants by our followers and fans. Known for its authentic Italian cuisine, it receives consistent praise for its pasta dishes, pizzas and marina-side setting.
Lime & Lemon (10 Recommendations)
A long-time favourite among visitors, Lime & Lemon offers modern tapas, sharing platters and sea views. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it perfect for sunset dining.
Angus Steakhouse (8 Recommendations)
Just a short walk from Sunset Beach Club in the Torrequebrada area, Angus Steakhouse remains a popular choice for quality steaks and generous portions.
Coast to Coast (8 Recommendations)
Situated in Las Gaviotas, Coast to Coast received numerous recommendations for its varied menu and welcoming service.
Santa Ana Denis (7 Recommendations)
Located near Playa Santa Ana, this restaurant is popular with both locals and visitors looking for traditional Spanish cuisine and tapas close to the beach.
Panda Chinese (6 Recommendations)
A firm favourite for Chinese cuisine in the Bonanza Square area, Panda Chinese was among the most frequently mentioned Asian restaurants.
The Carvery Montemar (6 Recommendations)
British and Irish holidaymakers continue to love The Carvery, particularly for its traditional roast dinner buffet and mouth-watering homemade desserts.
Jack’s Smokehouse (6 Recommendations)
For BBQ lovers, Jack’s Smokehouse in Puerto Marina was repeatedly highlighted for its smoked meats, burgers and steaks.
La Cala (5 Recommendations)
This seafront restaurant is highly regarded for Mediterranean dishes, seafood and its beautiful beachfront setting. (Just a few hundred metres from Sunset Beach Club).
More Guest-Recommended Restaurants in Benalmadena
While the venues above received the highest number of recommendations from our fans, many other excellent restaurants were mentioned. To help you choose the perfect place to dine, we’ve grouped them by cuisine.
🇮🇹 Best Italian Restaurants
If you’re craving authentic Italian flavours, our guests highly recommend:
- Pinocchio
- Pasta Fresca
- Amici’s
- Da Fano
- Sabatini’s
From traditional pizzas and homemade pasta to classic Italian desserts, these restaurants continue to be popular with holidaymakers visiting Benalmádena.
🇪🇸 Best Spanish & Tapas Restaurants
For a true taste of Andalucía, these Spanish favourites came highly recommended:
- El Cordero
- Toro
- En Boca
- Santa Ana Denis
Expect traditional tapas, grilled meats, local wines and plenty of authentic Spanish charm.
🦞 Best Seafood Restaurants
Being a coastal destination, Benalmádena offers some fantastic seafood dining options. Our followers highlighted:
- La Cala
- Los Mellizos
- Oceans Fish & Chips
Whether you’re looking for fresh grilled fish, seafood paella or classic fish and chips, these venues are well worth a visit.
🇮🇳 Best Indian Restaurants
Guests looking for aromatic curries and Indian specialities recommended:
- The Cinnamon Club
- Namaste
- Harry’s Restro
Both are popular choices among returning visitors and offer a wide selection of Indian favourites.
🥢 Best Asian Restaurants
For Chinese, Japanese and Asian-inspired cuisine, our followers suggested:
- Panda Chinese
- The Water Margin
- Restaurant Miyume
These restaurants offer everything from traditional Chinese dishes to contemporary Asian fusion cuisine.
🌍 International & Mediterranean Dining
For diners seeking a varied menu or modern Mediterranean flavours, consider:
- La Terraza
- Lola’s
- Uma Cocina
- Las Brisas
- Casa Emilio’s
These venues offer a broad range of cuisine styles and are ideal for groups with different tastes.
🥩 Best Steakhouses & Grill Restaurants
Meat lovers should add these recommendations to their list:
- Gaucho Grill
- Quebracho
Both were praised by guests for their quality steaks, grilled specialities and generous portions.
Benalmadena’s Most Recommended Bars
The Dizzy Donkey (25 Recommendations)
The clear overall winner of the survey, The Dizzy Donkey received more recommendations than any other venue. Known for its combination of food, drinks, live entertainment and welcoming atmosphere, it has become a favourite meeting place for many returning visitors.
Palm 5 Beach Bar (13 Recommendations)
Located along the seafront, Palm 5 Beach Bar was one of the most popular drinking spots mentioned. Guests highlighted the beachfront location, cocktails and relaxed holiday vibe.
Darcie’s Motown & Soul Bar (9 Recommendations)
A popular venue for live music and entertainment, Darcie’s attracts visitors looking for a lively evening with great music and friendly service.
Kaleido (6 Recommendations)
Located in Puerto Marina, Kaleido combines stylish cocktails, sea views and modern dining, making it one of the area’s most popular all-round venues.
Bar Beny’s (6 Recommendations)
Guests frequently recommended Bar Beny’s for seafood, paella, drinks and its excellent seafront position.
Jollie Collies (5 Recommendations)
A favourite in Bonanza Square, Jollie Collies is known for its traditional pub atmosphere, drinks and popular Sunday roasts.
Other Popular Bars Mentioned by Guests
- Carte D’Or Beach Bar
- Buddy’s Ole Square
- Potters Lodge
- Maracas Beach Bar
- Ha’penny Bridge
- O’Haras Irish Pub
- Mullarkeys
- Brian’s Bar
- Johnnies
- Morrisons
- South Beach
- Salitos (Sunset Beach Club’s very own Chillout cocktail bar on the seafront) 😉
- Coco Bongo
- Gecko Beach Shack
These venues cover everything from sports bars and Irish pubs to beach clubs, cocktail lounges and live music venues.
Great Places for Both Food and Drinks
Several venues stood out because guests recommended them equally for dining and socialising:
- The Dizzy Donkey
- Bar Beny’s
- The Drunken Sailor
- Jollie Collies
- Gibsons Bar & Kitchen
- Café Soleil
- Secret Garden
- Bodega Papi
- Palm 5 Beach Bar
These are excellent choices if you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite or drink.
A Few More Recommendations…
- Ocampo: Argentininan Restaurant in the back streets of Arroyo de la Miel
- King of Curries: Suprisingly not mentioned, popular Indian Restaurant in the centre of town.
- CJs: There was no Karaoke section on the list, but if there was, this would be it.
- La Despensa del Mar: Top restaurant for Seafood in Benalmadena. Typical spanish and very popular with the lcoals.
- La Despensa Familiar: Very spanish and very tasty. The place to go for wine and tapas.
- La Cupula Lounge: Food, drinks, live music some nights, but always amazing views of Benalmadena, located next to the church in the Old Town.
Final Thoughts
One of the best things about Benalmádena is the incredible variety of restaurants and bars available. Whether you’re looking for authentic Spanish tapas, fresh seafood, Italian cuisine, a family-friendly pub, live music venue or beachfront cocktail bar, there’s something for everyone.
A huge Thank You to all the Sunset Beach Club guests and Facebook fans who shared their recommendations. The next time you’re staying with us, why not try a few of these guest-approved favourites and discover your own Benalmádena hidden gem?
Map showing the location of each of the recommended restaurants and bars in Benalmadena:
