Marbella’s locals know that some of the city’s best seafood isn’t only served in its most renowned restaurants. Look to neighbourhood freidurías, casual places specialising in fried fish; traditional chiringuitos, the beach bars and restaurants lining the coast; and marisquerías, restaurants focused on fresh fish and shellfish.
In this guide we highlight seven established seafood restaurants that remain popular with locals across Marbella Old Town, Marbella East and San Pedro de Alcántara, while also exploring the best dishes to order and where locals shop for cooking fresh seafood at home.
Bar Altamirano has served fish and shellfish sourced from La Bajadilla in the heart of Marbella Old Town since 1985
Bar Altamirano is tucked behind the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación in one of Marbella Old Town’s smaller squares.
From here, much of Marbella Old Town can be explored on foot, including Plaza de los Naranjos and its surrounding streets.
The restaurant has served traditional Andalusian recipes in the historic centre since 1985. Its fish and shellfish are personally selected from the local auction at La Bajadilla fishing port, with dishes kept simple and focused on the produce.
Its regular selection includes boquerones, small anchovies usually served fried or marinated, grilled prawns, clams, baby squid and seafood platters. It also offers conchas finas, smooth clams commonly served raw with lemon.
Ask which fish and shellfish are particularly good that day and order several plates for the table.
Bar Hermanos Navarro
Bar Hermanos Navarro is a neighbourhood favourite close to Marbella Old Town, particularly known for traditional Málaga-style fried fish
Bar Hermanos Navarro is a neighbourhood fish restaurant on Avenida Severo Ochoa, between Marbella Old Town and the traditional fishing quarter.
It is particularly known for pescaíto frito, small fish and seafood that are lightly floured and fried, making it a good choice for anyone looking for a more local alternative to the restaurants along Marbella’s main seafront.
The menu includes traditional fried fish and seafood, with dishes such as boquerones, squid, prawns and shellfish depending on availability. It is an informal, straightforward place where the focus is firmly on the food.
Club 200
Fresh fish, shellfish, fritura and espetos are served beside the Mediterranean at Club 200 in Marbesa
Club 200 sits beside the Mediterranean in Marbesa, Marbella East, with a large outdoor terrace overlooking the sea.
Fresh fish and shellfish are at the heart of the restaurant which is popular for its seasonal and market-led cooking. The menu follows traditional Andalusian and Spanish flavours, alongside fresh fish and seafood, expect fritura, a selection of lightly fried fish, and espetos, fish threaded onto cane skewers and cooked beside hot embers.
Its relaxed beachfront setting makes Club 200 a particularly good choice for a long seafood lunch in Marbella East.
El Diamante
El Diamante is a neighbourhood seafood restaurant away from Marbella’s main tourist streets, specialising in fresh fish and shellfish
El Diamante is one of the more under-the-radar seafood places, located in a residential part of Marbella away from the main tourist streets.
The restaurant specialises in fresh fish and shellfish, tapas and a smaller selection of meat dishes. It is the kind of neighbourhood restaurant where the day’s catch, fried seafood and simple preparations take priority over elaborate presentation.
Ask what is particularly fresh that day, or order several plates of fish and shellfish for the table.
Los Sardinales
Los Sardinales has served fresh fish, espetos and Mediterranean dishes beside Playa del Alicate since 1995
Los Sardinales has served Mediterranean food beside Playa del Alicate since 1995.
Its menu includes espetos, small fried fish, shellfish, whole fish and paellas. The location directly beside the sand makes it a good choice for combining lunch with a day on Marbella East’s coastline.
A seafood lunch can easily be combined with a visit to the Old Town, a walk along the Paseo Marítimo or an afternoon on one of Marbella’s beaches.
Traditional Andalusian fish and seafood served directly beside Cortijo Blanco beach at Kala Kalua
Kala Kalua sits directly beside Cortijo Blanco beach on the San Pedro de Alcántara seafront.
The chiringuito specialises in traditional Andalusian cooking, particularly fish and shellfish, with rice dishes, fried fish and larger whole fish also available for sharing. Its beachfront location makes it a good choice for a relaxed lunch overlooking the Mediterranean, and the restaurant is perfectly oriented for catching the sunset, with views to Gibraltar and Africa on clear days.
This is very much a traditional chiringuito experience, with the emphasis on fresh seafood, simple cooking and a table beside the beach.
Kala Kalua does not take table reservations and does not accept groups of more than 10 people, so arriving early is advisable during summer and on busy weekends.
El Ancla
El Ancla combines fresh Mediterranean seafood with a beachfront terrace and natural seawater pool in San Pedro de Alcántara
El Ancla sits directly on the Mediterranean at Linda Vista beach in San Pedro de Alcántara.
The restaurant specialises in seafood and Mediterranean cooking, with fresh fish taking centre stage. Its beachfront terrace provides a more polished setting than some of the traditional chiringuitos, while still keeping the focus on fish and seafood.
One of El Ancla’s most distinctive features is its natural seawater swimming pool, making it possible to combine lunch with an afternoon beside the water.
Ask about the fish available that day, or choose a selection of shellfish and grilled fish to share.
Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.
Panorama newsletter
For cooking at home
Those who want to cook at home often head to the traditional fishmongers, such as the Marbella Central Market in central Marbella. The market also has a collection of restaurant and tapas counters for an informal lunch, and you can even select fish from one of the stalls and have it cooked for you there.
In San Pedro de Alcántara, Pescadería Miguel on Calle Andalucía is another local fishmonger, with a daily selection of fresh fish and seafood and the possibility to order in advance.
Across Marbella, Mercadona supermarkets have convenient fresh-fish sections, with much of the selection cleaned, cut and portioned ready to cook at very affordable prices.
Alcampo at La Cañada is another good option. The hypermarket has a strong focus on fresh produce, including a large fish section where fish is cleaned and prepared ready for cooking. Alcampo occupies one of the major retail spaces within La Cañada shopping centre.
How to order fresh fish
Ask what's fresh that day rather than relying entirely on the printed menu. Availability changes, and certain fish or shellfish may sell out during service.
Whole fish and some shellfish are commonly priced by weight. Before confirming the order, ask approximately how much the fish weighs, how many people it will serve and what the final price is likely to be.
For a group, start with a few smaller plates such as boquerones, clams or prawns, followed by a mixed fry, whole fish or paella to share.
At a chiringuito, ask which fish are being prepared on the espeto grill. Sardines are the traditional starting point, but larger fish and prawns may also be available.
Chiringuitos are also closely tied to traditional beach culture in Marbella, especially during summer celebrations like San Juan when dining and local traditions meet along the coastline.
Exploring Marbella beyond its restaurants
A seafood lunch can easily be combined with a visit to the Old Town, a walk along the Paseo Marítimo or an afternoon on one of Marbella’s blue flag beaches.
The close relationship between the sea, mountains and town is also central to Marbella’s unique geography and its year-round outdoor lifestyle.
Panorama’s guide to Marbella’s best attractions covers the main places to visit, from Plaza de los Naranjos and Avenida del Mar to Puerto Banús, Cabopino and La Concha.
Frequently asked questions about seafood in Marbella
Where do locals go for seafood in Marbella?
Local favourites include Bar Altamirano in the Old Town, Bar Hermanos Navarro and El Diamante for a more neighbourhood feel, and traditional beachfront restaurants such as Club 200, Los Sardinales and Kala Kalua.
What are the best seafood restaurants in Marbella?
Some established local favourites include Bar Altamirano, Bar Hermanos Navarro, Club 200, El Diamante, Los Sardinales, Kala Kalua and El Ancla. The best choice depends on whether you are looking for fried fish, shellfish, espetos or a beachfront seafood lunch.
What seafood is Marbella known for?
Marbella is known for sardine espetos, fried boquerones, calamari, red mullet, prawns, clams and whole grilled or salt-baked fish.
Where can you eat traditional espetos in Marbella?
Traditional espetos are served at beachfront chiringuitos along much of Marbella’s coastline. Look for the sand-filled boat beside the restaurant, where sardines and larger fish are skewered and cooked over wood embers.
Where can you buy fresh fish in Marbella?
Marbella Central Market has traditional fishmongers, while Pescadería Miguel in San Pedro de Alcántara is another good local option. For supermarket shopping, Mercadona, Alcampo at La Cañada and Hipercor at El Corte Inglés in Puerto Banús all offer fresh fish for cooking at home.
