DINING CAPITAL

Marbella has the best restaurants in southern Spain, insists Dining Secrets of Andalucia editor Jon Clarke

WHEN I researched a restaurant book on Andalucia a decade ago, I came across some wonderful hidden gems tucked away in the tiniest inland villages all around the region. But, what is one of the real Dining Secrets of Andalucia, is that Marbella is the region’s definitive Foodie Capital. Forget Malaga, Sevilla or Granada, cities with far more tourists and many more locals, Marbella has the best spread and quality of places to eat that I have come across. And that hasn’t changed. It’s no coincidence that the resort of 150,000 people counts on the second highest number of Michelin starred eateries in Spain, per capita, after San Sebastian. That’s five in total, while it also, coincidentally, has the same number of references (14) in the famous guide as Sevilla and one more than Malaga.

But that’s only half the story, for there are perhaps a dozen more incredible places jostling for a listing in the famous French food bible.

Meanwhile, eight also count on prestigious soles (suns) from Repsol’s Spanish equivalent, with one, El Lago, counting on two.

A long time visitor to the resort and now living nearby, my personal favourites include Ta-kumi and El Lago, which have never let me down.

And then there is the stunning simplicity of the soul food at Gaspar, run by a young lawyer Carlota, as well as the intriguing Kava, where the chef, Fernando, is also a lawyer and entirely self-taught.

Casa Tua, run by an Irish expat and her Italian partner, have been serving up magical Italian fare for a decade. Meanwhile, befitting the glamour of the Golden Mile, Boho Club is style personified, with the former chef of El Lago Diego del Rio at the helm and fast heading for its first star. And also on the Golden Mile and amazing for sheer variety all in one place is the Puente Romano hotel’s famous La Plaza restaurant zone. Here you will find the Asiatic delights of Thai Gallery, as well as Monkey Club, Nobu and Lena, while the

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