Where To Find The Best Street Food In Malaga
Malaga is the capital city of Costa del Sol in Andalusia, Spain, and is the sixth largest city in the country. Thanks to its location on the Guadalmedina River and the Mediterranean Sea, this town has been an important center for exportation but it is also a great resort city due to its mild weather and constant sunshine. Malaga is one of the world's oldest cities and much of its culture and history can still be explored today in the local museums and festivals.
Most people know Malaga for being the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso but also for its famous anchovies. The food here is both delicious and affordable so no matter how hungry you get you can eat enough to fill your stomach. There is so much great street food in Malaga that you can eat from a street vendor for every meal and still have more to try, and we will guide you to the best places to eat in the city. Flying into Malaga Airport? Get ready for a taste-filled holiday!
Foodie tip: If you see a long line up at a street food vendor or restaurant, that's an indication the locals love it – and you will too! So, store your shopping bags and heavy backpacks with a Malaga luggage storage service and go in search of delicious Malaga eats.
The Best Street Food Vendors in Malaga
Zumoteka El Vaso
A great place to grab a healthy and tasty meal in Malaga is Zumoteka El Vaso. They serve salads and poke, sandwiches, fruit cups and juices, or you can grab a smoothie if you don't feel like having a full meal. They have some great yogurt and strawberries for dessert, too. This spot is welcoming to vegetarians and those with diet restrictions since their products have no sugars and additives and are also gluten free.
Spritz Bar
One of the most authentic bars and best places to eat in Malaga is Spritz Bar. Aside from great alcoholic drinks, they offer coffee and fruit juices as well as some delicious food to go with it. Try some of their tapas or snack on some of the city's best finger food with one of their platters made with cold cuts, cheese, bread and anchovies.
Yoguriteria Danone
If you like ice cream you will want to visit this street food stall which serves some of the best frozen yogurt in Malaga. This traditional shop has been in service since 1919 and is a great place to stop by for dessert after eating a meal in one of the local restaurants. They also serve waffles with fruit, whipped cream and chocolate sauce, but we recommend trying a small cone of the frozen yogurt. After you've taken the kids out for the day, be sure to stop here for a treat.
La Casareccia Obrador Pizzeria
Once you visit this spot you'll understand why it is a favorite among the Spanish people, and even the pickiest of eaters can find something to enjoy. They serve pizza in different flavors so you can try it with delicious tomato sauce, barbeque sauce or garlic sauce and with toppings including mozzarella cheese, sausage, mushrooms, ham and egg, or spicy salami, pepper and olives.
Potattoo
For an authentic local experience you have to try the local favorite food of baked potato, and no better place to go than Potattoo. This is one of Malaga's hidden gems and serves some of the best baked and fried potatoes in the city, and we guarantee that you will want to have a taste as soon as you get a whiff of them. Their location in a small park is perfect for walking around after you finish your food.
Restaurante Bar La Bouganvilla
This restaurant is where you can find some of the main meals of Spanish culture and cuisine. Try their delicious croquettes which are made with evo olive oil, spicy tomato sauce, potatoes, garlic sauce, ham, eggs, pepper and salt which are then fried in hot oil. After being molded into their typical oval shape they are ready to be eaten. They also make some of the best tapas so if you still haven't had a chance to try them you can give them a go here.
Where to Find the Best Malaga Street Food Spots
Mercado Atarazanas
The biggest market in all of Malaga is found at the Mercado Atarazanas which takes up the area all the way from the Guadalmedina River to the Old Town. You will know you've reached the market when you see the massive arched entrance, which is actually part of the seven-arched structure from the 14th century but is the only remaining part to have survived.
This food market specializes in fish and they can serve it to you in several ways. Try the way that locals love; fried with a wedge of lemon. The dishes are served fresh and cooked to perfection every time. We also recommend stopping by the tapas bars in the area.
Mercado Carmen
This market has been recently renovated and is ready to introduce you to some great street food. The exterior is modern and since it is covered you won't have to worry about the rain or bad weather, although it rarely isn't sunny in Malaga. Inside the market, you will find some of the city's best seafood and fish stalls.
There is no surprise that this place specializes in seafood since El Carmen is found in the neighborhood of El Perchel, which received its name from the hooks used by local fisherman called "perchas". You can also find tapas sold in the nearby food vendors close to the market.
Mercado de Salamenca
This is the premier food market in all of Malaga and is usually a busy place to visit even though it is not as big as some of the ones mentioned above. You will find it outside of the historical center of the city but close to the La Rosaleda football stadium, so if you are near there keep an eye out for the Moorish-styled gate to the market.
You can find lots of great food sold in the colorful stalls here, like meat, fish, fruits and vegetables. The locals and the market itself have a unique personality and charm that make browsing a fun and energetic experience, and you can buy some delicious ingredients that are of the best quality.
Mercado de la Merced
One of the best places to find street food in Malaga is at the Mercado de la Merced which has 22 food stalls with meals and produce ready to be eaten. Make your way towards the Plaza Merced to find the market and make sure to bring an appetite, since it is one of the trendiest places to eat.
Try fresh vegetables, fish and cured hams, or get a ready-made meal at a sushi stall or tapas bar. Since it is located just a couple minutes away from the Old Town this is the perfect spot for eating a meal and grabbing drinks in between sightseeing.
Street Food Festivals in Malaga
Maroween Chestnut and Sweet Potato Festival
Just about a 45 minute drive away from Malaga in an area called Maro is the Maroween Festival which usually happens for a few days between the end of October and the beginning of November. It is put on during the day of "Todos los Santos" and Halloween, which is where it received its name of Maroween.
During this festival, they celebrate roasted sweet potatoes and chestnuts and it is a pretty tasty event to participate in if you are visiting while it is going on. This area also has great beaches so if you have some extra time and you are in the area you might as well check them out or stop at one of the beach bars!
Perota Soup Day
Just a half-hour away from Malaga in the town of Álora you will find the Perota Soup Day festival. Make sure you bring your own spoon as soup is provided but utensils are not. This dish originated in the countryside and is a local delicacy that you won't want to miss your chance to try. The festival happens in October.
Every ingredient in the soup comes from the vegetable gardens by the Guadalhorce River. This includes green peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, asparagus and onions with some fresh bread. It is seasoned with oil, parsley and salt, and the important ingredient that adds the final touch is white wine. While you are here make sure to browse the stalls for handicrafts and souvenirs.
Migas Festival
Drive for just over half an hour to reach Torrox for the local Migas Festival. This event happens in December every year and you will know it is happening when you hear the seashell conch blown on the Sunday before Christmas day. This is when you should head to the festival site to get your serving of the Migas dish!
Usually the meal is served with either bread crumbs, oranges, carrots or pomegranates, but during this festival, you can try the dish made with wheat semolina instead. The delicious Ariella salad made with orange, cod, onion, olives, salt, vinegar and olive oil makes for the perfect side dish and is also served during the event.
Wine and Chestnut Festival
The Wine and Chestnut Festival is put on in the village of Yunquera which is located about an hour's drive away from central Malaga. This calm and quiet town puts on this celebration every year in late October and is where you can go to try some tasty food as well as see demonstrations. Make sure you grab a plate of malcocinao which is made with bacon, chorizo, morcilla sausage, chickpeas and tripe.
Here you can see how the local wine is made by observing demonstrations of pisá, or grape stomping. You can also see how they make different varieties of chestnuts, which can be roasted, covered in syrup, cooked or in a Kurdish style. It can be fun to participate in the sack races or listen to the Verdiales Groups perform, and if you want to get the most out of your experience, follow the guided tourist tours.
Chanfaina Stew Festival
Just outside of Malaga city in the town of Totalán is where you will find the Chanfaina Stew Festival, and since it is under a half hour's drive away you have no excuse but to pay it a visit if you are traveling here in November. This hot dish is sure to keep you warm even in the cold and you can learn a lot about how the meal is made and the different farming tools that are used, too.
The recipe includes potatoes, bread crumbs, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, sliced meat and blood sausage and is seasoned to perfection with spices like oregano, pepper, cloves, bay leaf, cumin, pepper and saffron. If you are a vegetarian no need to worry, as you can try the Widow Chanfaina which is made without meat. Free portions are given out during the festival which goes on during the last Sunday of November, and while you are here you can enjoy live musical performances from orchestras and bands as well as browse the local flea market.
The Best of Typical Spanish Cuisine in Malaga
While you are in Spain you should take advantage of your opportunity to try all of the best local meals. You won't have trouble finding somewhere to eat but if you want to see all that the city has to offer you can follow an evening food tour which will introduce you to all of Malaga's top restaurants. Seeing Malaga at night and eating while doing it is a fun combination!
The people of Malaga eat tons of seafood thanks to its proximity to the sea so you can try dishes made with delicious fried squid and fish. Take the opportunity to taste dishes that are exclusive to this city, like tortilla de patatas or chorizo de bellota made with typical Spanish acorn sausage. You can find more than just Spanish cuisine here but also Mediterranean, Mexican or Italian, so if you want a break from Spanish meals can have dishes from around the world like burgers, sandwiches, pasta and tasty meatballs cooked to perfection.
Although you won't find many food trucks on the streets there are several markets that you can visit that sell fresh meals and ingredients and make for great outings with friends. If you happen to be in town during some of the food festivals you can take day trips to visit them since many of them are only a short drive away.