Teeming with lively restaurants, laid-back chiringuitos and elegant fine dining, there’s a restaurant to suit every palate in Almuñecar and La Herradura.
Alongside regional delicacies and an abundance of seafood, you’ll find stylish eateries serving Japanese, Asian fusion and modern European dishes. We’ve pulled together a few of our favourites. Buen provecho!
La Sardina
Ideal for lunch or dinner with family or friends to eat great fresh seafood on the beach.
Sitting on the beach overlooking the Mediterranean, La Sardina is the perfect spot to watch the sunset with a refreshing G&T. Once the sun has gone down, gently flickering candles and relaxing music create a wonderfully romantic ambience in this elegant chiringuito.
Food-wise, you can take your pick from a delicious selection of fresh seafood dishes – fresh, fried or grilled. Try the regional speciality – sardines – threaded on skewers and cooked on hot coals. Or enjoy a lazy Sunday paella like the locals.
Address: Paseo Andres Segovia s/n, La Herradura, 18697, Almunecar. Phone: +34 958 64 01 11; Lasardina.es.
Dis Tinto Restaurante Asador
Meat-eaters assemble! We’re happy to confirm that Dis Tinto has the best quality meat on the Costa Tropical.
Expect fashionable but oh so tasty 10-year-old Galician beef with a minimum of 45 days’ maturing, which allows for some seriously succulent marbling. You can even grill some cuts yourself at the table.
As you can imagine, with a heavily leaning meat eatery the wine list is very good indeed, too.
Address: P.º Andrés Segovia, 38, 18697 La Herradura, Granada. Phone: +34 666860419; Distintorestaurante.com
Detako gastrobar
This casual restaurant on the seafront is owned by David and Elena – ex private chefs for some of our villas. They’re a dynamic duo who bring Japanese dishes and Andalucian flavours to La Herradura.
Aside from the sushi, the curried fishballs will have you ordering another portion, and the grilled Octopus with Pedro Ximénez egg yolk is simply out of this world.
If you only eat at one place in La Herradura, make it Detako. They’re only open during the evening, and reservations are necessary.
Address: P.º Andrés Segovia, 18697 La Herradura. Phone: +34 958871293; Detako.es
Chambao de Vicente
The dining room of this chiringuito might be a little drab, but the stellar location – right on the beach of La Herradura bay – more than makes up for it.
Stop by for casual southern Spanish sharing dishes like paella and grilled seafood. There’s a roof terrace too for an aperitif or digestif. Or both!
Address: P.º Andrés Segovia, 69, La Herradura; Chambaodevicente.com
Luna Nueva Wine Bar & Restaurant
The chef at Luna Nueva comes from the wildly popular (but sadly now closed) Herradura restaurant, No.20. It sits on the front line to the coast, with a comfortable dining room and terrace.
Inside, modern interiors match a pleasing tasting menu which can be paired with a decent wine list. Expect fresh Mediterranean food cooked well with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients.
Address: P.º Andrés Segovia, 12, 18697 La Herradura, Granada; Luna Nueva Wine Bar & Restaurant
Bola Marina
Traditional Spanish tapas and regional specialities cooked to perfection.
If you’re looking for a bar and restaurant with a buzzing vibe and laid-back dining, Bola Marina has delicious tapas and bar snacks as well as hearty main meals in the restaurant.
Tucked down a side road off the beachfront, it’s a favourite with the locals, along with its sister restaurant in nearby La Caleta Bay.
The food here is traditional Spanish – perfectly executed and carefully presented. And if you just fancy a Rioja or two, you can enjoy imaginative tapas and tasty bar snacks in the lively bar. The albondigas – tender meatballs in a tangy tomato sauce – are absolutely delicious and go down particularly well with smaller mouths.
Address: Acera de Pilar 13, 18697, La Herradura, Almuñecar. Phone: +34 958 64 04 80; Bola Marina Facebook Page.
Firmvm
Tucked away in a sleepy plaza, set back from Almuñecar seafront, Firmvm serves creative Spanish fare with an Asian twist.
A slightly more formal dining experience than some of the other restaurants on our list, the service is professional yet friendly, and the décor contemporary with warm crimson and white lines.
Enjoy generous portions of beautifully executed dishes punctuated by mouthwatering amuse-bouches. Nibble on creative gourmet tapas or indulge in the imaginative tasting menu with its meltingly tender lamb. With so many intriguing dishes to tempt the senses, you’ll be sure to come back.
Address: Plaza Damasco 2, 18690, Almuñecar. Phone: +34 958 63 35 65; Restaurantefirmvm.com.
Chaleco
Deserving of its Michelin Bib Gourmand, the family-run El Chaleco serves exquisite French cuisine in family-friendly surroundings.
Located on the outskirts of Almuñecar, this restaurant is perfect for special occasions, with attentive multilingual staff serving well-executed dishes in a classic dining room. The prawn ravioli from the great value set menu is a real standout. And don’t miss the flavoursome rabbit with prunes – the perfect balance of textures and flavours.
Address: Avenida de la Costa del Sol 37 (in front of the Costa Banana), 18690, Almuñecar. Phone: +34 958 63 24 02; El Chaleco
CHAMBAO DE JOAQUIN
Located at the far end of La Herradura bay close to Punta de la Mona (where Villa Kallan and Villa Kari are located) is laid-back beach bar Chambao de Joaquin. Tables are arranged on the beach itself, meaning you can dig you toes into the sand while you eat, but there is also a large, airy dining room available should you wish to stay out of the sun.
Portions are generous and full of flavour, with plenty of lovely fresh seafood on offer. Dishes on the menu include atún encebollado (tuna loin with stewed onions) and king-prawn pil-pil in a mouth- watering chilli and garlic sauce, along with fresh salads and grilled vegetables.
Address: Paseo Andrés Segovia, 18697 Almuñécar (Granada), España, La Herradura, Spain
Eat Like a Local – Free Tapas
The Costa Tropical is not a Michelin-starred dining hub, but what it lacks in dazzle and glitz it more than makes up for with comfortable, authentic eateries using local ingredients which are fresh and taste fantastic.
One of the best things about visiting Almuñecar and La Herradura is you get free tapas with your drinks. It’s a very civilised way to try local dishes and great when all you’d like is a snack until lunch or supper.
Usually the free tapas is set and with each drink you’ll get a different small plate of food. Often you’ll get rewarded with better tapas with each drink if you stay at a place. Free tapas is given in casual dining establishments throughout the day, but not, generally speaking, in restaurants or during the evening.
Tempted by our pick of the best restaurants in La Herradura and Almuñecar? Check out our luxury villas available for rent in the area here.
Ben Cooper
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