Illustrative image · Photo: gildemax (CC BY-SA 2.5) · Wikimedia Commons
La Mar Bonita
Must try
Chargrilled fish: sea bass, gilthead bream, local octopus, pandora, urta, red snapper, John Dory, red mullet, turbot, horse mackerel, sardine and white seabream; Málaga coquinas, ensaladilla with white prawns and mussels (Guía Repsol). In 2025-2026 reviews the espeto, fried squid and homemade chips are the hits.
About
Family chiringuito (beach bar) with more than 50 years on the sand of La Carihuela, run by Miguel León, whom Guía Repsol calls one of the best espeteros (sardine-skewer grillers) in Málaga. It holds a Repsol Solete (Soletes de Verano 2022).
Good to know
Book and choose the first seating: at Easter 2026 by the second seating there were no espetos, coquinas or patatas a lo pobre (poor man's potatoes) left. Some find the espeto a little pricey. Ask for a terrace table. Instagram: @lamarbonita.
Getting there and parking
It is at the end of La Carihuela's seafront promenade, towards Benalmádena.
Near here
Chiringuito El CanariasFamily chiringuito (beach bar) with espetos (sardines grilled on skewers) and fried fish since 1962 · La Carihuela · 5 minChiringuito run by the same family since 1962, now in its third generation, with more than 120 sun loungers.
Playa de La Carihuela (with Montemar)Beach · Torremolinos · 5 minBlue Flag 2026 (listed by ADEAC as 'La Carihuela-Montemar') and Ecoplayas certificate.jpg/960px-Churros_con_chocolate_Mexico_(32539051653).jpg)
McJamón La CarihuelaBreakfasts, tapas and cheap raciones (sharing plates) · Paseo marítimo de La Carihuela · 5 minHard-working bar on the La Carihuela promenade: opens for breakfast and carries on with tapas, lunch, afternoon snacks and dinner.
Sea Life Benalmádena (aquarium)Family / Leisure · Benalmádena (Puerto Marina) · 5 minMore than 5,000 animals in 25 aquariums: sharks, underwater tunnel, rays, seahorses and coral reef