The Italian restaurants in Malaga are one of the most popular options among visitors and locals alike, with flavoursome recipes to suit all tastes. That’s why, each year, new establishments pop up and some of those with a long history continue to expand their venues to reach diners across the entire city.
Although most visitors look for the best options in the city centre, there are also other restaurants of outstanding quality in the areas to the east and west, which successfully resemble classic Italian cuisine.
In this post, we analyse the best Italian restaurants in Malaga by area, so that those visiting the coastal city can choose a cheap hire car in Malaga to travel around the city in search of the tastiest options, that can transport them in one mouthful to the heart of ancient Rome or romantic Tuscany.
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Italian restaurants in central Malaga
Malaga’s historic quarter is one of its main tourist attractions, full of monuments that remind us of the different cultures that have passed through this city, like its perfectly preserved Roman theatre (teatro romano). The Roman legacy can be seen in every corner of the city, so its cuisine is a must. The Italian restaurants in the centre of Malaga follow this tradition with some of the most popular dishes from their gastronomy.
Pizzamore Restaurant | Neopolitan cuisine full of flavour
Pizzamore is one of Malaga’s best Italian restaurants. Awarded in 2019 by Diario Sur, Malaga’s main newspaper, this restaurant offers a variety of more than 30 pizzas and fresh pastas cooked in a pure Neopolitan style. A must on its menu is the board of cold meats and cheeses, which includes mortadella roses with pistachios, burrata injected with truffle and a selection of cheeses accompanied with honey, although it is famous for its long list of delicious starters.
This restaurant boasts high quality products which are typical of Italian cuisine, in addition to an attentive service, modern and charming décor and good value for money, at between 7 and 15 euros per dish. Guests cannot end their meal without trying the incredible homemade tiramisu.
Atrezzo | Antonio Banderas’ Italian restaurant
Atrezzo is the fourth restaurant belonging to the world famous actor from Malaga, Antonio Banderas. With flavoursome Italian cuisine, this establishment has a team with Italian roots in charge of the cooking, in addition to all types of products with denomination of origin.
The restaurant is welcoming, with warm lighting and minimalist décor. Inside it features original items from the films Banderas has starred in, including the whip from “El Zorro” and the glasses from “Pain and Glory”. Atrezzo offers a short menu, with unique and exquisitely presented dishes, all paired with a signature cocktail list and large wine cellar. In the medium-high price range, each mouthful at Atrezzo is an incredible experience.
La Mafia se Sienta a la Mesa | Italian dishes with their own identity
This restaurant is one of the leading Italian restaurants in Spain, with almost 50 establishments throughout the country. La Mafia se Sienta a la Mesa offers dishes with denomination of origin, using the traditional products from Italian cuisine in authentic dishes and dominated by fresh pastas and typical products from Italian gastronomy. These include speck, smoked Scamorza cheese or mortadella sausage from Bologna.
Highlights of its dishes include the gorgonzola risotto with flaked almonds and candied pear, lumaconi pasta with arrabbiata affumicata sauce or the black pudding dessert. The menu is updated regularly so it always offers its clientele new options. In addition, one thing in particular that characterises its dishes is its generous portions.
Terra Mia Restaurant | 101% Neopolitan
Terra Mia is an Italian restaurant in central Malaga which is extremely popular among its visitors. Its small venue is decorated in all types of items that evoke Neopolitan culture. The menu is extensive, with a plethora of starters, seafood and meaty pastas and a long list of pizzas, both classic and gourmet.
On its small terrace, diners will enjoy some of its most popular dishes in the heart of the city, such as the rucolina pizza, gnocchi 5 fromaggi or calzone lasagne. With an attentive and friendly service, we advise you asks for the suggestions of the house to try the best dishes from its extensive menu.
La Ristobottega | Italian cuisine next to the Cathedral
La Ristobottega is situated right by the Cathedral. It is a charming Italian restaurant in the heart of Malaga, ideal for a romantic meal with views worthy of the best terraces in Malaga. In a unique setting, La Ristobottega is one of the most highly rated Italians by guests, with products of a high quality and with denomination of origin. This restaurant is a small venue full of charm and an attentive service which makes the meal a truly special experience.
Its menu features specials every day, highlights of which include local fresh produce. The menu is short but with dishes that are an explosion of flavour. Noteworthy dishes include the pinsas, pear fagottini with leek cream and raw prosciutto or the spaghettoni with crema di zucca e stracciatella.
Italian restaurants in east Malaga
In the eastern part of the city, where you can find the best beaches of Malaga, there are also some Italian restaurants known by both locals and tourists thanks to their creative and flavoursome dishes.
La Pala D’Oro Restaurant | Italian haute cuisine with a lot of love
Sandro Spoladore, owner of La Pala D’Oro, came to Spain in search of love and, once here, he decided to convey his love for this region through his gastronomy. Hence, this Italian restaurant in Malaga has an abundance of the best Italian cuisine cooked with love and respect for the region, which is reflected in an exquisite menu with high quality products.
Its selection of products include starters, fresh pastas, meat dishes and pizzas that are made with care and paired with the restaurant’s own wines that have been awarded as the best Proseccos of Italy. Diners simply must try the seasonal risotto, the homemade lasagne or crispy pistachio coated shrimps and black garlic mayonnaise, rounding the meal off with the homemade tiramisu.
Sabor a Nápoles Restaurant | Shop-restaurant with surprising products
Sabor a Nápoles offers a shop-restaurant concept which is extremely common in Italy, with a different menu where the main stars are the focaccias, filled sourdough bread like a sandwich. Definitely worth trying are the focaccia parmigiana or the brigante.
At this establishment, visitors will be able to buy Italian products, such as cheeses, cold meats, coffee, pasta or sauces, but they will also enjoy the taste of Naples, starting with a board of cold meats or cheeses and rounding off their meal with a focaccia or pizzacroisssant which creatively combine flavours to offer unique dishes that will amaze customers.
Italian restaurants in west Malaga
The Italian restaurants in the western part of Malaga also have a lot to offer diners, with lesser known options than those in the city centre, with a pure Italian flavour.
Trattoria Lo Spuntino | Grandma’s cooking
For those looking for pure Italian tradition, Trattoria Lo Spuntino is the place for them. With an Italian cuisine that has been passed down from one generation to another, Lo Spuntino boasts an extensive menu of fresh pastas, stuffed pastas and pizzas with a unique touch and traditional ingredients. In addition, it always offers at least six specials, made with seasonal products.
With a charming terrace set away from the hustle and bustle of the main street, this restaurant also offers an attentive and friendly service and staff will be delighted to offer you suggestions from the menu. Highlights among its products are the pistachio pinsa, truffle pizza or casoncelli, pasta filled with roasted meat, amarretti, pancetta, tomato and taleggio sauce.
Pizzorante Bellavista Mare | Pizzas in a wood-fired oven with sea views
One of the Italian restaurants in Malaga with views is Bellavista Mare, situated on the Antonio Banderas Seafront Promenade (Paseo Marítimo Antonio Banderas). This pizzeria specialises in pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven, although it does boast an extensive menu with salads, pasta dishes, soups and meats.
Its most popular dishes include the calzone, pizza Delicata and the Fiocchetti al Zola, pouches stuffed with cheese and pear with gorgonzola and walnut sauce. With an attentive service, Bellavista Mare is characterised for its large terrace with views of Misericordia beach, one of the main beaches of Malaga.
Map of Malaga’s best Italian restaurants
Although there are plenty of Italian restaurants in Malaga where you can eat pastas and pizzas to your taste, this article contains some of the best options for visitors to this coastal city, finding the options that will amaze guests in each area.
