One of the best plans for visitors of the Costa del Sol is to enjoy a paella in Nerja, one of its most beautiful coastal towns which is popular with tourists. This area of the east of the province is characterised for its white houses, crystal clear waters and, above all, for its exquisite gastronomy.
People deciding to visit Nerja will be able to find a plethora of tapas bars, restaurants offering the best fish from the area and establishments where they can try some of the best paellas in Nerja, whether in its picturesque historic quarter or by the sea, enjoying its natural coast.
To reach this town and try some of its best rice dishes, visitors will be able to choose the best car rental in Malaga, with the best conditions so you can have your own vehicle to travel around its most secluded beaches, most popular bars and design a route to find the best places to eat paella in Nerja.
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Paellas near the beach in Nerja
One of the main attractions of this town is its natural coast, with blue and crystal clear waters. That’s why many visitors choose a restaurant with sea views to eat paella in Nerja, with the aim of enjoying the surroundings and one of the area’s most typical dishes.
Ayo
Possibly one of the best paellas in Nerja is from Ayo, a chiringuito beach bar by the seafront promenade of Burriana beach, considered one of Nerja’s most stunning beaches. Its giant paellas are popular in the area, made over a wood fire to give them a unique flavour and always guaranteeing there is a freshly made dish of rice to serve guests without the need to book. In addition, Ayo is characterised for its good atmosphere and more than 50 years of experience in the sector. Its menu features all types of fish and meat dishes for those who don’t want to opt for the paella.
Merendero La Barca
Also situated on Burriana beach, Merendero La Barca has been a model of Nerja’s Mediterranean gastronomy since 1967. With a varied menu on which guests can find meat, fish or pasta dishes, this restaurant specialises in rice dishes and paellas, including brothy rice with lobster (arroz caldoso con bogavante), mixed paella and seafood paella. In addition, it also has an extensive selection of barbecued meat and fish.
Playa & Sol Lounge Restaurant
This paella restaurant in Nerja is also situated on the popular Burriana beach and has a covered terrace where you can enjoy its dishes at any time of year. Its menu offers excellent value for money and numerous dishes to suit all tastes, offering classic seafood or mixed paellas. In addition, its rice dishes include squid and prawn ‘fideuá’ (similar to paella but made with noodles) or risotto with baby cuttlefish and prawns with fish fillet from the bay, dishes that move away from the traditional concept of paella but will amaze customers, especially with the freshness of the produce.
Paellas in Nerja centre
The town centre is the ideal place to enjoy a good paella. With its white streets and charm-filled corners, this area is home to restaurants with years of experience in making this dish and with an extensive culinary offer to suit all tastes. Visitors arriving by car will be able to park easily in one of the central car parks in Nerja.
Restaurante Rey Alfonso
Restaurante Rey Alfonso offers its customers tradition at the stoves combined with a spectacular panoramic sea views in a circular dining area full of large windows, situated in the heart of the Balcony of Europe (Balcón de Europa), one of the town’s main attractions. Its starters include the burrata with tomato tartare and powdered pesto, grilled octopus legs or in marinade, while the star dish in terms of paellas is the fish paella, although there is also a mixed option and a vegetable option, with an abundance of ingredients and a delicious finish.
El Pulguilla
For lovers of fried fish and seafood, El Pulguilla is a must on your visit to this town. Located just a few metres from the Balcony of Europe (Balcón de Europa), it is an example of a traditional restaurant in the area. Hence, it presents its customers with the produce it works with in a display counter full of fresh fish of the highest quality so they can get carried away by what they see. With this raw material, it makes it famous seafood paella and zarzuela fish stew, with a base that gives it an explosive flavour. However, they are made to order, since they take time to make, so we recommend phoning in advance to book a table and order beforehand.
Rincón del Sevillano Restaurant
Situated in one of Nerja’s most beautiful streets, Rincón del Sevillano is one of the best places to eat paella in Nerja. In a winery full of charm, visitors will be able to enjoy some of its most traditional dishes, including Cordoba style ox tail, reserva Serrano ham or the Manchego pure sheep’s cheese to whet the appetite, finishing with one of its paellas made with organic bomba rice and the best ingredients to offer the delicious rice dishes. Visitors simply cannot leave without taking a photo of its characteristic and fun balconies.
El Refugio Restaurant
El Refugio is one of the most highly rated restaurants in Nerja among visitors, with a charming outdoor terrace and a friendly and attentive service, perfectly adapted to customers that speak other languages. Highlights of its dishes are the mini chorizo (choricitos) and pil pil prawns, perfect bites to enjoy before one of its paellas, of which the star is definitely the seafood paella, with fresh fish and a juicy finish.
Other paella restaurants in Nerja
For diners wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the tourist centre, Nerja hides some of its own culinary secrets, restaurants where you can enjoy typical dishes at affordable prices and paellas bursting with flavour.
La Torrecilla
Situated on one of the less crowded beaches of the town, La Torrecilla restaurant features a terrace on the seafront promenade and offers an extensive menu of fresh fish, fried dishes and meats. Highlights of its rice dishes include the black rice (arroz negro) and creamy rice (arroz meloso) with lobster, different options to the standard paella dishes offered by other restaurants in Nerja. La Torrecilla also has a special rice with vegetables dish for vegetarians, mixed paella or fish and seafood ‘fideuá’ (noodles).
La Marina Marisqueria
For those looking to enjoy the best fish from Nerja, La Marina is the best option. With fried dishes, fish and seafood of the highest quality, customers can see the freshness of the raw material in its display counter, with produce fresh from the fish market ready to prepare and serve. Among the selection of rice dishes, the rice with lobster and seafood paella are essentials, made with premium quality products to achieve the best flavour.
Map of the best places to eat paella in Nerja
Visitors coming to Nerja looking to enjoy a good paella will be able to find multiple options to try the best dishes in its restaurants, whether in the town centre or in one of its lesser known neighbourhoods. On this map, you will be able to see a route of the best places to try paella in this coastal town.
