Tapas are the most typical dish you can find in most bars in Andalusia. That’s why this post focusses on the best places to go for tapas in Mijas, one of the unusually large towns of the province of Malaga. This is because the municipal area of Mijas comprises three population centres which consist of mountains, coast and town in almost 150km squared.
This municipal area can be divided into three clearly differentiates zones: Mijas Town, Cala de Mijas and Mijas Coast, three areas with a vast tourist and culinary offer. To be able to visit Mijas fully, the best idea is to hire a car at the airport to enjoy all of its corners and try the best tapas in Mijas.
Table of Contents
Tapas in Cala de Mijas
Cala de Mijas is one of the most popular parts of this immense town given it is situated by the sea. Situated between Fuengirola and Marbella, here Spanish tradition coexists with a British atmosphere forged from years of English and German tourism. So, foreign visitors can enjoy the traditions of Andalusia without losing sight of their roots.
Konfusion
With the recognition of customers on TripAdvisor, Konfusion is in the top 10 tapas bars in Mijas. As its name alludes, this bar has a fusion cuisine concept that combines some of Malaga’s traditional tapas, such as diced vegetable salad (ensaladilla rusa) or pilpil prawns with a creative touch that makes them unique. The most popular dishes on its menu include chicken pate with foie gras, mandarin and yuzu jelly, rolls of salmon marinated with wasabi cream cheese and cashews or fried cheese. In addition, this venue stands out among its customers for the service, which is fast and attentive at all times. In terms of price, the average cost of tapas is between 5 and 9 euros, although the dishes can be shared to try a little of everything.
Utopia
Also in the top 10 we can find the Utopia restaurant. With a small premises full of charm, Utopia opts for tapas where local products are the protagonists. They adopt a concept of real food, with the cheeses and wines being particularly noteworthy. It also has a charming interior terrace where you can enjoy the best tapas in the open air. The star products include the juicy octopus with mashed potato, hummus with vegetable crudités and pitta bread, and goat’s cheese timbale. The average price is between 6 and 10 euros and it has its own car park for customers.
Cafe Bar La Gamba
For those looking for generous Spanish tapas at a good price, La Gamba is the perfect place. With an extensive menu, this bar combines Spanish tapas with some of the most typical international products such as German sausage or Yorkshire roast beef. If this bar is famous for one thing, it has to be the lobster, although it also has other seafood and meat dishes. La Gamba’s menu follows traditional Andalusian tradition, with a blackboard noting all of the specials of the day which are crossed off as they run out. In addition, its entire menu is translated into English for international customers.
Irrazional
Irrazional, formerly known as Tikus Gastrobar, is an ideal option for those in search of different tapas. Highlights of the menu are the white prawn salad (ensaladilla de gamba blanca), sea bass ceviche or bao buns with Iberian pancetta. In addition to an interesting culinary offer, Irrazional boasts a modern and welcoming terrace, in addition to an attentive service where customers are advised and receive explanations of all of the details of each dish. The menu is reinvented every season, with an average price of 9 euros per portion.
Tapas in Mijas Town
Mijas town is the essence of Mijas. Nestled in the heart of the mountain, it is one of Malaga’s most famous white towns, known for its white streets, panoramic viewpoints and famous donkey-taxi (“burro-taxi”). In this corner of the mountains, you can find some of the best tapas bars Mijas has to offer, all in a spot full of charm.
Pampa Tablas y Tapas
Next to Mijas Town Hall, we find Pampa Tablas y Tapas which, as its name suggests, is famous for its cheese boards (tablas de quesos), Iberian cold meats and pâtés, and its tapas. Tapas highlights include provolone cheese coated in panko breadcrumbs, diced vegetable salad (ensaladilla rusa) with roast chicken, ‘choripan’ (a type of grilled chorizo sandwich) or skirt steak with mashed potato (entraña de ternera con puré). It also boasts vegetarian options, in addition to a small and pleasant terrace. The average price of tapas is between 3 and 6 euros, while the boards, for sharing, are priced at an average of 20 euros.
Tomillo Limón
Tomillo Limón is one of Pueblo Town’s most acclaimed tapas bars among customers. With an average price of between 4 and 10 euros, this restaurant offers a creative menu with local products which include an oxtail burger, anise bread with anchovies or prawn tempura with mint. The venue is charming and modern and it has a small terrace situated in the establishment’s portico.
Koco Bistró
With a charming terrace, Koco Bistró offers a vast and meticulous menu and a long list of small tapas full of flavour. The highlights include some traditional tapas such as black pudding with ratatouille (morcilla con pisto) or aubergines with honey and goat’s cheese. There are also other international dishes to try such as king prawn tempura with kimchi sauce or green curried mussels. The tapas are priced at an average of €3.50, although on its menu this restaurant includes other sharing options such as salads, burgers or toasted sandwiches.
Oscars Tapas Bar
For those looking for a place with charm, Oscars Tapas Bar is the ideal restaurant. Situated in Plaza de la Constitución, from its terrace you can admire a panoramic view of the coast to enjoy tapas in Mijas with the best views. At Oscars, visitors can try some of the most typical dishes of Spanish cuisine in tapas format, from paella and potato omelette to beans or bravas potatoes. The perfect place to enjoy a sangria while enjoying the best views of the Costa del Sol.
Alboka Gastro
Alboka Gastro is probably one of the best tapas bars in Mijas. With an international touch, its flavoursome tapas have an average price of around 4 euros and include skewers of salmon marinated in yuzu and teriyaki sauce, Iberian black pudding timbale and roasted apple with caramelised piquillo peppers. However, it has to be said that the star dish is undoubtedly the oxtail burger in a brioche bun.
Tapas on Mijas Coast (Mijas Costa)
The area of Mijas Coast, also called Las Lagunas, borders the town of Fuengirola, so visitors find it difficult to know where Mijas starts and Fuengirola ends. This area has a particularly international offer of bars and pubs near to the sea.
La Huella
La Huella restaurant has a menu where simple and tasty dishes prevail. With a pleasant terrace and large premises, La Huella has one of the best diced vegetable salads (ensaladilla rusa) in the area, as well as a vast array of homemade croquettes which are constantly renewed. A highlight are the Iberian spicy sausage (salchichón) croquettes. Scrambled eggs with Iberian Pork shoulder (secreto ibérico) and patatas bravas in foam.
Las Tablinas
Inspired by Asturia, Las Tablinas offers a large bar of pinchos (small snacks on skewers) at an affordable price where you can eat without needing to look at the menu. It also boasts some of the most typical dishes from Asturia without leaving Malaga. These include ‘cachopo’ which is ham and cheese placed between two thin beef fillets and ‘fabada’ which is a type of stew. A highly recommended place for those looking to try different dishes to those belonging to Andalusian cuisine.
Map of the tapas bars in Mijas
As its motto points out, Mijas is immense, and as such it offers a wide variety of tapas bars from the coast to the mountains. This map contains all of the tapas bars so visitors can organise their own tapas route.
