Eating out is de rigueur on the Costa del Sol and throughout Spain, but the hours are different. Lunch is a leisurely affair, starting around 1pm and continuing throughout the afternoon, and although restaurants may open for dinner as early as 7pm, most people arrive after 9pm.

Every type of international cuisine is available, and prices vary from cheap, fresh fish at chiringuitos on the beach, to lavish five star restaurants. Even the most jaded world traveler would be surprised at the variety and quality of restaurants throughout the coast.

The region is famous for its grilled fish, especially sardines and calamari. Quality ham and pork are used widely in sausages. Excellent olive oil is available all over Andalusia and the Costa del Sol. Olives and olive oil have been an important product of Andalusia since Roman times. Today, a third of Europe’s olive oil is made here. The many types of table olives include fat gordales, small green manzanillas and stuffed olives.

Tapas are small snacks that originated in Andalusia in the 19th century to accompany sherry. The custom originated with simple chunks of cheese and a few olives. Almost every small village has at least one Tapas bar. Marbella’s quaint and atmospheric old town is overflowing with wonderful Tapas bars serving up the tastiest Patatas bravas, Fritura de pescado, Albondigas, Tortilla, etc.

There are restaurant guides available giving details of most of the restaurants on the coast. Many restaurants are closed on Monday, and only open for dinner during the summer season.

In restaurants the law requires menu prices to include a service charge, and tipping is a matter of personal choice - most people leave some small change if they're satisfied and 5% is usually plenty. It's common to leave small change at bar and cafe tables.

Some of our favorite Costa del Sol restaurants & meeting places

1. Perla Blanca Chiringuito - situated right on one of Elviria's nicest stretches of beach, next to the protected sand dunes.   Best bets:  Paella, sardines, calamari, Assorted fried fish for two.   Prices:  €€  Where?  take the Elviria exit and head straight to beach, look for signs.  Parking lot is adjacent to restaurant.

2. Bar California - in the centre of Marbella and on the edge of the old town.   This is an authentic fish tapas restaurant serving all kinds of seafood taken fresh daily from Marbella's fishing port just across the road.  Best bets:  calamari frito, fresh clams, ensalada mixta with big chunks of tuna, Boquerones frito (anchovies) & a cold cerveza.  Prices:  €€

3. Picasso's - Front line in Puerto Banus; an old standby that can always be counted on for good quality italian & delicious pizzas at very very reasonable prices for the port - hence the perpetual line to get in.   Don't worry, the line moves fast!  Best bets:  any pizza or calzone or spaghetti bolognese.   Great people watching spot! Prices: €

4.  Yanx - In Nueva Andalucia's Centro Plaza, just up from the Bull Ring.  If you have a hankering for American grub, be it great burgers and milkshakes or even Tex-mex; make a beeline for this place.   Prices:  €€ 

5. George's Bar - In Riviera del Sol, just up from the OpenCor.   Excellent baguettes and toasted sandwhiches which take the hunger away quickly and cheaply.

6.  Max Beach Bar - At the Riviera del Sol turnoff, a full blown entertainment mecca now in the spring of 2006.   Excellent beach terrace bar and high-end restaurant with another big back bar with comfy leather sofas and full glass windows to watch the surf roll in over the beach directly in front of you!  Live music on weekends and pool tables to boot.

7. Kudu Bar - a new hip venue at the top of Elviria in La Mairena.  Cool drinks and a big deck to enjoy the panoramic view down the valley.  Good quality pub grub as well.  Where?  Take Elviria exit off the N-340 and head all the way up to La Mairena (approx 7 minutes off coast)

11.  Sushi Katsura, on C/Ramon de la Serna Gomez, this is one of Marbella's best japanese restaurants.  Decidedly low-profile, what the restaurant lacks in ambiance is quickly overcome by the skill of it's master Japanese craftsman behind the sushi bar utilising very fresh fish and fine technique & presentation.  Want to take it away?  No problem, simply pop in and have a beer at the bar next door or down some Saki at the Sushi bar and you'll be on your way in less than 15 mintues.  €€€

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