A guide to the best restaurants in Benahavis

Savour the moment at Amanhavis Hotel & Restaurant

The friendly, multilingual owners will greet you warmly as you step into the rustic courtyard of Amanhavis. Plants decorate every wall, climbing up the Moorish buildings and making for a truly beautiful setting. The chef visits the local market each day to bring visitors a different menu of Andalucian specialities on every visit. Prepare to feel your taste buds tingle in excitement – the small touches make every moment magical at Amanhavis.

Feel like a local at Los Abanicos

Los Abanicos is a buzzing dining experience. This means generous portions of finely cooked meats, vegetables and tapas dishes, with great wines and conversation. You’ll likely be seated at one of the many tables lining the narrow lane outside Los Abanicos. Once you’re settled, you can watch the attentive staff move between tables, delivering amazing feasts, friendly chatter and expert recommendations.

The real deal at La Torre

An authentic Costa del Sol vacation should feature some authentic Andalucian restaurants, and look no further. La Torre is the traditional Spanish eatery that you’ve been waiting for. Its own back garden – the Costa del Sol – yields its ingredients, and La Torre makes sure your food goes from soil to plate as fast as possible. Child-friendly, and modestly priced, La Torre is the go-to spot for a light lunch or a hearty dinner.

Make friends at Amigos

An open-flame grill, freshly caught seafood and one of most stunning terraces in Benahavis make Amigos a great place to dine. The food is exceptionally tasty, while the staff are warm and welcoming. Amigos is alive with conversation and sights and smells to tickle the senses. It’s also, as the name suggests, the ideal place to meet locals or fellow travellers and make new friends.

Keep the secret at Flor de Lis

For those that love traditional Spanish food and wine, Flor de Lis is widely recommended. With the longest wine list in Benahavis, there’s a bottle to suit everyone’s tastes and budget. And the surprisingly reasonable prices for the food mean you can afford to splash out on the recommended Navarra.

A mountainous backdrop at Rufino

Rufino makes a point of greeting its guests with a range of tapas, cured cheese and bread to get them started. Sit out on the terrace with a view of the busy streets of Benahavis, their mountainous surroundings, and enjoy a seriously good meal at an amazing price. The desserts are particularly loved at Rufino, so make sure you don’t fill up on the bread.

Climb the stairs to La Escalera

This beautifully decorated restaurant is certainly a step up in the game. La Escalera is one of the best looking finds in all of Benahavis, and every seat in the house has glorious views of the restaurant’s surroundings. The food is both ‘like grandma used to make’, and unlike anything you’ve tasted before.

Everything and more at All in 1 Cafe

With an understated and casual vibe, All in 1 Cafe is a real treat. The food is beautifully presented, and the terrace is a great place to kick back and unwind. Aside from all this though, All in 1 is praised for its staff’s attention to a healthy lifestyle. The organic and additive-free ingredients mean that you can enjoy a range of authentic dishes safe in the knowledge that it’s all good for you.

Ambience at Manzanilla Bar & Bistro

Impeccable service, elegant presentation and a coolly lit ambience means you can focus on each other at Manzanilla. Rest assured, a list of fine wines is available to accompany the Bistro’s menu of starters and mains. Uniquely, Manzanilla’s occasionally offer a traditional roast on Sundays, which you won’t want to miss.

Unmissable nights at El Chico

A truly happening bar in the heart of Benahavis, El Chico is always bursting with revellers. Dine on the mouth-watering tapas alongside generously poured drinks to wash it down. Stay until late, chatting with Chico himself and sampling the delights of this great tapas bar – it’s sure to be a night to remember.