If you were in your lift on Sunday morning, on your way back up to your apartment, and you thought “I’d like to go down to the beach for lunch, I can just see myself tucking in to a fresh salad and squeezing the juice from a large chunk of lemon over a lightly fried Squid” and you then did, you are living in the right place.
That’s what life can do to you on the Costa del Sol. You just think of something wonderful to do, and so often you can get on and do it right then and there.
All along the coast, at fairly frequent intervals, there are beach restaurants, locally known as chiringuitos. These vary considerable in terms of comfort and amenities. The traditional ones are quite basic. These days you can find some pretty comfortable ones where owners have extended the concept to create a comfortable dining experience by the sea. Originally many were simple little wooden booth type arrangements under a thatched roof, with some seating surrounding a grill, drinks and not much more.
There are many favourites, depending on who you are, and where you live along the coast. One thing we’re pretty sure about is that there is a special one for you. They are easy to find, the intoxicatingly scented smoke from the barbecue, grilling Sardines tugs you in.
The menu doesn’t vary too much. You are in the province of Málaga, and Málaga has a very specific way for fish and seafood, beloved throughout the Spanish kingdom. A cuisine of tradition, simplicity and freshness that captivates the palate energises the senses, and all done with panache in an ambience of your choice.
Simple dishes of love. Calamares fritos, a whole squid, cleaned, sliced, dipped in lightly salted flour, fried and served with a slice of lemon. Ensalada de la Casa, a symphony of fresh lettuce, onion, palm hearts, julienne carrots, boiled egg and tomato topped with tuna and drizzled with the sweetest olive oil in the world and a dash of vinegar. Almejas Salteadas, the special tiny local Málaga clams with their light shells quickly opened in a sauce of olive oil, chopped parsley and white wine sometimes with some chopped garlic thrown in at the last minute for zing. Fritura
Malagueña, a majestic plate of different fish, lightly fried in the incomparable flour specially milled and prepared for this purpose. These dishes and a myriad of others bring tears to many a Spanish eye, thinking of summers spent amongst friends and family, laughter and joy.
We love the simple chiringuitos ourselves, where the old wooden beach bar is preserved, even if the seating is now covered and bordered by full height glazing so the experience can be enjoyed all year long. You a right on the edge of the beach, your view is the azure Mediterranean. In winter you might see a few walkers, a horse and rider, in the summer, tanning bodies and children playing, always an eye-catching impression of colour, changing, evolving, interesting.
Our favourites:
La Perla Blanca, Elviria. Marijke’s personal favourite and at walking distance from the office, so if the team have something to celebrate (and that’s quite common) you’ll find us all there!
Maria’s favourite: Madrid playa, Fuengirola
Charlie’s favourite: Guayaba, San Pedro de Alcantara
Andres’ favourite: Los Espigones, Marbella
And there are many more…. what is your favourite chiringuito? Let us know!