Having moved to Malaga about six months ago, as a seafood restaurant enthusiast, I’ve tried pretty much every place around here during this time. Today I want to share some seafood spots I think are quite good, including both restaurants and markets, with reliable prices and quality.
Atarazanas Central Market
Let me start with Atarazanas Market - this place has truly become my weekly must-visit. If you go in the morning, you can get freshly caught seafood at prices much cheaper than supermarkets. I usually buy some gambas rojas, pulpo, and chipirones to cook at home. There’s a lady at the market with a particularly good stall who helps clean the seafood and even taught me how to prepare it. Weekends get quite crowded, so I recommend going on weekday mornings.
Seafood Types and Price Comparison
Here are the approximate prices for seafood I commonly buy at the market versus restaurants:
| Seafood Type | Market Price | Restaurant Price |
|---|
| Red prawns | €25-35/kg | €18-25/portion |
| Octopus | €15-20/kg | €12-16/portion |
| Baby squid | €12-18/kg | €10-14/portion |
| Sardines | €6-8/kg | €8-12/portion |
Recommended Restaurants
Near El Pimpi there’s a fried fish shop - I can’t quite remember the name, but it’s on that street heading towards the port. The place is small but has a queue every day. Their pescaíto frito is absolutely amazing, crispy on the outside and tender inside. A portion costs around €12, served with lemon and bread, perfect for two people. Note that they only accept cash.
Then there are the chiringuitos along Pedregalejo beach, worth trying when you visit the seaside on weekends. I’ve been to several and they’re all pretty similar, mainly excelling at espetos de sardinas. Sitting by the sea eating grilled fish and drinking beer, the scenery and mood are both wonderful. Price-wise, a skewer of sardines costs about €8-10, and seafood paella is €15-20 per portion.
Tips About Seafood
When buying seafood, check that the eyes are clear and there shouldn’t be a strong fishy smell. Frozen seafood isn’t necessarily bad, but fresh definitely tastes much better. If you’re eating at a seafood restaurant in Malaga, you can ask the waiter what came in fresh today - those are usually the freshest options. Also, seafood preparation here in Malaga is quite simple, mostly grilled or fried, preserving the natural flavor of the ingredients.
Finally, if you want to save money, I really recommend going to the Malaga seafood market to buy and cook at home. Simply sautéing with olive oil, garlic, and parsley tastes delicious. Hope this information helps those who just arrived in Malaga or want to try the seafood!
