Having lived here for many years, I've tried out lots of the local tapas restaurants.
My advice is to avoid going for tapas in the Old Town of Marbella or Puerto Banus, unless you really want to do the tourist thing.
There are two tapas restaurants that have become our "go to'.
The first is brilliant if you don't want a lot to eat. So think quick casual snack and a beer/glass of wine. It's called Bar El Dorado and it's next door to a great steak restaurant Vovem. I'll review this later.
Grab a table in the sun first, place your drinks order with the waitress then head inside to order your tapas. On the bar you will find an array of tapas ranging from chicken curry, Russian salad, meat kebabs, meatballs and other delights. Point out your choice to the waitress behind the bar then head back to your table and they will bring it to you.
The dishes are small, but served with bread we only ever eat a max of 3 between us.
The second tapas restaurant is more of a longer lunch destination rather then a quick tapas.
It's Lekune Bar in Marbella. Our advice is to park/Uber to Puente Romano then walk along the beach towards Marbella (approx 20 minutes) when you get to a restaurant called The Bungalow (review coming) turn left and walk straight up until you hit Lekune on the corner.
If the restaurant is full, make sure you give your name to the waitress otherwise you won't get allocated a table. There is not much shade here so request a table inside if you don't like the sun.
Then the fun begins. The waitresses walk round with trays of tapas. If you like it, you stop the waitress and grab one, putting the stick in the glass on the table. At the end of the meal the price is based on the amount of sticks.
The tapas is fantastic and it's a place the locals flock to. There is a great choice of meat, fish and vegetarian. The sticks are €2.70/big stick and €2/small stick.
We've been here so many times and have taken friends and have never had anything bad. Plus you'll be glad of the walk back to Puente Romano to collect the car/uber after.
For both restaurants get there fairly early as you can't book - around 1/1.30 otherwise you will be waiting for a table. The Spanish tend to eat lunch at 2pm so if you arrive then you may have a long wait.
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