9 Romantic Restaurants in Costa del Sol

Are you looking for a romantic restaurant for an upcoming date night? Find my top recommendations of romantic restaurants in Costa del Sol, with options in Málaga, Fuengirola, Marbella and more.

Click on the restaurant names below to jump to that section or keep scrolling for the full guide!

What are the best romantic restaurants in Costa del Sol?

1. The Playwright
2. The Harbour
3. Trocadero Arena
4. La Scala
5. La Pergola
6. Figaro
7. El Higuerón
8. Arara
9. Golf restaurants

When I moved from Malta to Spain, one of my main worries was that I wouldn’t find the same type of great restaurants that I had grown accustomed to in Malta. Eating out is one of my favourite things to do and in Malta, I felt spoilt for choice. But luckily, I quickly discovered that the restaurant scene was just as good – if not even better – in Spain.

Living in Mijas, I have had the pleasure of trying out restaurants all over the Costa del Sol area. This includes cities such as Málaga, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas Pueblo, La Cala de Mijas, Marbella, San Pedro and Estepona.

In this guide, I have compiled the very best romantic restaurants in Costa del Sol I have tried so far. All recommendations are tried and tested by me. As I stumble upon more romantic restaurants that hold the same level of quality, I will keep updating the guide with the freshest recommendations.

Romantic restaurants in Mijas, Marbella, Fuengirola and more

I believe that these recommendations are a bit different from what you will find in other guides, simply because they are mostly restaurants that I have stumbled upon by luck and not found from recommendations myself. It’s a mix of big names and hidden gems.

Without further ado, these are my top recommendations for romantic restaurants in Costa del Sol.

1. The Playwright – Elviria, Marbella

The Playwright is hands down my absolute favourite restaurant in the area and one of the best restaurants I have tried in general. The location is chic, fun and unique – simply perfect for a date night.

You might come to Playwright for the insta-friendly decor, but you will stay and come back for the amazing food, drinks and service.

In addition to the amazing food made from fresh, seasonal ingredients, Playwright is a restaurant serving up dinner and a show. On weekend nights, you can enjoy live music from local talent while sipping on handcrafted cocktails. It’s a bit of a splurge, but that’s what makes it perfect for a proper date night.

Read more in my Playwright review!

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2. The Harbour – Marbella

The owners of Playwright also operate another restaurant, named the Harbour Marbella. The menu is similar with the same, amazing food quality. But here you will be able to enjoy a view of the ocean and the Marbella harbour.

The Harbour is another romantic restaurant perfect for a date night or another special occasion all year round. But the absolute best time to visit is at Christmas. Then, the restaurant is transformed into a Christmas dream.

With large nutcrackers, a Santa station and lots of other magical decor, it’s the most Christmassy restaurant in Marbella. If you have kids, they will for sure enjoy the Santa and Disney visits scheduled many days throughout December.

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3. Trocadero Arena – Marbella

Grupo Trocadero is a chain of restaurants with several locations in Costa del Sol. The location I have visited so far is the beautiful Trocadero Arena in Marbella.

Our first visit there was due to winning a 2021 Valentine’s Giveaway that included a meal at the restaurant. It was a romantic evening full of good food and good service so of course, it’s been a pleasure to go back.

The menu is extensive with a mix of international dishes and sushi and a whole load of unique cocktails. If the weather allows for it, you can sit outside and watch as the palm trees sway in the wind and hear the waves crash in the sunset.

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4. La Scala – Marbella

La Scala is a beautiful Italian restaurant where you will feel at home. The restaurant is decorated like a living room with cosy decor that truly matches the homecooked food being served.

In addition to homemade pizza and pasta, the menu is full of hearty dishes that taste like they have been cooked by an Italian grandmother. And while you’re there, you need to check out the Tiramisu, as it’s one of the best I’ve ever had!

Read more in my La Scala review!

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5. La Pergola – Mijas

After falling in love with La Scala quickly after moving here, I got some great news in 2021: The owner of La Scala was opening a second location in Mijas. La Pergola is an Italian restaurant with the same style and homecooked meals as La Scala, located in Mijas Costa, a bit outside of La Cala de Mijas.

La Pergola is an amazing restaurant where you get a lot of value for your money. As a result of its high quality of food and service, it is frequently fully booked on weekends. Take a quick trip to Italy without having to leave the country with this authentic and amazingly romantic restaurant.

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6. Figaro – La Cala de Mijas

As a big fan of La Scala and La Pergola, I was delighted when I found out that the owner would open its third restaurant in Costa del Sol. This was not another Italian restaurant, but a fine-dining experience by the name of Figaro. The restaurant opened at the end of 2022 and at the beginning of 2023, I was finally able to experience it for myself.

Figaro is simply the best restaurant I have tried in Mijas and a perfect choice for a romantic date. The decor is stunning, the service is great and the food is simply delicious. It is open for lunch in the daytime and dinner in the evening, seven days a week.

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7. El Higuerón – Fuengirola

El Higuerón is a restaurant located a bit up from the road in a big building with large windows to give the most beautiful view of Fuengirola and beyond. If you’ve ever passed this restaurant while driving on the A-7 you’ve probably been intrigued about what it is.

With large spaces both inside and outside, there is room for many guests at this romantic restaurant. But you should still make sure to book in advance to ensure you get a table. You can also sit in the bar for some crafted cocktails with a stunning view.

The restaurant has a varied menu with a mix of traditional Spanish and international dishes. If you are a fan of fresh seafood or good-quality meats, El Higuerón is definitely a good choice. The price point is also quite good considering the quality of food and service offered.

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8. Arara – Fuengirola

In Fuengirola, very close to El Higuerón Restaurant, you will also find the Hilton Hotel El Higuerón. This is a beautiful hotel perfect for a romantic getaway for a night or two with a unique rooftop pool and lots of good restaurants. While some might prefer the Michelin-mentioned SOLLO by Diego Gallegos, my favourite is Arara.

This is a bistro bar also by Diego Gallegos that is full of colours and flavours. With Southern American flavours (including one of the best guacamoles I have had in my life) it is more fun and playful while still being romantic and elegant. Perfect for a flavourful, delicious date night.

Read more in my Arara review!

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9. Golf clubhouse restaurants in Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol, also known as Costa del Golf, is full of golf courses. This is of course great news for eager golfers, but it should actually also be of interest to foodies. That is because many of the golf clubhouses have their own elegant, romantic restaurants with beautiful views and delicious food.

You normally don’t have to be a member of the golf club to enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants. So if you want a nice meal after golf, or just want to try something different, I recommend you to check out some of the following “golf restaurants”:

• La Terrazza at La Cala Golf (Mijas)
• Calanova Restaurant at Calanova Golf (Mijas)
• The Green Label at Chapparal Golf Club (Mijas)
• La Sierra Restaurante at Cerrado del Águila Golf (Mijas)
• Hacienda Los Naranjos at Los Naranjos Golf (Marbella)
• La View at Los Arqueros Golf (Marbella)

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The restaurants listed above are of course only a small selection of the many romantic and fine-dining restaurants found in Costa del Sol. I only recommend restaurants that I have tried and genuinely believe are worth the recommendation. If you can think of any restaurants that you believe fit on this list, please let me know and I will be sure to check them out!

Valentine’s dinner in Costa del Sol

The restaurants mentioned in this guide are all perfect for anything from a casual date night to special occasions and everything in between. And one day they are especially perfect for is Valentine’s Day.

If you are planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with a meal out, I truly recommend these restaurants. Just remember to book early in advance as the day books up quickly!

If you want to enjoy a meal out but prefer going for brunch or lunch instead of dinner, you can also check my guides on the best restaurants for lunch in Mijas and the best restaurants for lunch in Marbella.

Enjoy your romantic meal out!

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