Restaurants in Mijas Pueblo: dining with a view

The biggest asset of Mijas Pueblo is the view, and many restaurants make the most of it with terraces at the edge of the village. A table at sunset, with the coast and the Mediterranean at your feet, is worth booking for. Expect a mix of Andalusian classics and international dishes at these spots. A name you hear a lot here is The Secret Garden, with a rooftop terrace above the village roofs; book well ahead if you want a sunset table.

Our tip: come early or reserve for the tables with the best view. For the wider regional cuisine, see our guide to food and dining in Mijas.

In the streets around the Plaza de la Constitución you find traditional restaurants and venta-style places that have been going for generations. Here you eat inland dishes: roast meats, stews, soups like gazpacho and salmorejo, and local wine. It is heartier and more rustic than the coastal fish cuisine, fitting for the mountain village.

A few addresses are considered village institutions. Feel free to ask the locals or the staff for their recommendation of the day, which often leads to the best meal.

For an informal lunch or drink, the tapas bars are ideal. Order a few dishes to share: jamón ibérico, grilled pimientos de padrón, tortilla, croquetas and local cheese, with a cold beer or a glass of wine. It is the most sociable and cheapest way to taste around.

Bear in mind that Spaniards eat late: lunch from 13:30, dinner from 20:30. Many kitchens close in between.

Between exploring, a terrace with coffee and Spanish pastries is a nice pause. Mijas Pueblo also has Mayan Monkey, a small artisan chocolate factory where you can taste and make your own bar, fun with children. The ice-cream parlours around the squares are perfect for cooling off on a warm day.

Combine a sweet stop with a visit to the museums or the viewpoints; everything is within walking distance. See our guide things to do in Mijas Pueblo.

Book for dinner with a view, especially in high season and at sunset. Card payment is accepted almost everywhere. Prices are a touch higher than inland due to the tourist setting, but just off the main tourist route you eat better and cheaper.

If you stay on the coast, a lunch in the village combines well with an afternoon in Mijas Pueblo. Plan it with our one-day Mijas Pueblo plan.