Restaurant & Bar Recommendations
These restaurant recommendations are based solely on my experiences so I’ve eaten in all of them and haven’t taken any bribes to add them on here! I have started at the beginning of the main street and worked my way down so they are in that order alone and for no other reason.
Please note that in Spain in general at lunchtime they often have a “Menu Del Dia” (Menu of the day) which is often much cheaper (fixed price) and will be made up of 2 – 3 courses although Benahavis may have less (if any) of these compared to elsewhere.
Rufino Restaurant – This restaurant is on a raised section overlooking the main street and they do a good variety of meats and other Spanish food. I had the Swordfish in August when they were very busy which was very good and their Entrecote (steak) is very nice too.
Canela (Pizzeria) – Great large thin crust Italian pizzas from around 8 Euros upwards with friendly staff and cheap beer. They also do Tapas, Paella (pre order the day before) salads and some pastas.
Legends – This is the mainly English Sports Bar with lots of TV’s for live Football and other sports. Their pub food and Sundays Roasts are very good and they have a nice outside rear terrace and seating in the main street at the front.
Bodegon Gallery Restaurant – The service and food in this restaurant is very good as they do a good variety of food. Their homemade burger (ground beef made to order) is really good along with the fries and two sauces (honey mustard and barbecue sauce).
The No.1 restaurant on Trip Advisor is Amanhavis Hotel & Restaurant – You may need to book as I did try and eat there one night but they were fully booked! The food is very nice here and the service was also good when I went there.
Amigos – A nice little restaurant in the pedestrian street with some outside tables and bar seating. I have had their Ribs and they were very good and they generally specialise in meats.
Anna’s Pom Pom (Bar) – A little off the square in the pedestrian street below the main street is Anna’s Pom Pom with nice outside seating on the street where you can watch the world go by having a drink.
Bodega de Chico – Opposite Lilys is the Chicos Bodega (Chico’s wine bar) which is usually pretty busy. They also do a variety of cheap tapas although I haven’t eaten here.
Los Abanicos – One of the nicest upmarket restaurants in the village with a focus again on meats and outside eating in the summer. You get a free pate starter and the meals are large so I would suggest just sticking to a main course unless you’re very hungry and have a big appetite!
Tehuelche – (Argentine Steak House) Tel +34 952 88 37 42 – This restaurant is based on the main road down to the coast from Benahavis 6km from the village but it’s well worth a visit. They have an outside terrace and they also get booked up even during the week sometimes so I would definitely book first especially if you want to sit outside on the terrace in the summer rather than inside the restaurant.
Hills Cafe – You could combine a drink or meal at the hills Cafe and a walk to the top of Montemayor castle – see things to do.
San Pedro Beach (9km)
On San Pedro’s main beach I like Kala Kalua (mains around 18 Euros +) which is right on the beach and has lots of fresh seafood, meats and salads (their baby squid is very nice).
If you’re looking for an upmarket beach restaurant (main courses around 30 Euros) I can recommend Macaao Beach Club as I have eaten there on a number of occasions. Their salads and fish are lovely and fresh (see pictures) and it’s in the Guadalmina Beach area.
Click here for the top 10 restaurants on Tripadvisor.