The best beach restaurants near Nerja are the ones where lunch turns into the whole afternoon. Our favourites range from paella at Ayo on Burriana beach to grilled fish with your feet in the sand at Pepe Oro in Torrox. Here are the chiringuitos and sea-view terraces we go back to, and what we order.
Right on Burriana beach and famous for its paella and fish. The atmosphere is lively and local, and it is the classic Nerja beach lunch. Summer parking around Burriana can be challenging, so arrive early or come on foot.
Our easy nearby option, about a minute from the house by car. Playa Vilches is small and relaxed, with sunbeds, free parking and a beach bar. Lunch there is a favourite: paella and BBQ are popular, and we always order a tinto de verano con limón.
Close to Casa Joya, with a large terrace looking out over the sea. Our order is the fish skewer with salad and fries, followed by chocolate cake and a café con leche. Playa Guilche below has no facilities on the sand, so this is a good place to eat after a swim.
A short walk from our house, set slightly above Playazo beach in Punta Lara. The terrace looks out over the Mediterranean towards the mountains, and on a clear day you can see towards Frigiliana. The seasonal menu uses fresh, local ingredients with plenty for vegetarians, vegans and children, and there is a large private car park.
Heading west along the coast, Torrox has some of our favourite unfussy beach lunches.
Fish with your feet in the sand. Think simple chairs, sand under your toes and very fresh fish. Our favourite is the grilled dorada with fries and salad, with a glass of white wine.
A renewed chiringuito that is ideal for lunch. Ask for a downstairs table on the sand. Favourites include the tuna, tomato and avocado salad, clams, fish of the day, calamari and BBQ sardines. At the time of writing it was lunch only and closed on Wednesdays.
A local favourite for Spanish food in Torrox. Share the shrimp croquettes and mini burgers, try the tuna tartare and ask about the daily specials.
A stylish beach spot with Bali beds, hammocks and comfortable corners for drinks, snacks, wine and cocktails. It is more about the whole beach experience than a quick meal, so plan to stay a while.
Rustic and relaxed, with Moroccan cooking by the beach and good options for vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free guests. Our favourites are the seafood platter to share and the house white wine. At the time of writing it was lunch only.
About 20 minutes from Nerja, this charming spot is known for very fresh fish. We particularly recommend the ceviche and sushi. Book ahead and combine it with a walk along the beach.
What ties all of these together is the pace. A beach lunch here is not something to squeeze in between activities. Order a drink, share a few plates, swim, and come back for coffee. That slow afternoon is, for us, the best of the Costa del Sol.
To choose your beach first, read our guide to the best beaches in Nerja. If you want a long beach day with a cool drink, our guide to tinto de verano and other Spanish drinks tells you what to order. For dinner in town, see our favourite restaurants in Nerja.
One of the things we love about staying in Ladera del Mar is how close the beach lunches are. Playa Vilches, El Mirador de Guilche and Avalon are all within minutes, so you can swim, eat and be back on the terrace for a siesta. If that sounds like your kind of holiday, check availability at Casa Joya.
Ayo Chiringuito on Playa Burriana is famous for its paella and fish. The beach bar at Playa Vilches is also popular for paella and BBQ. Summer parking at Burriana can be tricky, so go early.
A chiringuito is a Spanish beach bar or restaurant, often right on the sand. In Nerja and Torrox they are known for grilled fish, sardines and paella at lunchtime.
Some are lunch only. At the time of writing, Merendero Costa del Sol and Venta El Molino served lunch only, so check current hours before planning an evening there.