Our favourite restaurants
There are so many places to have a nice bite to eat, after all these years we are still discovering new places. Lovely home made food at good prices is very easy to find. This list consists of special restaurants where either the food, location or vibe make it really worth a visit. Please let us know if you have discovered a place you feel needs to be included on the list! We have included vegetarian and vegan options because these are harder to find. Pricing is fair in all of them but they are not the cheapest choices.
FOOD
Located in Benalmadena Pueblo (10 minutes from BtLT) One of our top favourites. It's a dining experience so not the place to go for a quick bite but the perfect choice to celebrate. Excellent food prepared with care and love. Spanish dishes with an extra flair. Guests are a mix of international residents and Spanish people. The owners of the restaurant have been in the business for over 30 years and we have known them all that time, it is now run by their daughters. Although they have a terrace it may not be the best choice if you are looking for a summer evening outside dining.
44 Einheimische empfehlen
Restaurante La Perla
12 C. IbizaFOOD
Located in Benalmadena Pueblo (10 minutes from BtLT) One of our top favourites. It's a dining experience so not the place to go for a quick bite but the perfect choice to celebrate. Excellent food prepared with care and love. Spanish dishes with an extra flair. Guests are a mix of international residents and Spanish people. The owners of the restaurant have been in the business for over 30 years and we have known them all that time, it is now run by their daughters. Although they have a terrace it may not be the best choice if you are looking for a summer evening outside dining.
FOOD & VIBE
La Libelula is a very popular place with vegetarians and vegans. The food is lovely, original mixes and everything is freshly made. Daily specialities and very inexpensive take away. Nice shabby chic interior and friendly service. The location isn't great and neither is the view but the food makes up for it. (Located in Fuengirola, 10 minutes from BtLT. )
7 Einheimische empfehlen
La Libelula Vegan Cafe
esquina C. EspínarFOOD & VIBE
La Libelula is a very popular place with vegetarians and vegans. The food is lovely, original mixes and everything is freshly made. Daily specialities and very inexpensive take away. Nice shabby chic interior and friendly service. The location isn't great and neither is the view but the food makes up for it. (Located in Fuengirola, 10 minutes from BtLT. )
FOOD & VIBE
Really nice place for breakfast, coffee, cakes, small lunches. Located close to the centre of Fuengirola.
30 Einheimische empfehlen
Pan y Chocolate
6 C. San PancracioFOOD & VIBE
Really nice place for breakfast, coffee, cakes, small lunches. Located close to the centre of Fuengirola.
FOOD & PROXIMITY
If you like meat Casa Navarra is the place you want to go. It is on the Carretera de Mijas-Fuengirola so 3 minutes from Back to La Tierra driving down. The food is uncomplicated: meat, potatoes and salad. Good wines too. Prices are quite high as they get the best quality meat available. (Not certified organic) The service is basic too but the interior tells many stories of the decades this restaurant has been a well known location for local residents.
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Casa Navarra
4 Ctra. Mijas-FuengirolaFOOD & PROXIMITY
If you like meat Casa Navarra is the place you want to go. It is on the Carretera de Mijas-Fuengirola so 3 minutes from Back to La Tierra driving down. The food is uncomplicated: meat, potatoes and salad. Good wines too. Prices are quite high as they get the best quality meat available. (Not certified organic) The service is basic too but the interior tells many stories of the decades this restaurant has been a well known location for local residents.
LOCATION & VIBE - BEACH
This is a great part of the beach (east of Fuengirola, Carvajal) with a colourful bar/restaurant. Very relaxed spot and nice music. Parking on the beach or on the road.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Playa La Cubana
217 Ctra. CádizLOCATION & VIBE - BEACH
This is a great part of the beach (east of Fuengirola, Carvajal) with a colourful bar/restaurant. Very relaxed spot and nice music. Parking on the beach or on the road.
LOCATION - BEACH
Kalifato is a no nonsense beach restaurant, chiringuito, on the Carvajal beach (next to La Cubana). One of the few chiringuitos where your feet are literally in the sand as you eat your boquerones.
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Restaurante Kalifato
LOCATION - BEACH
Kalifato is a no nonsense beach restaurant, chiringuito, on the Carvajal beach (next to La Cubana). One of the few chiringuitos where your feet are literally in the sand as you eat your boquerones.
There is a snack place on the top floor serving sandwiches and a great inexpensive Spanish breakfast (toast with olive oil and tomato). You are right above the beach and have breathtaking views over the whole coast whilst you hear the sound of the waves. A restaurant recently opened this spring (2019) on the beach and although we have not been yet we have heard some very good reviews. Sunset is probably the best time to go there but get there on time because it is always busy.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Playa de "Las YUCAS"
There is a snack place on the top floor serving sandwiches and a great inexpensive Spanish breakfast (toast with olive oil and tomato). You are right above the beach and have breathtaking views over the whole coast whilst you hear the sound of the waves. A restaurant recently opened this spring (2019) on the beach and although we have not been yet we have heard some very good reviews. Sunset is probably the best time to go there but get there on time because it is always busy.
LOCATION, FOOD Apart from being a very special place to go for lovely food, it is a beautiful drive to the Castle of Monda. Monda is located about 30 minutes from Back to La Tierra and is a lovely white village to go for a stroll. Walking up to the Castle is quite a climb so keep that in mind if you are parked in the centre of town.
The Castle has a bar serving Spanish tapas and a restaurant offering delicious international cuisine. The terrace overlooks Monda and is a truly breathtaking place to be.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Hotel - Restaurante Castillo De Monda
s/n C. VilletaLOCATION, FOOD Apart from being a very special place to go for lovely food, it is a beautiful drive to the Castle of Monda. Monda is located about 30 minutes from Back to La Tierra and is a lovely white village to go for a stroll. Walking up to the Castle is quite a climb so keep that in mind if you are parked in the centre of town.
The Castle has a bar serving Spanish tapas and a restaurant offering delicious international cuisine. The terrace overlooks Monda and is a truly breathtaking place to be.
Shopping Tips
If you like fresh, local produce you will find you need to go to a few different places to get what you want.There are a few large supermarkets around but don't forget the daily market in Fuengirola and organic markets in the weekend around the coast.
This is a handy place to go if you are coming from the airport to purchase your first needs, take the exit Benalmadena/Mijas and follow Carrefour signs. This is a large supermarket with ling opening hours, that has a nice section on local products.
63 Einheimische empfehlen
Carrefour Market
Avenida del HiguerónThis is a handy place to go if you are coming from the airport to purchase your first needs, take the exit Benalmadena/Mijas and follow Carrefour signs. This is a large supermarket with ling opening hours, that has a nice section on local products.
Bionatura is one of the oldest organic shops in the area. Very reliable products and friendly service.
Bionatura
Calle PulpoBionatura is one of the oldest organic shops in the area. Very reliable products and friendly service.
Lidl
S/n C. RealI love their bread selection.
Aldi is the first large supermarket you will find on your way down to Fuengirola. A good selection of everything.
52 Einheimische empfehlen
Aldi
50 Pl. San RafaelAldi is the first large supermarket you will find on your way down to Fuengirola. A good selection of everything.
Beaches
The Costa del Sol has a lot of beach. Some are nicer than others, here we have made a selection of the ones that tend to not be extremely busy (Sunday is always busy everywhere and parking will be hard). Depending how far you are willing to travel there are a lot of options.
A nice, cosy beach with a nice bohemian vibe. On the Carvajal beach which is east of Fuengirola. About 10 mins from BtLT by car.
47 Einheimische empfehlen
Chiringuito La Cubana
s/n Sendero de Playa CarvajalA nice, cosy beach with a nice bohemian vibe. On the Carvajal beach which is east of Fuengirola. About 10 mins from BtLT by car.
The playa de los Alamos is east of Fuengirola bordering with Malaga just past Playamar. Driving from BtLT is takes about 15 min, take exit 1 towards "Parador de Golf". The beaches are lovely and wide. There are a couple of trendy beach clubs here with large sunbeds, nice beach food and live music on some evenings. Check them on Facebook for events etc (Tanit, La Playa Surf).
41 Einheimische empfehlen
Playa de los Álamos
The playa de los Alamos is east of Fuengirola bordering with Malaga just past Playamar. Driving from BtLT is takes about 15 min, take exit 1 towards "Parador de Golf". The beaches are lovely and wide. There are a couple of trendy beach clubs here with large sunbeds, nice beach food and live music on some evenings. Check them on Facebook for events etc (Tanit, La Playa Surf).
On very hot days we love to go to Tarifa. It is on the Atlantic coast and 1.5 hour drive but it really feels like you are on a different continent. The village is Bohemia paradise. The sea is colder, bluer and wilder (surfing!). If you decide to go to Tarifa then make sure to reserve a spot on the 2 hour FIRMM whale watching boat trip. (Bring a sweater!) Very impressive, well explained and respectful watching guaranteed. FIRMM consists of researchers and student volunteers. Your ticket (€30per person) goes to their continued research.
414 Einheimische empfehlen
Tarifa
On very hot days we love to go to Tarifa. It is on the Atlantic coast and 1.5 hour drive but it really feels like you are on a different continent. The village is Bohemia paradise. The sea is colder, bluer and wilder (surfing!). If you decide to go to Tarifa then make sure to reserve a spot on the 2 hour FIRMM whale watching boat trip. (Bring a sweater!) Very impressive, well explained and respectful watching guaranteed. FIRMM consists of researchers and student volunteers. Your ticket (€30per person) goes to their continued research.
If you like strolling by the sea but away form the sand then the Mijas boardwalk is great. It starts by La Cala beach(take exit Cala de Mijas) which is about a 15 min drive from BtLT direction Marbella (take the coastal road NOT the highway).
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Senda Litoral Mijas
If you like strolling by the sea but away form the sand then the Mijas boardwalk is great. It starts by La Cala beach(take exit Cala de Mijas) which is about a 15 min drive from BtLT direction Marbella (take the coastal road NOT the highway).
Self Care
A good massage or a refreshing haircut is only as good as the person doing it. We have some wonderful recommendations.
Vidamia is a small salon in Fuengirola. Ask for Diana. Her bubbly energy and hair & person skills give you more than a new look.
Peluqueria Vidamia. Hair, Body & Soul
3 C. Coronel RipolletVidamia is a small salon in Fuengirola. Ask for Diana. Her bubbly energy and hair & person skills give you more than a new look.
At Vidamia you can also get a massage (sports or relaxation) or reflexology session. Ask for Miguel, he can also come to Back to la Tierra to see you.
Peluqueria Vidamia. Hair, Body & Soul
3 C. Coronel RipolletAt Vidamia you can also get a massage (sports or relaxation) or reflexology session. Ask for Miguel, he can also come to Back to la Tierra to see you.