Food tour Malaga with Spain Food Sherpa
There is no better way to get to know a place than by eating. Especially in a city like Malaga wwhere communal dining is such an important part of life. And we understand why they make a big fuss about the food here because, wow, the food is incredibly good! Discover how, what, and where the people of Malaga eat with the Food Tour by Spain Food Sherpas.
A Passion for Food
We arrive at the meeting point of our food tour in Malaga. at eleven o’clock. With a small group of six and our guide, we set out to explore the city on foot, which allows you to get to know the city a bit as well. Tip! Book a food tour right at the beginning of your city trip so that you know where to go and what to order for the rest of your time in Malaga. We had been traveling from the Netherlands for quite some time and went straight from the plane to the food tour (quite intense). But it gave us an immediate sense of direction and helped us find the best restaurants.
Our super friendly guide, Javier, knows Malaga like no other. He knows everything about the food and the best restaurants, and he manages to convey all of this in a really enjoyable way. One of the great things about a food tour is that it attracts a diverse group of people – different countries, ages, professions, and lifestyles. After a short introduction, we all walk through the city, still feeling hungry (having deliberately not eaten anything), towards our first stop.
Eat and Drink Like a Local
Forget the pitchers of Sangria and the giant plates of Paella. According to our guide, Javier, those are mainly gimmicks for tourists, and no one from Malaga would order them. Restaurants that heavily promote these dishes are better off skipped, according to Javier. Tip number 1, and a very good one indeed.
Discover the Tastiest Ingredients at Malaga’s Market
The market is the perfect place to find and taste local food, and it’s also incredibly affordable. Our first tasting takes place here. But not before we make a quick stop at a bakery. And let me tell you, it was difficult because the smell was absolutely amazing. Malaga has plenty of sweetness to offer. From drunken cakes to crazy pastries, everything looks and smells divine. It’s enough to drive you mad.
Upon arrival at the market, we are served our first tapas, and of course, it wouldn’t be complete without wine. Let me remind you that it’s eleven o’clock in the morning, we have been traveling since 2 o’clock at night, and we haven’t had breakfast yet. So that wine hit the spot. We get fried eggplant with sugarcane sauce and fried white anchovies. And as a drink, a summer wine. Red wine mixed with lemonade. It was delicious.
Not Just Any Ham
No, for these hams, you want to take your time, treat them with love, savor them in peace, without distractions, and with a good glass of wine. Maybe a bit exaggerated, but not entirely. Because here in Malaga, they take their ham very seriously, and you can taste it.
We were treated to a small tasting where we could sample different hams. And the highlight was the best Iberian ham you can get, from a black pig that has been happily roaming the fields and feasting on acorns. Can you taste the difference? Oh, absolutely. The ham has a much stronger yet soft flavor and literally melts in your mouth. Are you already salivating?
Traditional Food with a Twist
Our third stop was the restaurant Uvedoble. Here, they serve traditional tapas with a modern twist. Perhaps our favorite in Malaga. We were served a kebab with prawns, and oh my god, it was delicious. So delicious that we went back there later that evening. And with a kebab, you have to have beer, so we chose a local beer from Malaga. Victoria: a very fine, smooth beer. While we were enjoying our delicious kebab and beer, Javier told us that every year there is a competition for the best Russian Salad. Because even though the salad is of Russian origin, it is one of the most popular dishes in Malaga. This restaurant won the prize this year. We tried the salad, and it was addictively delicious.
Wine, Wine, and More Wine
This makes me incredibly happy. Our last stop was a wine bar. The wine in Spain is insanely good, and I’m glad I still remember something from the weekend. I couldn’t get enough of it. During our stop, we were served a fantastic local wine and our final tapas: croquettes and secret piglet.
What a Fantastic Start to our Malaga Trip
After almost four hours of walking and enjoying various tapas and drinks, the tour came to an end. With a full belly and a slightly light-headed feeling from the delightful drinks, I look back with great satisfaction on a highly successful tour. A food tour is such a fun way to get to know a city, especially one as good as the food tours by Spain Food Sherpas. Great food, interesting information, a friendly group, and a fantastic guide.
Thank you, Spain Food Sherpas, for the fantastic tour of Malaga, and a special thanks to our guide, Javier, for the enjoyable day and helpful tips.