One of the most enjoyable little pleasures after moving to a neighborhood of your dreams is to explore what interesting places and activities are available in the nearby vicinity. Some might have done their research yet before renting or buying based on their specific needs eg: schools for families with children, gym with the latest equipment for fitness lovers or high standard health care services. However there is something everyone wants to know: where are good places to eat and drink in my new area? That is why we would like to take you on a small gastronomic tour around some of the most interesting neighborhoods and communities on The Golden Mile and its surroundings – specialty of Marbella Unique Properties.
San Pedro de Alcantara
Some people boast that they have been going to eat to Alfredo’s in San Pedro Alcantara for over 30 years! This can only mean one thing: that this restaurant, knows how to keep their client’s stomach happy with juicy massive steaks, irresistible lamb chops, huge salads and an amazing selection of fresh fish – generous portions of tasty homely Spanish cuisine for reasonable prices is Alfredo’s winning formula, who’s restaurant over the years has doubled in size and continues to gain faithful customers among both, locals and tourists. They appreciate the warm and busy ambience with rustic decoration and efficient service. In Alfredo’s, they are family friendly and are happy to assist with birthday celebrations.
Staying in San Pedro, this time we will opt for something more international. One of the five restaurants of the little Italian chain Da Bruno, spread along the Costa del Sol is located just between the Bulevar San Pedro and Paseo Marítimo. Ideal for devotees of Italian cuisine who can choose the most emblematic Italian dishes from an extensive seasonal menu and enjoy them in the impressive interior dominated by glass chandeliers and decorated ceilings. The overall atmosphere is accentuated by live music. Slightly more expensive, allowing great advantages and interesting discounts to their regular visitors via their loyalty card. Da Bruno are aware of contemporary trends and offer gluten free alternatives with theirs pizzas and pasta dishes and they also provide a take away service.
Nueva Andalucia
Before moving on to Puerto Banús let’s have a quick stop at Sidreria Manolo in the la Campana area of Nueva Andalucía. An authentic place “off the glamorous beaten track”: uninspiring entrance on a hidden village street, paper tablecloths, handwritten menu with no prices… you might not be impressed by the ambience, but you will definitely be amazed by the food, delicious Austrian dishes like “pulpo”, “chorizos in cider” and “rodaballo” fish among others. Positive rumours about this place keep spreading among gourmets well beyond Andalucia.
During your holiday or living in Nueva Andalucia, sooner or later you will come across the coffee shop Dezentral Café. It’s one of those discreet little places that are surprisingly always full. Super trendy breakfast and lunch venue, very Instagram friendly that you would expect to find in any of the big European metropolis and less probably on the seashore. The menu packed full of superfoods such as chia seeds, quinoa and agave; vegetarian and vegan friendly international dishes like shakshuka or hummus; gluten free bread; homemade lemonades; even bullet proof coffee! (made with octane oil and ghee butter). Dezentraals’ concept has the ambition to offer the very best of contemporary urban – hipster gastronomy trends in the Marbella area.
Puerto Banus
A couple of pages could be written about the gastronomic variety in Puerto Banus, but we will limit ourselves to mention just two of the “must know” places that can come in handy if you are one of the lucky ones living on the Costa del Sol and or with visitors. You cannot go wrong if you take your guests to Picasso restaurant. Even though it is set first line in Puerto Banús marina (one of the most expensive locations in the area) it offers very reasonable prices and serves massive portions of pizza, pasta, salads, burgers and meat dishes. With a universal menu, good vibes and kids entertainment will make every client happy (not just families).
As promised, here is the second “must try place” first line in the Puerto Banús marina. Astral cocktail bar will stimulate all your senses, once you step on board this wooden pirate ship themed bar, you will want to come back again and again. The atmosphere is vibrant and tropical: happy and friendly staff, an abundance of fruit covers the bar, high wooden tables and a rotating central seated area with the sea views, music that makes you feel like dancing and most importantly, a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails amazingly garnished with fresh fruit. Astral attracts a very mixed crowd that enjoys chilling out and watching the world go by. In the high season you will most probably have to queue and wait to be seated.
To be continued…