Having sampled the food in many of Marbella´s chiringuitos, four of the finest beach bars are all located along one street in Marbesa. Situated just 1km west of Cabopino, Marbesa is one of Marbella´s more desirable suburbs, and enjoys a beautiful beachside location.

The Triana
The Triana is the first chiringuito you will come to on the beach at Carib-Playa/Marbesa, when approaching from the Cabopino end, and boasts one of the best locations of them all. Built right above the sandy beach, all tables offer superb views of the Mediterranean. Service is friendly and swift, and from an elevated position you can watch the fishermen on the shoreline, the sunbathers, and even the nudies if it takes your fancy. Between here and Cabopino is the famous nude beach, where visitors let it all hang out for an all over suntan.
Some of the best seafood dishes are available here, and my particular favourite, which I haven´t seen on any other menus is the fresh tuna with sautéed onions and a white wine and lemon sauce. Absolutely delicious. And as tuna is a meaty fish, the onions complement it beautifully. Another favourite at the Triana are the fresh mussels mariniere – plump and juicy as they should be, in a sauce to die for. When you order your drinks here, pieces of home-made tortilla and olives are served as aperitivos, which is a nice touch. As with most beach bars, the prices at the Triana have recently increased, but it is still one of the more reasonably priced restaurants in the area and uses the freshest and tastiest produce available.

Rama´s
Moving along the beach road, Rama´s is situated half a kilometre to the west of Triana, and has been run by the same family for over 25 years. The thing I love about Rama´s is that the interior restaurant with its open fire is attractive and cosy, and the perfect place to enjoy lunch on a windy, winter´s day as well as in the heat of summer. A large spacious terrace is surrounded by vines and greenery, which overlook the sandy beach in front. Situated only 30 metres from the sea, it is little surprise that fresh seafood features largely on the menu, and much of it is caught locally. The speciality of the house is undoubtedly the lubina al sal, fresh seabass baked in salt and served with house salad and potatoes. This whole fish is served at the table and the salt is cracked to reveal the succulent flesh beneath. If you are a meat eater, try the tender solomillo al Oporto, fillet steak cooked with port sauce. The selection of salads here is also inspired – my favourite being the Caprese with mozzarella, avocado and tomatoes – a big improvement on the usual drab ensalada mixta.

Club 200
I worked for two years in the Middle East, and whenever I felt homesick for Spain my first thoughts were of sitting on the sunny terrace at the Club 200, gazing out to sea with a glass of sangria in hand. For unbeatable locations, this restaurant wins hands down and boasts an elevated terrace which gives you the feeling of sitting on top of the ocean as the waves crash down below. One of our most magical times here was watching a troop of Andalucian horses gallop by as the sunset behind them – quite a mystical moment if you are that way inclined. The service here again, is friendly and efficient, and even during the busiest times of the year you never have to wait long. As well as the usual beach bar fare, one of the tastiest dishes served at the 200 is the Urta Roteña, meaty white fish served in a deep iron pan with tomato sauce, onions and potatoes. This is undoubtedly a house speciality and friends of mine travel for miles to eat it. A chilled cabinet is situated just inside the restaurant, and always displays the ´catch of the day´. Another superb dish here is Carabiñeros, large red prawns grilled with garlic. The house salad here is also delicious, and a great mound of lettuce, egg, avocado, tuna, asparagus, cucumber and tomatoes is topped with a sublime mustard dressing.

Papillon
Papillon is one of the brightest kids on the block and enjoys a fab location at the end of the ´strip´ overlooking the garden and beach area at Marbesa. The interior restaurant here is modern and attractive, and the terrace is comfortable and shaded.
A full á la carte menu and a lighter snack/lunch menu is available at Papillon, and also a range of tapas in the summer months. We are normally lunchtime eaters, but live music is often hosted here in the evenings, plus special menus and events.
With plenty of parking close by, delicious food and great service, this is one of my family´s favourite restaurants. Many dishes on the menu differ from the usual beach bar fare, and include cod in batter with chips and mushy peas, moussaka, chicken kiev and shepherd´s pie. Onion soup with cheese croutons is one of my favourites along with goat´s cheese and apple salad and the ever-popular battered prawns served with chips and tartare sauce (very similar in taste to the large scampi we used to enjoy in the UK).
Many restaurants in these parts serve great main courses and disappointing desserts – not so here. Try the crème brulée or the home made chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream ….. delicious!
Eating outdoors is something us northern Europeans relish, and you will find no better places than these to eat, drink and be merry in a beautiful location.

For more information contact:
Restaurante Triana: 0034 952 833933.
Club 200: 0034 952 834992.
Restaurante Rama: 0034 952 832438.
Papillon: 0034 952 834113.