Whatever you feel like eating in Fuengirola, you will find it. English cafés lie side by side with traditional Spanish restaurants and tapas bars, and everything is within easy reach. Every type of cuisine is available, including Chinese, Indian, Italian, British, Thai, Spanish and French. And if you have a strict holiday budget, you will still find plenty of great places to eat in town.

Fuengirola is just 25 minute´s drive from Marbella and Puerto Banus, and just 10 minutes from the beautiful mountain town of Mijas.I  have lived at Mijas-Golf for the past four years, and restaurants in Fuengirola have improved and increased during that time.  Some of the best places to eat in Fuengirola include:

Bodega la Solera
Situated on C/Capìtan, just off Church Square in Fuengirola, it is within easy walking distance of the centre of town. Bodega la Solera is a family-run restaurant with the emphasis on great service, great value and great food. The €15 set menu represents excellent value for money, and includes a good choice of Spanish and international dishes. We last visited this bodega, with its cosy dark wood interior bar and comfortable restaurant, just a week ago, and the food was as good as ever. Paco and Joséfina who run the restaurant always offer guests a warm welcome, and there is a long bar to sit at if you want an aperitif before eating. The set menu offers over ten choices on each course, and represents good home cooking with plenty of Spanish flair. Last time we were there we ordered the porra antequerana, a delicious thick-style of gazpacho with chopped ham, egg and capers on top, while our friends started with  revuelto de gambas, champiñones y jamón, scrambled eggs with prawns, mushrooms and ham. Main courses included the superb leg of duck with Marsala wine sauce, which was cooked to perfection, and served with creamed potato and vegetables. The pork fillet with green pepper sauce was also delicious. Desserts include home made flan, a wide choice of tarts and flans, and lemon sorbet with cava. A glass of wine per person is included in the €15 menu, and you will be hard pushed to find a better choice on a set menu anywhere on the Costa del Sol.Telephone: 952467708.

Restaurante Aroma Fish Alley Fuengirola
Of all the fabulous restaurants situated in Fuengirola´s famous area of Fish Alley, Aroma is one of the very best. This elegant eaterie has evolved into of the most popular restaurants in town, and the food is delicious.  Situated just 50 metres from the sea front, Aroma is easily accessible on foot, and boasts one of the best locations in Fuengirola.

Fuengirola has long ago thrown off its fish and chips image (although you an still get those if you fancy), and the town now boasts some of the finest restaurants in Andalucia.

Run by John and Roque, the presentation of the food at Aroma matches the stylish furniture and opulent feel of this special restaurant. Open from 6.30pm, seven nights a week, Aroma uses many local ingredients in its fabulous range of dishes, and also offers an extensive wine list to complement the menu.  John originates from Scotland, and Roque from Argentina, and their catering expertise and professionalism shines through when you visit Aroma.
With seating for 60 people inside and 20 on the terrace, this restaurant is neither too big nor small, and the friendly service is both welcoming and efficient. Variety really is the spice of life at Aroma, and old favourites such as garlic bread, home-made paté and delicious home-made soups, mingle with the more extravagant ostrich carpaccio, fresh lobster ´Café de Paris´ and a host of other magnificent offerings.Telephone: 95 266 5502.

Bodega El Toston Fuengirola
Of all the fabulous restaurants in and around Fuengirola, Bodega El Toston really is a gem.  Situated in an unassuming location behind the bus station in the centre of town, you could easily pass by this popular eaterie without a second glance, but you would be missing a real treat.

Boasting a delicious selection of mainly Spanish delicacies including the best smoked Iberian Meats and Cheeses, El Toston also offers an amazing wine list – some of the best regional wines can also be enjoyed by the glass.On entering through a typically Andalucian wood door, the first thing to hit the senses is the vast number of Serrano hams hanging from the ceiling and the dark wood barrels which surround the bar.  The excellent food, which can be enjoyed either in the bar area or on the covered terrace outside, is complemented by the fabulous service.

Dishes can be ordered as tapas, half portions or full meals and the selection of canapés comes highly recommended.  The menu is wide and varied and includes such specialities as Roast Mediterranean Vegetables with Pesto Oil, Scrambled Eggs with Prawns, Wild Mushrooms and Green Asparagus and Braised Oxtail with Red Wine.Perfect dining any time of the year, and particularly busy at weekends, booking is recommended but not essential. Telephone: 95 247 5632.

The Portofino Restaurant Fuengirola
Situated on the sea front in Fuengirola this fantastic restaurant has flourished since the 1970´s, with the same owners since those early days. The food served at Portofino can be described as ´Retro´, and some firm favourites from yesteryear are on the menu.

Offering a wide selection of fish and meat dishes such as Sole Meuniere, Fried Halibut Goujons, Fillet Steak Diane and Beef Strogonoff with Wild Rice, this superb eaterie offers something to suit all tastes.  Roast Leg of Baby Lamb and Half Roast Duck plus other specialities can be pre-ordered when booking your table, and a range of vegetarian dishes are also available. The Portofino enjoys a great location close to the beach, with all other amenities including bars and nightclubs within easy walking distance.  Particularly busy in the summer and at weekends, booking is highly recommended. Telephone: 95 247 0643.

Tipi Tapa Fuengirola
Just opposite Las Rampas, and behind the café central off the main street is the fabulous Tipi Tapa Restaurant, which offers not only some of the best tapas you will try in Fuengirola, but also snacks, sandwiches and full meals. Whether you want to dine a la carte and sample the menu, or stop by for a couple of tapas, you won´t be disappointed at this superb eaterie in the centre of town.  Try the Gambas pil-pil, which is among the best I have eaten in Spain. The grilled meat is also a speciality, particularly the entrecote steak. The Jamón serrano, Boquerones and squid are also worth a try, along with the smoked salmon. For reservation or more information telephone:  951 311 630.

Al Fresco Fuengirola
If you are looking for delicious organic food in Fuengirola, try the superb café Al Fresco just 10 metres from Dunnes Entrance in Las Rampas. Snacks and full meals are served, and this is a great place to stop for lunch or a cappucino, a glass of wine or a fresh squeezed fruit juice. During the winter Al Fresco serves delicious home made soup from a soup kettle, and a fantastic range of ciabatta sandwiches with houmous, chicken, pesto and a range of other mouthwatering goodies. Treat  yourself to a slice of home made walnut cake or carrot cake with a cup of coffee if you are in a hurry, or stay a bit longer and sample the delicious wraps with a range of vegetarian and meat options. Much of the produce is organic, and home made including the jams and marmalades. Well worth a visit if you are in Fuengirola shopping, eating or relaxing. Al Fresco also has another branch in Los Boliches. Telephone: 635 836791.

Restaurante Salamanca Fuengirola
In a town packed with great restaurants, the Salamanca is one of the best. Situated just off the Church Square, in the middle of Fuengirola, this cosy restaurant is always packed with locals and tourists. The home cooked food is always tasty and plentiful and the prices are incredible.  There are two set menus, priced at €9 and €15 or you can choose from the full menu which includes a great selection of fish, meat and vegetable dishes.Diners choosing the set menus have a fabulous choice of dishes including starters such as paella, house salad, home made fish soup, prawn cocktail, ham croquettes and gazpacho.  Main courses include grilled swordfish, chicken brochette with pepper sauce, hake with green sauce, roast fillet of pork and grilled rosada with lemon and garlic.  Set menus also include desserts such as home made crème caramel and crème brulee to name but a few.Soft drinks and wine are included and this popular eaterie is a great find.Telephone: 95 259 2287.

Whether you are visiting Fuengirola for a day or staying for a week or two´s holiday, there are plenty of great restaurants and cafés to choose from, offering delicious food and great value for money. Take your time to look around, relax and enjoy some of the best food on the Costa del Sol.
by Jane Love (janelove1@hotmail.com)