Tapas are a big part of the local culture in the south of Spain, so unsurprisingly there are a good many places to grab these small tasty plates. The best way to enjoy tapas is to try several dishes, place them in the center of the table and share. That way you get to try more things.

Word is that the tapas came about because Felipe III of Spain was so concerned about his workers getting drunk at lunchtime that he gave them tapas, encouraging them to work harder afterwards.

We will leave you to ponder that. What we can say is that today tapas have spread across Spain and are found all over Torremolinos in a wide variety of places. Even worker's cafes will do great fresh tapas in Torremolinos.

The locals and the Spanish generally love and are justifiably very proud of their food. Here is our selection of some of the best tapas places for all tastes and budgets.

Malaga has evolved into quite a food destination over the last  years. Together with the surrounding area, Torremolinos and Malaga have a number of very good tapas restaurants. But contemporary and fusion cuisine aside, it’s really the down home tapas bars that form the cornerstone of Torremolinos foodie culture.

Tapas in Torremolinos: what and where?

The old quarter of the town, just where Pueblo Blanco is, packed with tapas restaurants — so many that knowing where to go and what to order can be very overwhelming. 

Tapas eating is rooted in many world traditions. First, you’re meant to throw your napkins on the ground. This also means that the dirtier the tapas bar, the better it is. You order drinks and bites as you go.