Estepona really comes alive in the evening.
As the temperature begins to drop, the restaurants fill up, the lights come on across the old town and people head out for dinner, drinks and a walk through the town’s flower-filled streets.
In this guide, I’m taking you on an evening walk through central Estepona, starting beside the beach before heading into the old town. Along the way, I’ll show you some of my favourite restaurants, tapas bars, plazas and places to visit after the sun begins to go down.
Whether you are visiting Estepona on holiday or already live here, this route should give you plenty of ideas for your next evening out.
Begin your evening on the Paseo Marítimo
The Paseo Marítimo is a great place to begin an evening in Estepona.
You can take a relaxing walk beside the beach, go for an evening swim or continue along the promenade towards Estepona Marina. Walking in the opposite direction takes you towards a few small bars overlooking the bay, with views towards Gibraltar and, on a clear day, the coast of Africa.
The promenade is also a good option for families. During the summer, there are children’s play areas, rides and other activities close to the beach.
The atmosphere changes considerably outside the main summer season, but the paseo remains a lovely place for a walk throughout the year.
Chiringuito Paco
Near the end of Avenida Juan Carlos I, you will find Chiringuito Paco, one of my favourite places for traditional food beside the beach.
The restaurant has a fire where fish is cooked over the flames in the traditional espetos style. The grilled sardines are particularly good and are one of those dishes you should try at least once during a visit to the Costa del Sol.
There are several other chiringuitos along the beach, but Paco remains one of my personal favourites.
Watch my video on Chiringuito Paco
La Peseta
Further along the paseo is La Peseta, one of the more traditional chiringuitos remaining in central Estepona.
While some of the other beach restaurants now feel more modern and polished, La Peseta still has an old-fashioned, relaxed atmosphere.
Nearby, you will also find the outdoor chess boards. During the summer, there are often organised games and small chess events taking place here.
La Cozzeria
Close to the post office is La Cozzeria, an Italian restaurant positioned in a small square beneath the trees.
It is particularly well known for its mussels, but the pizzas are also very good. The quiet square and proximity to the beach make it an excellent place for an evening meal.
Other nearby options include Lorenzo’s, another popular Italian restaurant, and Tacos & Tequila, which is located a little further along the promenade.
Plaza de las Flores
From the paseo, walk up Calle Terraza and you will soon arrive at Plaza de las Flores.
This is one of Estepona’s best-known and most popular squares. It is surrounded by restaurants, cafés and bars, with a fountain in the centre and plenty of outside seating.
The square becomes particularly lively during the evening, often with musicians performing nearby.
Where to eat and drink in Plaza de las Flores
One of my favourite places here is El Descaro, although I still often refer to it as Martín’s because Martín, who works there, is always incredibly friendly.
It is a good choice for drinks, tapas, and casual food while enjoying the atmosphere of the square.
For more traditional Spanish tapas, try La Sureña.
You can also eat at Hotel Silken El Pilar Andalucía.
The rooftop bar at Hotel El Pilar
Even if you are not staying at Hotel El Pilar, it is worth visiting its rooftop bar.
From the roof, you get excellent views across Plaza de las Flores and the rooftops of Estepona. It is an ideal place for an evening drink, although you may have to wait during busy summer nights.
The hotel also includes a restaurant on the roof and Cooper’s Barrel, an English-themed pub down the side.
Plaza Doctor Arce
A small passage beside Plaza de las Flores leads into Plaza Doctor Arce, often shortened locally to Plaza Doc.
It is a much smaller square, but there are several places to eat and drink.
Madubar is one option that I have visited recently and enjoyed.
Just around the corner is El Tardeo, a bar that occasionally has live music.
Egg Square: Plaza Antonia Guerrero
Continue up Calle Terraza, and you will reach Plaza Antonia Guerrero, commonly known locally as Egg Square.
The nickname comes from the large egg-shaped sculptures that once made the square instantly recognisable.
There are a few bars and restaurants around the plaza, ranging from traditional Spanish establishments to more modern venues.
One of the best-known restaurants is La Palma, a traditional restaurant that I have been visiting since I first started coming to Estepona around 20 years ago. It serves a mixture of fish, meat and classic Spanish dishes.
A little further up Calle Terraza is Carambola, a Venezuelan café and restaurant serving arepas, empanadas and other Venezuelan food. It usually has a lively, friendly atmosphere.
Walk through the flower-filled streets
You do not need to spend the entire evening eating and drinking.
One of the best things to do in Estepona Old Town is simply wander through its narrow streets and see where they take you.
Calle San Antonio is one of the most attractive streets to begin with. Like many streets in the historic centre, it is decorated with colourful flowerpots and lined with traditional white buildings.
Most of these smaller streets are residential, so there are fewer restaurants and bars, but that is part of their appeal. They offer a quieter contrast to the busy plazas and restaurant streets nearby.
The old town feels very safe to explore, including later in the evening, although normal precautions should still be taken.
Stopping for an ice cream is also an essential part of an evening in Estepona. There are plenty of ice cream shops around the centre, with Ambrosia being one of the most popular because of its large selection of flavours.
Calle Caridad
Calle Caridad is one of the main restaurant streets in Estepona Old Town.
It runs through the historic centre and contains a large selection of restaurants, many of which are aimed primarily at visitors.
There is still plenty of variety, however, including Spanish, Italian, Mexican and international food.
Restaurants on Calle Caridad
Oliva is one of the most popular restaurants on the street. It is operated by the same group behind La Bulla and is usually very busy during the summer.
El Galpón is another attractive option, offering high-quality food in a stylish setting. It is a little more expensive than some of the surrounding restaurants, but it is worth considering for a special meal.
El Cortijo is known particularly for meat dishes, while Tipico Andaluz offers traditional Andalusian food.
Los Agaves is one of Estepona’s Mexican restaurants, serving tacos, ceviche and other traditional dishes.
Towards the end of the street is Alma de Miguel, previously known simply as Miguel. It is a large and popular restaurant with fresh fish and a slightly more formal atmosphere.
Restaurants along Calle Caridad become extremely busy during July and August, so booking is strongly recommended.
Plaza Ortiz
Plaza Ortiz is one of my favourite squares in Estepona.
It has a lovely fountain, plenty of outdoor seating and a lively atmosphere throughout the evening. It is also only a few steps from the beach.
There is a strong selection of restaurants surrounding the square.
Chanchalay is known for its burgers, while Da Marco has long been one of the town’s better-known pizza restaurants.
Sur is a good choice for steak and Argentinian-style food.
La Bulla is one of my personal favourites and is especially suitable for a special occasion. The food and service are consistently good, but you should reserve a table.
Tolone, on the edge of the square, is more of a café and bar than a full restaurant. It is a pleasant place to stop for coffee, beer or a simple snack while enjoying the plaza.
Plaza Ortiz is also sometimes called the square with the Thinking Woman because of the sculpture.
Calle Real
Calle Real runs from Plaza Ortiz back towards Avenida Juan Carlos I.
Like Calle Caridad, it contains a large number of restaurants and bars and usually has a lively atmosphere in the evening.
Italian and international restaurants
Italian food is particularly well represented on Calle Real.
Options include Da Marco, La Sibilla, El Rincón Toscano and Pavarotti. La Sibilla also offers gluten-free pizza, making it a useful option for people with dietary requirements.
The Grill House specialises in steaks, burgers and grilled meat, while Sabor Rumano offers Romanian food at good prices. During the day, its menú del día is particularly good value.
Mexa is another Mexican option, although I personally prefer Los Agaves or Tacos & Tequila for a more traditional Mexican meal.
Bars on Calle Real
Bar Manila is a popular choice and hosts an open-mic evening once a month.
Bar Sam Sam is especially popular with Estepona’s international community and is known for its friendly atmosphere.
Reinaldo’s is another lively bar, particularly if you are looking for drinks rather than a meal.
Rick’s is a good place to watch football and other sporting events, while Casa Paco is one of the newer additions to the street.
Mumu
Mumu is an Argentinian restaurant with a proper charcoal grill.
The steak I ate there was one of the best I have had in Estepona, making it an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys grilled meat.
Casa Telegram and Casa Wild
Casa Telégrafo Is a new place by the same people behind La Cozzeria. It looks good but i’ve not tried it yet!
Casa Wild offers something a little different. Its menu includes organic food, vegetarian dishes and some excellent ceviche.
Calle Santa Ana and the Mercado
After walking through Plaza de las Flores again, head uphill towards Calle Santa Ana.
Close to the plaza is La Tarantella, a popular Italian restaurant operated by the same group behind La Bulla. It has a more upmarket feel and is often busy.
You will also pass the Mercado de Abastos, Estepona’s renovated indoor market.
The market contains several different kitchens operating within the same space. This means people at one table can order food from different restaurants, making it useful for groups who cannot agree on what they want to eat.
There is seating both inside and outside.
Further along Calle Santa Ana is Vinoteca Vintisiete, a good option for wine and cheese if you prefer something lighter than a full restaurant meal.
Finish the evening at Bardo
My final stop was Bardo, a tapas bar and restaurant on Calle Santa Ana.
The venue has an attractive outdoor area and regularly hosts DJs or live flamenco performances. It can therefore be a little noisy, but it is an enjoyable place for drinks, tapas and music.
I finished my evening there with a beer and some food.
It was the perfect end to a long walk through Estepona, although the places covered in this guide only scratch the surface of what the town has to offer.
Planning an evening in Estepona
A simple route for your evening could be:
- Begin with a walk along the Paseo Marítimo.
- Stop for seafood at a chiringuito.
- Walk up to Plaza de las Flores for a drink.
- Explore Plaza Doctor Arce and Egg Square.
- Wander through the flower-filled old town streets.
- Choose a restaurant on Calle Caridad or in Plaza Ortiz.
- Finish with drinks or tapas around Calle Real or Calle Santa Ana.
During July and August, try to reserve restaurants in advance, especially if there is a particular place you want to visit.
You should also allow plenty of time simply to walk around. The best evenings in Estepona are not always carefully planned. Sometimes it is better to wander through the streets, follow the atmosphere and see where you end up.
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