The Costa del Sol has long been one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. For many visitors, it means beaches, sunshine and a relaxed pace of life. What is less widely known is that the Málaga province now holds ten Michelin stars – a record for the region – and that the restaurants within reach of Marbella represent some of the most ambitious fine dining in Spain.
This guide covers every Michelin-starred restaurant on the Costa del Sol for 2026, with practical information on what to expect and what makes each one worth the visit.
Why the Costa del Sol Has Become a Serious Food Destination
The transformation of Marbella’s food scene over the past decade has been significant. The area was once better known for beach clubs and international cuisine than for serious gastronomy. That has changed.
A combination of talented local chefs, access to exceptional regional produce, particularly fish and seafood from the Andalusian coast, and the growing demand from high-net-worth visitors has driven investment in fine dining across the region. The 2026 Michelin Guide Spain recognised this with a record haul for the province of Málaga, confirming the Costa del Sol’s place alongside Madrid, Barcelona and San Sebastián as one of Spain’s leading culinary regions.
The Michelin-Starred Restaurants of the Costa del Sol
Skina: Two Michelin Stars
Marbella
Skina is the most decorated restaurant on the Costa del Sol and one of the most celebrated in the whole of Spain. Founded by sommelier Marcos Granda and led in the kitchen by chef Mario Cachinero, it has held two Michelin stars since 2019.
The restaurant is intimate and sits just off the main boulevard in Marbella. The cooking is grounded in Andalusian produce and tradition, approached through precise, modern technique. There is no performance or spectacle to be found at Skina, just exceptional ingredients treated with complete confidence.
The wine list runs to nearly 3,000 references and is considered one of the finest in southern Spain. Three menu formats are available: an à la carte option, a seasonal tasting menu, and a grand tasting menu with full wine pairings.
Skina is the kind of restaurant that justifies planning a trip around. Reservations should be made well in advance, particularly during the peak season, between May and October.
Nintai: One Michelin Star
Marbella
Nintai is unlike anything else on the Costa del Sol. Created by Marcos Granda, the same sommelier behind Skina, it’s a Japanese omakase restaurant that seats just twelve guests around a wooden bar.
There is no fixed menu. The itamae (sushi master) works with whatever premium seasonal ingredients are considered finest that day, preparing a multi-course experience that changes entirely from one sitting to the next. The atmosphere is calm and almost silent, in keeping with the traditions of high-end Japanese dining.
Nintai earned its Michelin star in 2022 and has held it since. For visitors with a serious interest in Japanese cuisine, it is one of the best restaurants of its kind anywhere in Europe. Booking can require significant lead time – a waiting list is often in operation for peak dates.
Messina: One Michelin Star
Marbella
Messina has been part of Marbella’s dining scene since 2003 and has held its Michelin star for over a decade. Chef Mauricio Giovanini leads a kitchen focused on Mediterranean fish and seafood, drawing particularly on the coastal produce of Andalucía.
The style is polished and technically accomplished, the kind of restaurant that delivers a thoroughly satisfying fine dining experience without pushing towards the experimental. It’s an excellent choice for guests who want a reliable, high-quality evening in a setting that feels settled and confident rather than restless.
Back: One Michelin Star
Marbella
Back is the most contemporary of Marbella’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Chef David Olivas brings a bold creative energy to a menu that takes traditional Andalusian ingredients and approaches them from unexpected angles.
The atmosphere is slightly more relaxed than Skina or Messina, without any compromise in the quality of the cooking. Back is a strong option for diners who want ambition and creativity alongside their meal, and a setting that feels alive rather than reverential.
Sollo: One Michelin Star & Michelin Green Star
Fuengirola
Sollo is one of the most distinctive restaurants in Spain, let alone on the Costa del Sol. Chef Diego Gallegos, widely known as the Caviar Chef, has built an entire culinary philosophy around freshwater fish and sustainable aquaponics. Around ninety percent of the restaurant’s ingredients are produced on site through a dedicated R&D laboratory that raises fish and grows vegetables in a fully symbiotic environment.
The result is a tasting menu that feels completely unlike any other in the region – inventive, personal and rooted in a genuine commitment to how food is grown and sourced. Sollo holds both a Michelin star and a Michelin Green Star, the latter awarded specifically to restaurants demonstrating outstanding environmental practices.
Located at the Reserva del Higuerón resort, close to Fuengirola and Benalmádena, Sollo is around thirty minutes from Marbella by car – a straightforward journey that is well worth making for the experience.
Practical Information
When to book: All five restaurants require advance reservations. During summer, Skina and Nintai in particular can be fully booked weeks ahead. If fine dining is a priority during your trip, it is worth securing reservations before you travel.
What to expect: Most of these restaurants are structured around tasting menus lasting two to three hours. Plan the evening around the meal rather than fitting the meal into the evening.
Dietary requirements: Every restaurant will accommodate dietary requirements with sufficient advance notice. Communicate these at the time of booking.
Dress code: Smart dress is expected at all five restaurants. None enforce a strict formal code, but the level of the cooking warrants the effort.
Getting there: Marbella’s starred restaurants are concentrated in the town centre and the Golden Mile area. Sollo in Fuengirola is the only restaurant that requires a short drive along the coast. Private transfers can be arranged from most hotels and villas in the area.
Beyond the Stars
The Michelin-starred restaurants represent the top of a wider fine dining ecosystem that has developed across the Costa del Sol. The area also has a strong selection of Bib Gourmand listings – Michelin’s recognition for excellent food at more accessible prices – alongside a growing number of independent restaurants producing serious, ingredient-led cooking without the formality of a full tasting menu.
For visitors spending a week or more in the area, it is entirely possible to eat exceptionally well every evening without repeating a style or cuisine.
Planning a Stay in Marbella
A great meal is only part of the experience. Where you stay determines the rest of it.
The Sanctuary Marbella is a private luxury villa set in the hills close to Villa Padierna, Benahavís – one of the most secluded and prestigious residential addresses on the Costa del Sol. The property sits ten minutes from Marbella and twenty minutes from Puerto Banús, putting every restaurant in this guide within easy reach by car.
The property is available for holiday rentals, large groups, corporate retreats, wellness stays and private events. If you are planning a trip to the Costa del Sol – built around the food, the weather, the outdoor life, or simply the pleasure of being somewhere exceptional – we would be glad to hear from you.
