Matthieu Jouve, director of Food & Beverages for La Reserva Club and The Beach, shares his love of Andalucia’s terrace restaurants with a list of his favourite outdoor spots in the area for eating or simply having a drink with fabulous views.
Outdoor terraces are sun-drenched havens, often beneath a glorious canopy of brilliant bougainvillea and twinkling fairy lights, or dappled sunlight peeping through a rustic cane roof. These magical spaces are an Andalusian tradition, inviting you to linger over delicious tapas and excellent local wines. Whether overlooking a beach – Mediterranean or Atlantic – a buzzing marina, or a lively plaza, they offer a perfect blend of warmth, charm, and relaxation. A great place to enjoy quality time with friends and family, these terraces create unforgettable moments in a truly enchanting setting.
Matthieu Jouve grew up in Marseille and after working in hospitality, marketing and business development in the south of France, Matthieu moved to Madrid with high school friend, French restaurateur and star of Netflix series The Final Table Benjamin Bensoussan. They worked in various restaurants together before Matthieu was offered the position as F&B Manager at the prestigious Azotea Group. Later, Matthieu and his wife wanted to live by the sea, an opportunity arose with the Azotea Group in San Roque.
Matthieu told us: “People just love terrace bars, cafes and restaurants because they like being outside, they like the view, and they like being close to the sea and nature. We go to terraces for breakfast, lunch and dinner”.
Most of the terraces in the list below have sea views. What is it about the view that draws us in? Perhaps it is the vastness and mystery of the ocean, a symbol of infinite possibilities and uncharted territories. Looking out to the horizon, where the sky meets the sea, inspires a sense of wonder and contemplation. And who can resist a glorious sunset?
CUARTEL DEL MAR, Chiclana de la Frontera
Cuartel del Mar is a former Guardia Civil barracks that has been beautifully transformed into an elegant restaurant. The highlight is the rooftop terrace overlooking the southern section of the beautiful, expansive Playa de la Barrosa and, in the distance, Sancti Petri island with its castle.
The restaurant offers a refined yet relaxed atmosphere — perfect for savouring exquisite cuisine while watching the endlessly absorbing seascape. Local dishes worth trying include chicharrones (fried pork rind), tuna tartare, and rice with red shrimp. Try a Tierra de Agaves cocktail or a Passion and Ginger Mojito.
Sitting atop the old barracks overlooking the Atlantic is an unforgettable spot to enjoy summer sunsets.
VALHALLA GASTRO BEACH CLUB, El Palmar
If you haven’t been to El Palmar for a while, you will notice the vibe of this Cadiz Costa de la Luz beach town is gradually changing. The relaxed surfers’ bars were joined in 2023 by the Ibiza-esque Valhalla Gastro Beach Club.
With a central pool surrounded by Balinese loungers and a rooftop bar specializing in cocktails, Valhalla is the perfect gathering spot to enjoy the sea breeze and a fresh, simple culinary experience. Fuego restaurant serves simple, tasty dishes such as gazpacho soup or salad of Conil tomatoes, squid and pork tenderloin. Season Opening Date: 15 May
PURO ESTRECHO, Getares, Algeciras.
As you drive up to Puro Estrecho, located west of Punta Carnero, it feels as if you’re at the end of the world. From Getares, you climb up the headland past the historic 1874 Punto Carnero lighthouse, then the road gets narrower until finally you arrive at the restaurant.
Puro Estrecho is a hidden gem where guests are often welcomed personally by founder José Maria Alba Cabriada. The restaurant, which celebrates its tenth anniversary on Easter Thursday this year (2025), has a dining and lounging terrace for both winter (glassed in) and summer, and garden with swimming pool which enjoys views over the Strait of Gibraltar (hence the name) to Africa.
The varied menu is excellent with dishes such as seabass with pipirrana salad, and Galician-style octopus. For dessert, chocolate lovers cannot resist the tarta de La Abuela Dolores made from the traditional Maria biscuits, custard, and white and dark chocolate, drenched in a hot chocolate sauce.
EL MIRLO, Punta Paloma, Tarifa
The mythical El Mirlo restaurant is located in rural Baja Paloma hamlet on Punta Paloma, north of Tarifa. Look out for the nearby new lighthouse, opened in 2020, featuring a sleek, cylindrical design.
After the original family-run restaurant closed its doors during the pandemic, El Mirlo was reopened in 2023 by Santiago Guerrero, executive chef of the Marbella Club hotel, and now serves Mediterranean dishes with a sophisticated touch, in a relaxed atmosphere. The terrace overlooks the gardens and forest down to Punta Paloma beach itself. Fish and seafood dishes – such as ceviche, langoustine, clams, marinaded bluefin tuna ribs, as well as creamy red prawn rice – command the menu. The house cocktail is El Canto de El Mirlo. Opens for season 23rd May 2025.
LA ANCALA, The Beach, La Reserva, Sotogrande
La Ancala restaurant at The Beach in La Reserva Club has a delightful boardwalk terrace overlooking the watersports lagoon. This amply-sized terrace lends a nautical feel and the gentle breezes on hot summer days are welcome. The feel is elegant and sophisticated, as you’d expect from La Reserva Club.
The restaurant is particularly known for its Andalucian and Nikkei fusion cuisine, including paella and rice dishes by Executive Chef Alberto Sarmiento, such as the new tuna paella (see page xx for our interview with Alberto, along with the recipe).
Open for lunch in spring, Wednesday through Sunday, and daily in July and August. A sunbed reservation is not required to dine there.
MARXA CHIRINGUITO, SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort Hotel
Marxa Chiringuito is one of the main summer dining venues at SO/ Sotogrande Hotel, which focuses on a modern and vibrant culinary experience and is known for its lively atmosphere. Marxa Chiringuito, with a contemporary style, is located by the pool and benefits from the stunning setting and views. Marxa has a beautiful terrace where guests can dine al fresco. Savour the authentic flavours of grilled espetos (sardines charcoal-grilled on a stick, a typical Malaga dish), crisp calamari (squid), traditional paellas, and gourmet burgers.
MAR SANA, Hotel Milla de Plata, Torrequadiaro, San Roque
This spectacular terrace at Hotel Boutique Milla de Plata holds a unique, privileged position: perched on the cliff top looking out to sea. When the hotel, located between Cala Sardina and Urbanizacion Punta Europa, was refurbished and reopened in 2011, the terrace restaurant was given centre stage.
Hotel guests and visitors alike are entranced by the views, which extend a full 180 degrees from the Torreguadiaro towers to the south, through Sotogrande Marina, and Gibraltar all the way round to Punta Chullera to the northeast. Mar Sana restaurant is open for lunch and dinner except Tuesday, and the menu embraces everything from Caesar salad to clams, black pudding, and uramaki rolls. Before dining, classic cocktails like mojitos and daiquiris are the order of the day. Sunday afternoons are popular with younger guests as the resident DJ plays tunes until 7pm.
CIELO SKYBAR, Estepona
Cielo Skybar is located on the 12th floor and rooftop of the Mirador del Carmen tower on the Estepona seafront, near the lighthouse. This bijou bar is reached via the elevator entrance on the pedestrianised Avenida del Carmen. Its open-air (unshaded) upper terrace enjoys panoramic views, and is ideal for summer evenings or early spring days. There is even a small observation deck with telescope, offering the unusual opportunity to look down on the lighthouse.
The entrance fee is 3€ per person, paid at the reception on the ground floor, and then deducted from any purchases.
Cielo Skybar offers morning coffee and toast, and beer, wine and cocktails in the evening, as well as typical snacks such as cold meat and cheese platters. An indoor gastro bar, Cielo Room, serves full dining options, including tasting menus.
The capacity is limited to 40 people in the Cielo Skybar and 15 people on the upper viewing terrace. The Cielo Sky Bar is open daily from 09.00.
MAKAKO AND BERMEJA VIEWS, Hotel El Pilar Andalucia, Estepona
Makako/Bermeja Views is the only terrace on our list that doesn’t offer sea views; while close to the beach, their location is within the old town. However, this multi-level space offers vistas of floral delights instead, as the terrace overlooks Estepona’s delightful bloom-filled Plaza de las Flores and across the town’s rooftops, with Sierra Bermeja mountain as a spectacular backdrop.
Makako restaurant is reached via the elevator in the Hotel El Pilar Andalucia lobby, and specialises in Southeast Asian fusion cuisine.
On the top floor is 36-5º Bermeja Views – the bar is so-named for its superb panoramic vistas, including of Estepona’s mountain. You’ll find a romantic, atmospheric area next to a pretty, tiled dome with climbing plants, where numerous hidden corners are ideal for intimate moments. The menu is an edited version of Makako’s, concentrating on sharing plates such as mini wagyu burgers, chicken curry croquettes, and almadraba tuna on wonton toast, plus a selection of sushi, as well as cocktails such as Té Oloroso (Oloroso sherry, sweet vermouth, Chartreuse, absinthe and apple).