Eating in Nerja

 I was sitting on a terrace in town again recently, and you just see it: Nerja has really caught up in terms of food over the last few years. It used to be mostly standard tapas or tourist traps, but now you find a surprising mix of cuisines here. And not just the 'standard' Italian or Chinese, though they're fine too. I usually pay attention to what the Spanish themselves like. ### Fresh fish and traditional tapas If you're in Nerja, you really should eat fresh fish. It's almost a given. Especially along the coast, at the chiringuitos, but also in the small streets in the center you still find places where it's simply good. I always look for places where the locals sit, usually a sign that it's good and affordable. Bar El Pulguilla, in Calle Almirante Ferrándiz, is one of those places. Always busy, and they understand the concept of fresh fish and seafood. You see what you're getting, simple, and that's what I want.  Mesón Antonio, also on that street, serves traditional Andalusian dishes. No fuss. Just the classics as they should be. Think fried eggplants with honey, or a good salmorejo. Don't expect long menus with fifty options here, but a few, well-executed dishes. The prices are still reasonable too, which is nice, especially if you eat out often like I do. A bit further down, in the same part of the center, there's also Restaurante Oliva. That's a bit more modern perhaps, but the quality is consistently high there. I wouldn't hesitate to take their suggestions of the day. That's often just a bit different from the regular menu and always a hit. Pretty good, especially if you want to try something different from what you find everywhere else. ### Tasting international flavors Over the years, Nerja has built up a surprising list of international restaurants. Besides the well-known Italian and Chinese options, there are also Indian restaurants you can try. If you like curry, you're in the right place here. I had my doubts at first, because how good can an Indian restaurant be so far from home? But it's not bad, honestly.  India Gate Tandoori is one of the most popular here. It's on Calle Pintada 51, right in the center. Their tandoori dishes are their specialty; they come from a real clay oven. The tikka masala or the lamb rogan josh are very good there. The staff are friendly and it's almost always pleasantly busy. Another good option is Jewel of India, on Calle Antonio Millón 14, right near Plaza Tutti Frutti. They mainly have North Indian dishes here, like butter chicken and lamb vindaloo. I've had perfectly good meals there, just as good as in most Indian restaurants in the Netherlands. Besides Indian cuisine, there are also Thai and Japanese restaurants. For Thai food, you can go to Thai Corner, and for sushi, Nakama is a good option. Sometimes you just fancy something other than Spanish cuisine, and then it's nice that you have such a wide choice here. That also makes life here fun, that you don't always have to eat the same thing. ### Italian favorites in Nerja If you love Italian food, you'll certainly get your fill here. There are a few places that stand out. Pinocchio and Da Mauro are well-known names, they've been around for ages and are always good. But there's one place I really want to recommend if you fancy truly good Italian.  LA BOTTEGA FOOD & WINE, on Calle Castilla Pérez 21C, is a family business and they get incredibly good reviews. I ate there once, and it felt like an evening in Italy. They have an extensive wine list and the Italian-Mediterranean dishes are really worth it. If you get the chance, try their pasta carbonara or the lasagna. Everything's fresh and you can taste the care that's gone into it. You do need to reserve, because it can get pretty busy, especially in season. What I like about places like this is that they're consistent. You know you're in good hands. Whether you fancy pizza or an elaborate pasta meal, you can go there. It might take a bit of finding, because it's not directly on one of the main streets, but it's worth the small detour. That's often the case with the best places, you just have to know how to find them. ### New hotspots and beach bars Nerja keeps developing, and you see that in the restaurant scene too. New concepts keep popping up, and that's good for variety. LaMalaka is one such new place, opened directly on the Balcón de Europa. It's a trendy beach complex with three different concepts, including LaSala for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I haven't been there extensively yet, but the first impressions are good.  Just do it. You won't regret it.