Before diving in, I want to emphasise that these recommendations are based purely on my personal experiences. The Costa del Sol has so much to offer, and while these are the spots I would personally recommend, there are countless other places worth exploring.
As someone who loves discovering new places, over the past couple of years I’ve found myself becoming increasingly hesitant to be adventurous due to concerns about finding safe dining options. While I don’t mind packing a picnic and heading out for the day, there are times when I want to explore freely and indulge in a nice lunch or snack without worrying about the consequences.
The recommendations that follow are based on my own experiences, with most of them discovered through trusted recommendations or frantic, hungry Googling.
There are plenty of reviews available on sites like FindMeGlutenFree, various gluten-free or travel blogs, and there’s even find a map highlighting gluten-friendly options across southern Spain and beyond.
Malaga
Taberna La Malagueña – Malaga
My best friend and I stumbled upon this place by chance, having just driven to Malaga from Gibraltar on our way to join a hen party.
I’d sneakily directed us towards the cathedral, planning to stop by Yummy Heladería after lunch, and we found ourselves in Plaza Obispo, with a few different options.
We browsed each of the menus, and they were pretty similar (I always scan the menu looking for guaranteed ‘safe’ options, like tuna or chicken salad), so we opted for Taberna La Malagueña mostly on the basis that we could grab a table at the front, with gorgeous views of the cathedral.
After confirming with the waiter that my meal would contain no gluten, I felt confident that I could eat safely. When taking our order, he also emphasised that I couldn’t share my friend’s food—which was obviously fine, but it was helpful for him to point it out. (If you’re familiar with tapas, you’ll know that sharing dishes is a big thing in Spain.)
I went for the garden salad (ensalada de la huerta), with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocado, corn onion, beetroot, olives, palm heart, quail’s egg and tuna belly. Who says salads have to be boring? The salad was delicious, made with fresh, local ingredients, as were my friend’s fried fish and patatas bravas. It was the perfect start to our weekend.
Sometimes when you’re eating out on the fly you feel like you only have one option; or that you’re being difficult, or even dramatic when you’re nervous about eating somewhere new.
Although my choices were limited, the food was good quality, and I felt safe eating it. Sunshine, a nice salad, and a beautiful view – what more could you ask for?
Recommended for:
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
Yummy Helados – Malaga
Now, onto the real reason I’d steered us through the old town, past a hundred other lunch options: Yummy Helados. I try to visit this ice cream shop whenever I get the chance.
Around the corner from Plaza Obispo on Calle Molina Lario, Yummy offers a range of gluten-free (and dairy-free) products, including cakes, desserts, and ice cream.
This includes gluten-free ice cream cones and two separate freezers—one for dairy ice cream and another (with separate tools) for coconut milk-based ice cream. Everything here is gluten-free.
How good is it? The first time I visited Yummy, after finding it online, I was skeptical. The ice cream and cone tasted so good that I thought I’d get sick later.
Long story short—I felt absolutely fine, and this shop quickly became a favourite and a must-visit every time I’m in Malaga.
I tend to go for flavours like Kinder Bueno and chocolate, and I’ve never been disappointed. I always indulge in two big scoops because it’s such a novelty to find an ice cream parlor that caters to both my gluten-free and lactose-free needs. Luckily, Malaga’s beautiful city center is perfect for a post-ice-cream stroll! to ward off a sugar crash!
Recommended for:
- A sweet treat
Pampa Grill – Malaga
When I first visited Malaga after going gluten-free, I was worried about navigating restaurant menus. We went to see the Christmas lights about six weeks after I cut gluten from my diet, and I quickly learned I needed to plan ahead, scout menus, and make reservations to ensure an enjoyable, safe meal.
I’m very lucky that my partner (now husband) and parents are extremely laid-back—they’ll eat pretty much anything and are happy for me to lead the way.
I researched gluten-free options in Malaga, and found a few recommendations for Pampa Grill – just a two-minute walk from Yummy.
Why is it that all my favourite places are within a 200 metre radius? I don’t know what the correlation is, but I’m not complaining…
Pampa Grill was the perfect cosy setting on a cold evening, and the waiting staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to advise on what I could or couldn’t eat from the menu. Sitting close to the grill, it was hard to resist and the whole family went for steaks, of differing cuts and sizes.
The steaks were high-quality, perfectly cooked, and the sides were delicious and generously portioned. This was another restaurant where I immediately felt at ease, comfortable in the knowledge that my dietary needs would be taken care of.
Recommended for:
- Dinner
- Special occasions (book ahead for large groups)
Marbella
Celicioso – Marbella
Less than a month after I’d be told to cut gluten out of my diet, we had a few days in Madrid booked, and it just happened that the hotel we’d booked months earlier was next-door to the city’s most famous gluten-free bakery – Celicioso!
In just five days, we racked up at least the same number of visits, each time sampling different items from the menu and thinking that gluten-free life wouldn’t be so bad after all.
To my delight, I found that there is another branch of the wonderful Celicioso just up the coast, in Marbella. And so we returned to where my love of gluten-free baked goods began!
The only downside to the Marbella location is that, being part of the Hotel Puente Romano, we found it all but impossible to park. With my dad at the wheel getting increasingly exasperated as we drove in circles around the hotel, I had to hop out, dash in, make a quick decision and hot foot it back to the car, goods secured in a cardboard box, before hitting the road once more. There was no chance to sit in and enjoy a coffee and a slice of cake, but such is life!
We picked up a couple of slices of cake, including the chocolate and raspberry that had been a firm favourite in Madrid, and I’m happy to report that the prices were more or less the same (you never can be sure in a place like Marbella). The cakes made it home safely and were savoured with a coffee – the quality and taste were EXACTLY as we remembered from our stay in Madrid.
I would love to go back, but we would definitely plan it better, find some place to park a short walk away and remove a lot of the stress. Trying to find parking on the fly, with crazy traffic and a car full of people was not the relaxing cake-stop I hoped for – but better planning next time should make for a smoother, more relaxing experience!
Recommended for:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- A sweet treat
Estepona
Wild – Estepona
Slightly closer to home, Estepona is home to what is possibly my favourite restaurant ever. Anywhere. Yes, you read that right and I’m not exaggerating.
Wild calls itself a ‘flexitarian eatery’, offering a wide range of options for every taste. The menu is absolute perfection for someone with tricky dietary requirements – they have a clearly labelled menu, of which a huge proportion is gluten-friendly; the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and happy to answer questions about the food; and the food is outstanding. I’ve honestly never had a less-than-perfect meal here.
For breakfast, their ‘Wild Stack’ pancakes (add on vegan nutella for an extra-indulgent brunch), and savoury ‘Wilderness Waffle’, with avocado, sprouts and pear sweet-chilli sauce are both fantastic. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
After 13:00, they switch to their lunch menu. My favorite dish is Earth Wind and Falafel—crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, served on a delicious salad with kale, buckwheat tabbouleh, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled onions, and tahini dressing. Other highlights include the mushroom burger, tacos, and arepa — but save room for dessert!
There are a few options for the gluten-free diner, but vegan brownie with cremino ice cream is my go-to, but the a-bocados with avocado ice cream are also delicious. Sadly, the lemon tart is no longer gluten-free.
Wild’s combination of great food, excellent coffee, and a relaxed, bohemian atmosphere keeps me coming back—and I love bringing friends along so they can experience my favorite spot for themselves.
Recommended for:
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dessert
My Gluten-Free Kitchen 
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