Malaga - tapas bar that's not a tourist trap?

[Hereallweek]

I'm off to Southern Spain in a few weeks, starting with an overnight in Malaga. I'm doing a bit of research to see where might be good for a tapas-y dinner and nearly everywhere in the Centro has terrible TripAdvisor reviews and/or a reputation as a ripoff tourist trap.

I know to steer well clear of cafes, bars and restaurants near the market, but does anyone have a good recommendation for somewhere in the Centro please for a tapas grazing evening for two middle-aged women who speak just enough Spanish to order food.

I know it's cultural to sit at the bar and move venues between plates, but we've got so much catching up to do we'd rather get a table and settle in. Thanks!

Now I think of it, if anyone could recommend somewhere in the southern bit of Centro for a lightish casual lunch that would be much appreciated too.

Chringuita LaMoraga is on the beach front. Lovely and clean and really nice food. Many of the locals go there. It's a 10 minute walk from the metro station which you can use from the airport

Meson de Cervantes, it's on a backstreet. Really good, need to book.

DD is living there this year and recommends La Tasquita de en Medio as cheap, tasty and where the locals go. Lovely staff too. I love Malaga - have fun!

We enjoyed La Farola de Orellana enough to go there twice. Food was delicious but it’s busy so if you want a table in the evening get there for when it opens at 8pm.

Thanks everyone, that's really useful x

We went to a place called Kraken which apparently had good reviews and my husband really rated - but I was rather underwhelmed. Perhaps it is down to individual choice of dishes .

Where are you off to after Malaga OP?

I wouldn’t necessarily avoid the market, there are a couple of excellent fresh fish and seafood places in the actual market, and a second vote for La Farola de Orellana- delicious, authentic but busy! Also worth visiting bodega Pimpi, it’s very touristy now but beautiful inside and nice to sit on the terrace with a drink and people watch. Everywhere will be incredibly busy as it’s semana santa!

Activity holiday a couple of hours up the coast. With flight times it makes more sense to travel a day early.

Walk along the seafront to the Bullring area Malagueta. The locals eat there and there are quite a few non touristy restaurants. A couple of year’s ago I went to Malaga with a girlfriend, we’re similar age to you. We found a lovely restaurant called El Refectorium Malagueta in Calla Cervantes Road.

You should look up the Spain food sherpas in Malaga. Excellent wine and tapas tour.
My brother runs a business in Malaga and they use and recommend this company. I've done the trip twice and highly recommend it!!

And one more excellent place is Dynamit - it's a European fusion but just a lovely place fantastic service really fun and perfect for a girls supper ! V walkable

Try Meson Mariano and Cortijo de Pepe