Sunday Lunch at LA PLAYA FANTASTICA

Saturdays and Sundays are lazy days for us. We usually go out for breakfast, buy the weekend papers and go back home to sit on the terrace and read. Saturday was spent that way. Sunday, on the other hand, was bright and sunny so we decided to go to our favorite chiringuito (beach restaurant) for an early lunch.

There are so many chiringuitos up and down the coast and everyone has their favorite but we love La Playa Fantastica because it's on a quiet part of the beach in Marbella and serves fantastic fresh fish. We were regulars here last summer and spent almost every weekend in June and July renting a sun lounger underneath these straw umbrellas and lazing away the whole day. The nice thing about this beach is that it's patronized by local families who live nearby and isn't one of those chiringuitos where the food is mediocre and the price and atmosphere cater to tourists.

Eating al fresco with one's feet in the sand just can't be beat. Playa Fantastica's rustic chic design - from it's fish-shaped chopping board menus to the pots of basil on each table - has been well though of. We ordered immediately to beat the lunch rush- tortilla de patatas (Spanish potato omelette) with a tomato and onion salad. The tortilla was what the French call baveuse (gooey and wet) and was sweetened with onions caramelized onions complementing the sliced potatoes. This was followed by grilled squid and prawns that were so fresh we ate them with just a bit of lemon. By the time we left at around half past three, the place was packed.

Playa Fantastica isn't cheap but it's worth it - the food is good, the service quick, the atmosphere relaxed and the frontline beach setting is super. Now that the good weather is finally here, we'll probably be at the beach every weekend.

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Chiringuito Playa Fantastica

Urb. Rio Verde Playa Las Cuchis

Marbella 29600
(Exit Rio Verde - Villa Romana)
Tel. +34 952 773 810
Opening hours from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm

Closed from October to Easter

**** Food (Stick to grilled fresh fish and simple salads, don't miss the excellent tortilla)

*** Service (Friendly and efficient although when it's packed, expect to wait)

*** Atmosphere (Rustic beach hut chic)

Tip: Come early, sunbathe on one of their loungers (3 euros each from Easter till June or 7 euros each during the summer) then book a table for around 1:30 before the lunch rush.