Coto Restaurante — Restaurant in Benahavís

Dining at Coto Restaurante is as much about the experience as it is about the food. From the moment you drive into the elegant parking lot and step into the refined space, the restaurant impresses with its sense of luxury. The atmosphere is calm and composed, enriched with soft background music, tasteful artworks, and a terrace with a beautiful view. Coto immediately conveys the feeling of exclusivity and sophistication, creating high expectations for the evening ahead.

What we ordered:

Coto House Salad with Toasted Almonds & Crispy Parmesan – 10/10: Fresh, generous, and beautifully balanced. Excellent sauce and premium ingredients made this one of the highlights of the meal. Braised Oxtail Croquettes with Tomato & Chilli Jam – 10/10: Perfectly executed; crispy outside, rich filling, and a delicious sweet-spicy jam. Elegant garnish added finesse.

Asparagus & Saffron Risotto – 7/10: Well-presented but somewhat monotonous in flavor. Neither saffron nor asparagus stood out strongly. The fried cheese was overpoweringly salty and clashed with the dish. A simple touch of grated parmesan would have worked better. Fried asparagus on the side was, however, excellent. 300g Entrecôte (Signature Beef Dish) – 6.5/10: Disappointing for a house specialty. The cut had excessive fat and a thick edge. Cooked slightly beyond medium-rare, it lacked juiciness and seasoning. At this price point, the quality-to-value ratio fell short.

Sautéed Seasonal Vegetables (Side) – 8/10: Nicely done, fresh and flavorful, lightly cooked without excess fat. Peppercorn Sauce – 5/10: Harsh and bitter, it didn’t complement the beef and felt out of place with the dish.

“Choc, Choc & Choc” Dessert – 10/10: A superb finale. Beautifully plated with fresh fruits, an indulgent lava cake, and a scoop of high-quality vanilla ice cream. Memorable both in taste and presentation.

Bill for 2: €121.10

Ratings (VELARIS Rating System):

Food & Drink: 8.6/10 (Excellent) Service: 8.8/10 (Excellent) Hospitality: 9.0/10 (Outstanding) Ambience: 10.0/10 (Exceptional) Cleanliness & Hygiene: 10.0/10 (Exceptional)

Highlights & Strengths:

Ambience & Setting: Luxurious from start to finish – elegant dining room, calm music, artworks, and a terrace with a lovely view. Hospitality: Chef patron and owner Clive Rogers personally greeted guests at the end of service, introducing himself and asking for feedback. This gesture left a lasting positive impression and reflected genuine care. Presentation: Stylish menus and beautifully plated dishes aligned with the restaurant’s elegant identity. Star Dishes: The House Salad, Oxtail Croquettes, and “Choc, Choc & Choc” dessert were flawless in execution and flavor. Convenience: Free parking directly in front, easy accessibility. Cleanliness: Exemplary throughout, including restrooms.

Areas for Improvement:

Signature Entrecôte: Needs refinement. Better trimming, accurate cooking to requested doneness, and proper seasoning are crucial for a dish presented as the restaurant’s signature. Risotto Balance: More depth of flavor and a lighter cheese accompaniment would elevate this dish. Sauces: The peppercorn sauce was not on par with the rest of the menu – smoother flavor integration would help. Guest Engagement: While service was polite and professional, recommendations or an introduction to the chef’s specials and daily menu would add value and enrich the dining journey.

Final Impression:

Coto Restaurante is, without doubt, a destination restaurant. The elegant setting, outstanding hospitality, and certain standout dishes make it a memorable place to dine. While not every plate lived up to the luxurious environment, the highs were excellent enough to outweigh the few shortcomings. The personal presence of the owner, attention to detail, and refined ambience secure Coto’s place among the most exclusive dining experiences in Marbella.

Overall Score: 9.1/10 – Outstanding

Velaris...

My recent visit to Coto Restaurante was an exceptionally positive experience. From the moment we walked through the door to the time we left, everything from the food to the service and the ambiance was outstanding.

We started our evening with a Pisco sour and a Mojito. The pisco sour was perfectly balanced with a nice tangy flavor, while the Mojito was refreshing and expertly made.

For appetizers, we chose the seasonal soup of the day, which that day was a wonderfull and flavorful onion soup, and the smoked salmon, which was smoky and delicate with perfect texture. Both appetizers set a high standard for what was to follow.

For the main course, we had the beef fillet & sauté foie gras and the slow roasted short ribs. The beef fillet was tender and flavorful, and the combination with foie gras was truly a highlight. The ribs were slow-roasted to perfection, with a juiciness and deep flavor that truly impressed.

To finish off this fantastic meal, we had homemade ice cream for dessert. The ice cream was creamy, with a clear and natural flavor that felt truly luxurious.

The service was consistently attentive and professional, with staff who were both knowledgeable and friendly. The restaurant’s ambiance was also inviting and elegant, contributing to a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

In summary, our visit to Coto Restaurante was a wonderful experience. We are already looking forward to our next visit and highly recommend this place to anyone seeking a delicious dining experience in a...

Coto ....... What a pleasure it was to dine with you on Saturday. We live down the road from you and this is the first time we have dined with you (I cant believe it has taken us this long to find you) From the minute we parked we were blown away by the look and location of your restaurant, then to walk inside and see your incredible wine cellar and inside décor all the way to your outside décor, it was all amazing. We sat outside and had a lovely view while we waited for the most beautiful cocktails, hats off to your mixologist they not only looked out of this world they tasted out of this world. When the waiters came over to take our order the passion behind their presentation was on point they went into depth about the menu and recommendations. Then when the food came out......... INCREDIBLE! I cant even explain how good the food was, the presentation, the taste the quantity of food it was all just perfect. Massive shout out to Andrew, he always checked we had everything we needed, he recommended the wines to us and the dessert (lemon cheesecake - best thing I have ever tasted) He was so friendly and so helpful so big thank you to him. Was also lovely that the Chef / Owner came out to introduce him self and to check how the food was, it really was a lovely touch. The whole evening was fantastic and I will be recommending Coto to friends and family and also will be returning. Thank you so much to...