Aquarium Restaurante — Restaurant in Benalmádena

A Hidden Gem! Us two little introverts were looking for a treat for dinner in the vacinity of the marina. However most of the restaurants in the area were a touch on the rowdy side for us, either the patrons or the grabby "Come eat here!" tourist snatchers. We saw this place had great reviews so thought we'd walk round to the quieter side of the marina. We walked in and were greeted as normal people rather than tourists. The ambiance was relaxing, the music at conversation level, and the aroma wafting from the kitchen divine. We were served our drinks by a friendly gent who we presumed was the owner. We didn't feel rushed to choose our meal. We decided we were going to have the rib eye steak (a sharing dish), but were informed that due to only received the meat that day it hadn't had amble time to rest and be prepared. A lot of places would have just cobbled together something or served the meal regardless even if this meant the quality was reduced. We were impressed by the honesty and obvious commitment to quality rather than a quick sale. There were plenty of other choices for a couple of hungry carnivores so it didn't take us long to pick something else. In this case we both opted for the chargrilled kebab, one with Chicken & Tzatziki and the other with Pork, Beef & Chicken with a Cheese Sauce & Cherry Sauce, both served with Chargrilled Vegetables, Potatoes and Pitta Bread. The meal was phenomenal! Imagine your local kebab shop hired a Michelin star chef for the month, that wouldnt even come close! The meat was cooked to perfection, the vegetables nicely charred without being burned, the sauces beautiful, even the pitta bread was out off this world. During our visit we chatted with a lovely couple who lived locally as well as a visiting lady from the Netherlands. We all were in agreement that this little out-of-the-way restaurant is nigh impossible to beat. No boisterous hen parties, no drunken folk getting lagered up before the Man City match, no one trying to drag you inside. Just exceptional food, a peaceful atmosphere, excellent service and somewhere enjoyed by the locals as well as the tourists. I would give you 6 stars if I could!

Oh and we will be back tomorrow for our Rib Eye 😀

Well, we came back again last night and again the food was delicious! A tasty juicy rib eye to share, with morello cherry sauce. The steak was beautiful on its own but the sauce just finished it off. This husband and wife team make such a dynamic pair. We were even treated to a little something extra, a little faster season of a new dish they wanted to try. The couple we mentioned earlier often try their new dishes and whilst we were enjoying a drink after our meal they came in to try a new dish and we were invited to join in! It was a tuna and avocado tartare served with a mango sauce. I need to add here, I am VERY dubious and fussy when it comes to fish, especially raw fish. But the fish was so fresh and beautifully prepared. And of course in melted in the mouth and the flavour was exquisite. This really is the best place to eat in the area, the time and passion put in by the owners shines through. The food is all freshly prepared and cooked and the service fantastic. When we ordered food we were told how long it would take to cook and just soaked in the noise of the waves lapping on the shore, sipped our wine and then we enjoyed the beautiful meal and stayed a little longer than planned casually chatting with the owners and locals.

If you are in the area, love good food make with passion and love, and want to do more than simply fill your belly, then please give this...

We’ve been visiting this restaurant for the last 3 years, and on our return to Spain this year, we were delighted to discover the new Aquarium location. What a fantastic surprise! The stunning glass façade and retractable roof filled the space with natural light and created an incredible ambiance that instantly lifted the entire experience.

The presentation of the restaurant is spotless—no pushy staff at the door, just a warm, genuine welcome from Nadia and attentive service from every member of the team throughout the evening.

Dining here is truly about enjoying the moment. There’s no rush—just time to savour the experience. The staff take real pride in guiding you through the exceptional menu and wine list, offering thoughtful recommendations and insights that elevate the evening. You can genuinely see their enthusiasm and care when they bring each beautifully prepared dish to the table.

We were so impressed that we ended up returning four times during our stay—and can’t wait to return again in August./ September

Across our visits, we tried a wide variety of dishes, and each one was consistently outstanding. The prawn starters were tender and flavourful, the squid was perfectly cooked, and the chicken cream soup was simply divine.

As for mains:

The chicken rolls with apple and walnuts were a standout—so good I ordered them twice. The rib-eye steak was rich, tender, and melted in the mouth. The cordon bleu was another standout, full of flavour and cooked to perfection. The meat skewers were beautifully presented and tasted fantastic. The fish rolls were light, fresh, and delicious. And the pasta dishes? Wonderfully seasoned and delightfully balanced. Portions are generous, and every meal left us completely satisfied. Not once did we leave without smiles on our faces and full hearts.

A huge thank you to everyone at Aquarium for creating such consistently memorable dining experiences. This restaurant truly stands out as a cut above the rest—if you’re in the area, it’s an absolute must-visit. You...

We visited as this was best rated in Benalmadena. Based on that expectation, it was a little disappointing. If it were not for expecting the very best, it would have been lovely. We booked an early table, and arrived 10 minutes early, so be greeted by who we assumed was the owner, telling us we were early. So we felt a little uncomfortable off the bat. We were seated and left to view the menu. The wine we wanted wasn't available, but recommended another. Nice enough, but was basically just muscato which was overpriced for what it was. We each chose a starter, and a different skewer each for main (which is what they are apparently famous for.) With each course, the owner felt the need to really big it up as if it were going to be a real culinary experience. In reality the kebabs just came out on a board with a built in skewer holder he'd designed himself. It was all very tasty, but nothing out of this World. While we were eating, another table sat nearby, maybe 5/6 people. When he'd taken their order, we heard him telling them that they've come to eat in his restaurant with lots of lovely choice, and why had they all ordered chicken? Erm....maybe because that's what they all liked and wanted!?! How can you start questioning what people order?! It was very odd.

Overall nice meal, bit over priced for what it is, trying too hard to be some sort of fine dining experience which it definitely isn't and the owner was a bit over bearing. I doubt...