Octopus — Restaurant in Fuengirola

If I could hand out medals for the best food in Fuengirola, El Octopus would be standing on the top step, arms in the air, gold medal swinging around its neck.

My mate and I had just finished a game of mini golf — which, if you’ve ever played in the Spanish sun, is basically like playing snooker in a sauna. We were wandering around, sweaty, delirious, and absolutely starving. Then, like a culinary angel descending from the heavens, a waiter from El Octopus handed us a leaflet.

And honestly, it turned out to be the single best decision I’ve made on this entire holiday.

We started with the seafood plate — it said “for up to three people,” but we demolished it. Gone. Vanished. We devoured it like two starved sea lions who’d just discovered an unattended fish market. Every piece was beautiful — fresh, tender, and full of proper seaside flavour that makes you want to start clapping and shouting olé on the spot.

Then, like absolute maniacs, we ordered the hot tapas plate. God almighty. The chorizo, the chicken wings, even the chips — every single bite was a knockout. Juicy, spicy, crispy — the whole lot. We were practically high-fiving after every mouthful.

We left feeling like we’d stumbled upon a hidden secret, the sort of place you almost don’t want to tell anyone about so it stays yours forever. But of course, we told all our mates immediately. We couldn’t shut up about it.

El Octopus made our day. Two hungry lads turned into two overjoyed, slightly sunburnt food evangelists in one sitting.

Proper grub....

Good food & price and good to watch the world go by. Young waiters & waitress's excellent & working so hard in a packed place. But I have never seen or heard anything like it from the female manager/owner. Proper screaming & shouting at her staff in front of customers, inside & out the building. Slamming chairs around in anger. We didn't know what was being said but it was terrible. She was in one poor lads face, pointing her finger so aggressively, I honestly thought she was going to hit him she was so angry. I have never experienced such a display of unprofessionalism and aggressive behaviour in the workplace towards other people. And for this reason, we will never return here. I just hope the young people are not scarred for life by such an abusive manager. I just felt helpless that I could not understand or speak the language & step in. ...

I visit this place often and like the food very much. I see that the owner has made a great effort to make this place work well. I gave three points for service today, but that's because one waiter has earned five points, but the other unfortunately zero. The guy with grayish hair and a big fringe makes mistakes with orders, not just with us but with the next table as well. Then he argues with the customers and claims that we made the mistake, not him... It is a shame, as everything else is perfect, but he is ruining the place. On the other hand, I cannot speak highly enough of the young man with dark hair and glasses whose work is always impeccable and who also fixes the mistakes made by his partner. I hope something can be done to solve the situation, as it is a shame to see one bad worker ruin the reputation of...