Restaurante La Caracola — Restaurant in Fuengirola

Subject: Disappointing Experience at La Caracola – 16th April

La Caracola Team,

I am writing to express our deep disappointment following our recent visit to your restaurant in Mijas on Wednesday, 16th April.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a staff member named Franco, who was immediately rude and dismissive. Initially, we assumed he might simply be having a difficult evening. Unfortunately, this behavior was echoed by our waiter, Floren, whose attitude throughout the service was equally unfriendly and unprofessional.

From the beginning, the experience was subpar. While other tables were served bread with olive oil, we received bread with no accompaniments. No one came to check on our meals once they were served, and when I inquired about the beer options on tap, Floren vaguely mentioned a regional beer. When I asked if I could sample it, as is common practice in restaurants and pubs worldwide, he refused without explanation. I did not request a bottled drink to be opened, merely a small taste from the tap, which would have cost nothing and helped me make an informed choice. I ultimately ordered a different beer, which never arrived.

This level of service was disappointing, particularly considering that we are returning customers, and this restaurant has held sentimental value for our family—especially for my father-in-law, who considered it one of his favorites.

It is truly unfortunate that what should have been an enjoyable evening was overshadowed by rudeness and poor service. We chose not to pay the service charge as a direct result of this experience. While everyone has off days, Floren and Franco actively chose to treat us poorly.

We sincerely hope that our experience was not reflective of a broader attitude toward visitors. Tourism plays a vital role in the local economy, and guests—especially loyal, returning ones—should be made to feel welcome and appreciated.

Regrettably, we will not...

I think this may be one of the best seafood restaurants in Fuengirola, we were lucky to get a table coming in unannounced, and we didn't anticipate the level of professionalism from the staff nor the kitchen.

My favorite dish was a grilled octopus-arm served in a hot potato-mousse. It was grilled to perfection, from top to bottom.

The staff worked in a level of its own, they communicated internally using walkie-headsets, so even when busy, everyone knew their place and it didn't feel crowded even though the room was packed andcoeople waited in line to get in.

5 stars well deserved, this is one to remember.

Update: We went back on a slow night (Monday), to find that the standard appears to be way under the level we experienced the first night. The waiter appeared careless and didn't want to bother explain nor understand their own menu, even though it was in English. No olives were served this time, maybe because I ordered cola instead of wine? So they mistook us for cheap customers (?) The staff obviously were more busy fooling around with each other non-discretely, another waiter didn't bother about dragging his feet loudly next to us.

But most unsatisfactory, my partner ordered a 28 euro expensive shrimp menu. She received aprox. 10 pil-pil shrimps served with salt on top, nothing else. Luckily, she asked before the serving and was recommended by the waiter to buy a salad as side-dish. She received a salad, but one that absolutely didn't match the dish and cardlessly served with a canned cold tuna on top.

All in all: Sometimes it's a good thing to revisit a place, and sometimes you wish you never did. This was one of those times. But to the restaurant: if you want to aim at higher level customers, I suggest to up your game and work with your details, and never act decondescenting towards your customers even on slow days. This last experience was absolutely...

A Mixed Bag by the Sea: A Gem Amid the Grime?

We recently dined at this beachfront restaurant during a visit to Fuengirola, and overall, the experience was a mix of highs and lows.

Let’s start with the food. The standout dish was without a doubt the rape a la plancha (grilled monkfish), which was perfectly cooked — fresh, flaky, and seasoned just right. If you’re a seafood lover, this is the dish to order. Unfortunately, not everything lived up to the same standard. The calamaritos were a disappointment: served cold and with a stale texture, they lacked the freshness and flavor you’d expect from a coastal kitchen. Another letdown was the avocado prawn dish. It looked impressive on the plate, but the flavors simply didn’t follow through — bland and unbalanced.

The location of the restaurant is prime — right on the beachfront, offering what could be a lovely seaside view. That said, the view is significantly obstructed by rows of beach chair parasols, which detracts from the atmosphere a bit. Still, the proximity to the ocean adds a certain charm, especially if you can grab a seat with a clearer line of sight.

One pleasant surprise was the wine selection. The list was extensive, with a solid variety of options across price points. Our bottle was excellent and well-paired with the meal.

But the real highlight? Dessert. It was the most memorable part of the meal — thoughtfully presented, indulgent without being over-the-top, and absolutely delicious. It's worth visiting for the sweets alone.

As for the town itself, Fuengirola doesn’t quite seduce with its surroundings. It felt...