D'Platos Málaga — Restaurant in Málaga

There is a distinct rhythm to dining in Spain, one that requires a recalibration of the American instinct for efficiency. At De Plato, a restaurant nestled in the heart of Málaga, this unhurried cadence is not just expected—it’s embraced.

Our evening began with a bottle of Spanish wine, a natural choice given the country’s deep viticultural roots. The rest of the table opted for sangria, a quintessentially Iberian indulgence, its fruit-laden sweetness balancing the warmth of the night.

The meal unfolded with a plate of potatoes and asparagus, the standout dish of the evening. Perfectly seasoned and generously portioned, it was a reminder that simplicity, when executed with care, often triumphs over complexity. The croquettes—stuffed with chicken and shrimp—offered a familiar comfort, crisp on the outside, creamy within.

But dining at De Plato was about more than just the food. The evening stretched as we lingered over drinks, watching street performers animate the square with the fluidity of practiced spontaneity. At one point, a man approached, his Spanish beyond our comprehension, but his request—hot chocolate—was clear. It was an unusual ask, one that seemed to capture the city’s charm: unexpected, warm, and slightly surreal.

Service in Spain operates on a different tempo. It is neither inattentive nor hurried, but rather a reflection of a culture that sees meals as occasions, not transactions. Adjusting to this pace takes patience, but on a mild Andalusian night, beneath the glow of Málaga’s streetlights, it felt like...

Not a good experience sadly although Belem was very attentive and nice. Didn't seem busy but there was a long delay in taking our order. A member of waiting staff got into a loud row with one of the chefs which we could easily hear despite the overly loud, dated music. The food was poor with the exception of the oxtail burger and tortilla - but maybe we chose badly (oxtail croquettas, octopus - which was a pile of frozen chips with 2 undercooked fried eggs and a tiny sliced tentacle of octopus and overcooked asparagus potatoes and egg, along with a tasteless lamb burger. Additionally, we accidentally spilled a full glass of wine. We did eventually get help to clean it up but weren't asked if we'd like another. Mariano was very engaging and funny but left before we were served and no one asked if we were enjoying our meal. For the first time ever we didn't leave a tip - mostly because the food was so bad but also because the service wasn't great. Sorry to leave such...

With vegetarian options on the menu for Karen, we chose this for dinner. The place was busy but we got a table without a reservation. It’s in the more touristy part of town and the staff were efficiently dealing with people from many different countries.

They gave us the main menu and another little thing listing free tapas. Free tapas is a rarity in Málaga. It’s more a Granada thing, but we were on Calle Granada! What arrived after our drinks was a couple of the carrot and mozzarella puffs but I had to eat them both to work out what they were and decide whether they were veggie. They didn’t bring any more, so Karen missed out.

The food we did order was delicious. Karen had the vegan excellence sausage with crispy potatoes. It exceeded all her expectations. I had the Acorn-fed Iberian pork blade cooked in chopped garlic and Sauvignon Blanc. I could have eaten it again and again. We were full so didn’t do postres.

Service was very friendly and we will...