MARADENTRO Restaurante del Mar — Restaurant in Mijas

Avoid!!! I wish I could give this place 0 stars and shut the place down just to save anyone who visits in the future.

We booked through the Fork app and took advantage of the 30% discount.

Our favourite restaurant used to be in this location Tapavino so we wanted to return.

On entry the place was very empty and it seemed like it was family run so we all said to each other we really hope it's nice and we would love to support it.

But what followed I can only describe as my worst ever experience at a restaurant and my blood is literally boiling just typing this.

We ordered calamari, and aubergine with honey to start. A chicken children's meal with seafood pasta, oxtail and a steak. The guy who served us said he could bring up the children's meal with starters which always keeps our child happy and that is where the drama started.

The starter came out and the aubergine was soggy and oily and the batter was just disgusting. What I will say however is the calamari seemed relatively fresh and meaty.

There was no sign of the children's meal.

Next up was the oxail, plain rice some basic veg. It was average at best.

The seafood pasta was rubbery and chewy and was of poor standard.

The steak again average at best.

But there was still no sign of the children's meal. We asked where it was and was met with a blank face. He said it would be quick to do and he would get right on it. A couple of minutes later the food arrived. My partner said that was too quick no way it could have been cooked in that time and to check the chicken. On inspection It's was totally raw.

I called him over and said this wasn't acceptable especially with children which he didn't see to care. I asked for the bill and was met with a full price bill no 30% discount and even still charged for the childrens meal that was raw.

At this point I was so angry I had to leave.

My partner then explained we booked using 30% off and was told he had seen us before and we had used the discount. Well I haven't stepped foot in Spain since they opened so unless I have a twin I don't know about it wasn't me and was just a tactic to avoid giving the discount.

Honestly the entire experience was atrocious I cannot believe my partner paid.

Beware anyone thinking of...

Excellent seafood restaurant with personal, top-class service and freshly prepared dishes. Not just somewhere for a meal, this is a dining experience.

We went to this restaurant in search of good seafood and were not disappointed. We arrived quite early for spanish dining (1900) and so had pick of the tables.

The Restaurant is owned and operated by a couple, and they are engaging throughout, with very clear passion for what they do, indulging in an element of theatrics to make your meal feel like an experience. The resturantuers were keen to explain the menu to us, as well as the range of variations they could make if the meal wasn't quite to your taste.

The menu is quite diverse, but has a clear focus on seafood. There are options for Sea Bass, Salmon, Swordfish, as well as Squid, Calamari and Crayfish. All recently caught, with a range of the fish kept in a chilled display cabinet towards the back of the restaurant (look out also for their resident goldfish, swimming happily in his bowl). They have options for Paella and Salt-Baked Sea Bass too, with the latter baked beside your table.

They do also have a range of Steaks if Seafood isn't for you, and they have a kids section which includes burgers and the likes.

We were given Garlic Bread, Seafood Salad and Olives to start our meal.

There is also a good range of beers and wines, with a local Alhambra Reserva being my standout favourite if you're wanting to sample the 'local offerings'.

The Resturantuers, on learning that we were meeting for the celebration of a 30th Wedding Anniversary, made a fuss of this, bringing out further dessert and drinks, and joined us for a toast.

The resturant itself is tastefully decorated and the front patio is a comforting place to sit and watch life go by.

Overall, a brilliant establishment, and truly one of those hidden gem venues given it's nestled between the local shop and the dominating Slow Boat To China, but truly a place you'll not be disappointed, especially given the reasonable price point (approx 35-38 EUR PP, and this was not through making cost conscious choices).

Pictured, we have the Swordfish, Crepe Susette...

We are having a week in Calahonda and a Paella was very high on our list. I had read umpteen reviews online, on several places when I stumbled across the Maradentro Restaurant. No wonder it gets such good reviews, the food and service were excellent. Located on the main strip between Bogharts and the Slow Boat Chinese restaurant, it is easy to find. We had a nice bottle of Sonsierra Crianza Rioja. The Spanish owner of the place told us the Paella would take 30 minutes or so to prepare, no problems. He gave us a complimentary bottle of water, then we had bread with ali oli and two other accompaniments. He then fetched out a kind of braised steak in gravy tapa on the house again, which was so nice. Something we both agreed that we could have ordered as a meal in itself. Then, the mixed seafood Paella came, packed with seafood and very big for two people, but we did manage to finish the lot. Lots of big prawns and different types in shell, prawns without shell, mussels, clams, fish, etc and of course the tasty rice. It was the best Paella we have eaten in years which dwarfs some of the poor attempts we have had in this area over the years. We did not have dessert as we were stuffed, but the owner brought us a complimentary liquor to finish off. What a great food experience we had. We never felt rushed at any time and when they serve up good food as well you are on a winner.I would also like to say that the place is immaculately clean and food (varieties of fish mainly) the other patrons were eating around us looked so good. I think we will be back eating in here very soon. Highly recommended and feel we found a hidden gem. Give the place a go, which we found fairly...