Restaurante La Reja. Steak House & Traditional Spanish Restaurant with Panoramic Views — Restaurant in Mijas

Nestled in the heart of the charming Mijas Pueblo, Restaurante La Reja is a true gem that captures the essence of Andalusian hospitality and cuisine. From the moment we stepped onto the panoramic terrace, we were enchanted by the breathtaking views of the Sierra de Mijas and the twinkling lights of the village square below. The 19th-century townhouse setting, with its rustic charm and warm ambiance, made us feel instantly at home, as if we were dining in a dear friend’s historic villa. We started our meal with two appetizers that set the tone for an unforgettable evening: the gambas al pil-pil and the croquetas. The gambas arrived sizzling in a vibrant pool of olive oil, garlic, paprika, and chili, each prawn bursting with bold, spicy flavors that begged to be mopped up with the fresh bread provided. The croquetas, golden and crisp on the outside, revealed a creamy, savory interior that melted in the mouth—a perfect balance of comfort and finesse. These starters alone were a testament to the kitchen’s dedication to authentic Spanish flavors. For our main course, we chose the paella mixta, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Generously laden with tender chicken, succulent seafood, and perfectly cooked saffron-infused rice, it was a vibrant medley of textures and tastes. The portion was hearty, yet every bite felt fresh and thoughtfully prepared, with the ingredients singing in harmony. It’s no wonder La Reja is celebrated for its homemade paellas—this dish is a must-try for anyone visiting Mijas. The wine selection elevated our meal further, with an impressive array of local and Spanish wines that paired beautifully with the bold flavors of our dishes. The staff’s recommendations were spot-on, guiding us to a crisp Albariño that complemented the seafood in the paella and a robust Rioja that stood up to the gambas’ spice. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for the menu made the experience feel personal and special. Speaking of the staff, the service at La Reja was impeccable—warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. From the moment we were seated, the team made us feel like honored guests, checking in with just the right balance of care and discretion. The owner even stopped by to ensure we were enjoying ourselves, a thoughtful touch that added to the family-run restaurant’s charm. Their smiles and professionalism shone through, even during a busy evening, making our meal feel effortless and joyful. Dining on the terrace, with its stunning vistas and gentle evening breeze, was the perfect backdrop to an already exceptional meal. The combination of incredible food, a well-curated wine list, and heartfelt service made La Reja a highlight of our time in Mijas Pueblo. Whether you’re a local or a traveler exploring the Costa del Sol, this restaurant is a must-visit. I can’t recommend the paella mixta, gambas al pil-pil, and croquetas enough—paired with a glass of their carefully selected wine, it’s an experience that will linger in your heart long after you leave. We’re already looking forward to...

I don’t normally post negative reviews, but I wanted to share the very strange experience I had tonight. The service was subpar, oddly disorganized, and in some instances flat-out rude. A few things went awry. First, we were led to and seated at the wrong table, and I was waved away in a very dismissive manner when I tried to point out that there were the wrong number of seats for the number of people in our group (1 extra). Then, when the other party arrived, we were treated like the ones who had made the mistake and by the staff’s attitude I was made to feel like I had done something wrong.

Okay, that’s not that bad, right? But it gets worse — the server who reseated us then took our order, and he acted personally insulted that everyone in the party did not order a starter AND a main course. He scoffed and rolled his eyes, scolding us loudly and laughing in disbelief. It was a real mood killer and made us feel super uncomfortable! After all that, he then proceeded to forget one of the dishes we had actually ordered. I’ve honestly never encountered rude service like that anywhere before and it was extremely off putting. I really don’t think we asked for anything at all out of the ordinary.

This one guy could have ruined the meal, but thankfully for some reason they never sent him back upstairs to the terrace and we only interacted with other servers after he took our order.

One star for the food and the view, which were respectively excellent and beautiful. I’ll even be probably way too generous and give one extra star for the few waitstaff who actually seemed to know what they were doing and also have the poor fortune to have to work with our server from hell.

Who knows, based on the amazing recent reviews maybe the place was just having an off night. But if you’re eating here, beware… if you’re not planning on ordering at least an appetizer and an entree for every person, you might get treated poorly...

The concierge from our hotel recommended this restaurant and we left rather disappointed. First up the good: Very centrally located and the outside terrace is rather lovely, if a bit cramped maybe. Staff is ultra quick to get your drink order and sneakingly tried to sell us a full bottle of red while we had made it very clear we only wanted a glass, as I had to drive. Starters arrived very quickly, delicious croquettes that were very clearly made by hand and not from frozen and a tasty portion of pan fried chorizo.

But then began the wait… We were at this restaurant for almost two hours which is odd for us as extremely efficient orderers and eaters. It took about an hour between the starters and mains finally to be delivered. Once they finally arrived, at exactly the same time came the god awful tourist band playing the most cliché borderline insulting “Spanish” songs one could find. On the small terrace, this felt extremely inappropriate and once they finally finished torturing our ears, they had the audacity to beg for money. If a restaurant wants to provide crappy “live music”, then at least pay them!

The mains were… edible but nothing you’d write home about. The “pork fillet” was everything but fillet and the sauce tasted rather weird. The side of potato and vegetables was also a downer, especially the potatoes which were simple jacked potatoes from the oven. Restaurant also does not offer American Express cards which is odd in such a tourist trap, and just finished the already disappointing evening on a...