What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
La Mar Chica
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
We invite you inside our living-room restaurant with a menu inspired and sourced by the land, mountains and sea that surrounds us. All dishes are homemade by fresh, seasonal ingredients. Dutch head chef and owner Dennis Van Tintelen composes the menu with inspiration from his international experience in Michilin star restaurants, and his favorite culinary corners of the world, be it New Nordic cuisine, Spanish or Asian... Restaurant La Mar Chica is located in the typical Andalusian White Village of Benalmádena Pueblo, with narrow cobblestone streets and flowers in front of every house. Benalmádena Pueblo is a short drive from the coast between Malaga and Marbella on Costa Del Sol, Spain. La Mar Chica opened March 2019 by Dutch/Danish couple.
Features
CUISINES
International, European, Contemporary
Meal types
Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Non-smoking restaurants
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Table Service
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Street Parking
Is this restaurant good for business meetings?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 7:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
19:00 - 23:00
Wednesday
19:00 - 23:00
Thursday
19:00 - 23:00
Friday
19:00 - 23:00
Saturday
Closed
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4.9
(312)
Excellent
300
Good
5
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Kathryn C
26 contributions
Dec 2024 • friends
Reservation is essential as foods are freshly prepared in accordance with the bookings. Simple decor, extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff , your tastebuds will be tantalized by the food prepared by the exceptional talented chef/owner Dennis ably assisted by Keke, his wife. The menu is innovative and Dennis takes you on a voyage of discovery with each mouthful. This restaurant stands out and warrants your visit whether you are celebrating an event or are just a foodie. Exceptional!
Written 16 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jens C
Copenhagen4 contributions
Dec 2024 • friends
We were back once more after several visits during 2023 and 2024 and had the 7 courses menu with matching wine menu.
It is just a fantastic experience.
The restaurant is cosy with just very few tables, so that the owners Dennis and Kikki have time to deal with every guest. Each course is prepared in every detail, and Dennis or Kikki are introducing each course to you. All courses are delightful, but my favorite is always one of the delicius soups.
We can highly recommend this restaurant, but make sure to make table reservation long time ahead because its sold-out quickly
Written 10 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passenger56601921108
2 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
After a neighbour recommended La Mar Chica..saying it was the best dining experience he had ever had in Spain. My wife and I decided we would try it and we wasn’t disappointed..absolutely fabulous, a truly delightful evening. The staff are really informative and even Denis chef/Owner takes the time to explain every detail and all ingredients that go into every course of the menu. The time and effort that goes into preparing the food is obvious. Thank you for a lovely meal.
Written 22 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zuliel
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • family
More than a meal - a totally unique gastronomic experience. Every mouthful is carefully crafted to please and served with charm and artistry in this family run restaurant. A not to be missed experience for the discerning diner. I have had the pleasure of visiting Mar Chica many times and each time the latest menu has been enjoyed by different age groups and nationalities of guests.
Written 19 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mooey68
Liverpool31 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Fantastic dining experience, in a very pretty and intimate setting. The taster menu was filled with fabulous flavours with each dish being described by the friendly and attentive owners and staff as it was presented.
The highlight from the 6 courses we ate, was the asparagus soup, topped with truffle oil - outstanding!
Written 30 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kikki Godskesen
Thank you very much for your visit and kind words. We hope to welcome you back another time.
Written 4 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kempr52
Eastleigh526 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
If there is a better restaurant than La Mar Chica, in Andalusia, then I’m yet to find it. It is a small, intimate restaurant which has 8 or 9 tables. Situated in Benalmádena Pueblo. It offers tasting menus of between 4 to 7 courses. We chose the 7 course menu, priced around €74. The menus are available online. The food is exquisite, dishes are superbly presented with imagination. They taste extraordinarily good. Service is exemplary, the two front of house ladies are friendly, efficient and make the place run like clockwork. The magnificent chef visits the tables every now and then giving an explanation of the contents of the dishes he is delivering. This is done by the staff every time they deliver. Our recommended wine matched or dishes perfectly. I recommend you visit the restaurant unreservedly.
Written 8 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David J
Hastings102 contributions
Sept 2023 • friends
We saved the best till last, absolutely loved this small but fabulous restaurant. The moment we entered we were made to feel at home by friendly smiling staff, the atmosphere was great and so welcoming it was like being in someone’s home.
The food was absolutely stunning and each dish was explained to us as it was served including all the ingredients including herbs & spices.
We didn’t go with the wine to match as we prefer to keep to one type and the wine we had was fabulous, so glad we could go this visit and will definitely be going again when we return to Benalmadena Pueblo again and let’s hope you get recognition for the fabulous food & experience
Thank You
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielle J
Copenhagen10 contributions
Mar 2024 • friends
I was lucky to visit La Mar Chica with a group of friends on a Friday night in early March 2024 after having wanted to try this restaurant for many years.
We had the 7-dish menu with wine pairing and were not disappointed - the food was perfection! Very delicious, beautifully presented and all in all just great value for money. The restaurant is very cosy and intimate, and the owners Kikki and Dennis
and the rest of their staff were extraordinarily welcoming and took great care of us. Their passion for giving each guest a great experience really shines through - I can't wait for my next visit to La Mar Chica.
Written 19 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sueayer
Chichester58 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
This was the perfect dining experience from start to finish. Booking was easy but necessary as the restaurant is small and deservedly very popular. All the staff were very friendly, even spotted we were hot as we had rushed to be on time and provided us with hand fans - lovely touch. They were all extremely knowledgeable about the food. The evening started with a refreshing aperitif. We chose a reasonably priced bottle of wine. What then followed an amazing amuse bouche and then 4 courses of the most delicious and beautifully presented food I have ever eaten. Think taste explosions and works of art. Each course was explained in detail. The owners Kikki and Dennis (chef) and their staff attended our table with each course explaining dishes and making sure we were happy. We were more than happy and will return every time we visit. What a find!
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TraceyW061
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
This was just a perfect little gem of a restaurant, with wonderful and unique food that could not be replicated anywhere else. The service was incredible and we left feeling that we had been treated like VIPs. We feel so fortunate to have such a marvellous place so close to our holiday home in Spain. This isn't just a restaurant, it is a wholly encompassing experience which satisfies all the senses.
Written 3 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isabel R
2 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
This is our second time here. We came last year and we had 5 courses. This year we went for the 7 course and were so happy we did along with matching wines. It was a superb experience all over again. We travel to the area once a year and we made our reservation a few months ago and will continue to come. The food is superb, every dish so perfectly executed, the presentation is art, the plates/dishes are so unique and beautiful, the timing between each course was just right and overall service flawless. I can’t wait to come back next year.
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John C
37 contributions
Nov 2022 • couples
My wife and I visited on 17th for a birthday meal. We had the six course tasting menu and the wine pairing also. Each course was delicious and the hosts explained what the dish entailed and about the corresponding wine. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time,lovely relaxed atmosphere and excellent hosts. We will definitely return when next in the area.
Written 18 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Family D
14 contributions
Sept 2022 • none
We sat down as a table of 8, service was extremely good the tasting menu was amazing everyones food was as good with presentation and taste as the next person. ,a few of us did the wine pairing which I would definitely recommend. This restaurant is a must, if you like and appreciate food & wine.
We will be back...
Written 20 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne M
Dublin129 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
We had a great evening. Service was prompt and friendly.
There’s a seven course menu to be found online which is served for a number of weeks. You chose how many courses you want and the restaurant chooses which of the seven you get. I had six and my husband had five- unfortunately I didn’t get the scallops! The bread, the soup, the beef and the banana bread were all amazing as was the dessert.
Everything was delicious. We also had the wine pairings which were very interesting as we are not knowledgeable about Spanish wine.I had the ‘driver’s measures’ slightly smaller glasses though we got a taxi back to the hotel.
This was our best meal on our short break to the Costa del Sol. Chatting with the chef and his partner after the service added to our enjoyment of the evening.
Written 15 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kikki G
Thnk you very much for your visit and kind words.
We are offering our only a set menu of 4 to 7 dishes, that changes every 6 weeks. On our menu available online you can see which dishes are included in each of the menus. In our current menu, the scallops is available only in the menu of 7 dishes.
We offer the Driver's wine menu indeed with smaller measures to allow guest wanting less alhocol to still ahve the wine pairing experience.
We hope to welcome you back another time when you are in the area.
Dennis & Kikki
Written 29 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Daniëlle
Benalmadena1 contribution
Jan 2021 • friends
We are so happy that la mar chica is staying positive and creative in these difficult times for the hospitality industry.
We had a great delivery meal kit off 4 courses with their really great homemade bread for only € 65 for two persons plus a bottle of wine ! The food was really really good. Same quality ingredients as in the restaurant but then made easier for us to create and playing chef for a night. All came with A clear description how to prepare the food! We can’t wait to visit the restaurant but until then this is a great way to enjoy their food and supporting them!! Good luck Dennis & Kikki
Written 11 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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