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Clandestino

Gourmet world tour in a comfortable, spacious setting

Spanish Mediterranean Steak House European International

Clandestino features an ever changing menu of gourmet delights from all corners of the world.

Clandestino Gourmet does what it says on the tin; it delivers gourmet food in a very discreet and agreeable setting. Some restaurants make a lot of noise about themselves and pay a fortune to be on the busiest boulevard. Not Clandestino. Located round a corner away from the thronging hordes in Plaza Unzibay, you'll find a really spacious restaurant, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This is a lot to do with the decor, where the original brick columns of the old building have been exposed, giving the place the atmosphere of a hidden but popular speakeasy in some distant film scene. The outdoor terrace is on a quiet pedestrian backstreet, with cool shade, and mercifully free from traffic, both human and motorised. The elegant old building has tall windows, and the interior is luminous and attractive. A variety of styles of chairs, table tops and place mats and the arty distressing of much of the decor adds to the feeling of cosyness and familiarity.

Clandestino's mission is to bring you satisfying, heart warming classic dishes from different quarters of the world, each with its own modern twist or Spanish embellishment. There's a 'brasa', the open charcoal griddle beloved of South America, and you'll find the 'parillada', the mixed grill, is one of the house favourites. This plate, groaning with cuts of beef and pork, sausages, fried peppers and spicey potatoes, is a great sharing platter for a group of friends. The brochettas of pork come admirably loaded with different slices of vegetables. The menu is a constantly moving tour of the best of produce and flavours from Spain, South America, Asia, and the Mediterranean. Their is alway a range of menu options, and special occasion variations, so its one of those few places where if you go back you may well have a lot of new things to try. The set menu options are always great and surprising value for money, especially in a town centre with some over inflated prices.

Clandestino is a restaurant where any size group can enjoy a meal. that doesn't mean it's a one plate one person kimnd of place. The menu is designed to allow you to pick a range of dishes that you can share amongst yourselves if you wish. This is the more common style of dining with friends in Spain. Many starters come as little bits you can share, such as the variety of croquettes and crunchy bonbons, the pincitos and platters of grilled meats and the big brochettes. There are a range of classic pastas, such as bolognese, serranesa and lasagna, and more adventurous versions with squid ink, gniocchis and black or mushroom rissottos. Local fresh caught tuna (de almodraba) comes in various forms: seared, tataki, carpaccio, depending on the season.

The wine list is exceptional, covering all the main Spanish dominaciones, with many great choices, from economic to deluxe vintages. You can order cocktails, and even a dessert of mojito! There are craft beers as well as local favourites.

Clandestino Gourmet offers you hugely comforting food, with generous portions, at surprisingly reasonable prices. If you want a quick economic lunch, one of the special menus is ideal. If you are a group of friends looking for a welcoming and relaxing place where you can share dishes, take your time and enjoy the atmosphere, it's a great choice as well. In the cooler months, the ample interior is ideal for dining in an agreeable ambiance.

Clandestino is indeed a clandestine restaurant, quietly and discreetly serving up food that warms the heart, just out of sight of the frantic hustle of Plaza Unzibay. So take a step back, slow down, turn off main street and explore your clandestine side.

Clandestino is from the Grupo Destino, the brain child of a young Malaga entrepreneur, Oscar Bernal, and is part of a stable of similar businesses in the old town, each with it's own singularity, characterised by agreeable environments, great affordable food and a welcoming team. In addition to Clandestino, a few steps around the corner is a smaller cosy gastrobar El Entibo, which serves the fabulous boutique hostel upstairs, the Malaga Hostel Boutique. Not too far away is their delightful bistro, El Apartamento Gastrobar.