Bar El Pulguilla

Name: Bar El Pulguilla
Address: Nerja, Málaga, 29780, ES
Telephone: +34952521384
Price range: 10-20 €
Rating: 4.3

One of the essential classics in the centre of Nerja. El Pulguilla has been serving the best of Málaga-style fried fish for decades on Calle Almirante Ferrándiz, just a stone’s throw from Balcón de Europa

If there is one name that comes up time and again when you ask the people of Nerja where to eat good fried fish, it is El Pulguilla. This bar-restaurant, located on the lively Calle Almirante Ferrándiz —known as the «restaurant street»— is an institution in Nerja, with more than 10,000 reviews on Google and a reputation that speaks for itself.

The house speciality leaves no room for doubt: top-quality Málaga-style fried fish. Anchovies, baby squid, chanquetes, squid and prawns, all freshly prepared to order with fresh produce of the day. The pepper salad is another of those dishes that regulars never stop recommending. For those looking for something more substantial, the menu includes rice dishes, paellas and seafood platters that invite sharing.

The venue is surprisingly spacious inside: it has a large air-conditioned main dining room and a second dining room at the back, as well as a street-level terrace that is perfect for pleasant-weather afternoons. The atmosphere is informal and lively, a mix of local residents and tourists who discover the place by recommendation. The service stands out for its speed, something customers mention time and again in their reviews.

It opens from Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, and is closed on Mondays. You do not need to book — entry is on a first-come, first-served basis — although in high season it is worth arriving with a bit of time to spare because it fills up quickly. They accept card payments and have adapted access for people with reduced mobility, both at the entrance and inside.