El Chaleco

We both enjoyed a perfect 5 course dinner at El Chaleco with its renowned Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. It is one of the best dinner experiences we have ever had with a really good service, nice ambience and food in world class. We will for sure be back. The Laursen's.

We visited this restaurant twice during our October stay, 100% outstanding each time, food was delicious and service faultless. We had the lobster menu on the second visit, was amazing

What an excellent lunch. If you stay in the vicinity or as we were en route from Granada to Malaga you will be happy if you take a detour around this restaurant. We were 4 for the Valentines Day menu - well balanced, technichally flawless French based cooking. This is a place that has the basic details in perfect order ie warming the plates when serving fish dishes, as all other restaurants should, and bringing a wine cooler on their own initiative even in February. I enjoy my lukewarm pipette dispensed and floweradorned El Bulli/Noma style food places as much as the next guy. El Chaleco is a place that takes their cooking just as serious while playing in a different league. They know and pick discerningly from newer techniques and ingredients but keep the base of the cooking fairly classic and high quality and less gimmicky/storytelling/experimental/food theatre I'm all for that strategy and so should you be.

Outstanding Meal and Service! Audrey was able to give us her last lunch reservation. We were in awe of the food, wine and service. Everything was amazing. We'd go back every day ... but only in town for 2 more days and they are closed Sunday night through Tuesday lunch. This place definitely deserves their Michelin Bib Gourmand rating! What is especially incredible to me is the entire meal for 2 people at €100, including a bottle of wine. We live near equivalent quality restaurants in California and would pay $350+. This is one reason we love coming to Spain!

When i asked for gluten-free, they told me to reserve in advance so that they could prepare for it properly. They take food very seriously! Service is wonderful and the lady of the restaurant is welcoming and funny as well as excellently observant to the needs of her guests. The red wine of the house was one of the best we've had, and it was a special treat brewed for only 3000 bottles so it felt a little special as well. I felt like i ate for twice the money we paid. It's relatively expensive to the area, but relatively to the value it's more than fitting. They don't hand you a menu, they design the meal for you and then you just sit back and let yourself be amazed by the creativity of each dish. It was a truly pleasant experience and i wish i had come with an emptier stomach than i did; the meals looked small on some review pictures so i imagined it to be one of those places where you can eat a small meal after you're done. It's not, so please build up an appetite before coming!

Had a lovely birthday meal here and by the end of the meal, we had booked to return a few days later, it was that good. We had a delicious tasting menu with paired wines, all of which were superb. The lady owner was super friendly and gave wonderful service to us for the whole evening. Definitely recommend 👌

Dear Audrey; Thank you so much for an amazing birthday dinner! You and your team created something truly special — every dish was as beautiful as it was delicious. We loved your creative twist on the lobster menu, and that dessert was the perfect finale. Your warmth and attention made the evening unforgettable. All the best B-O & Raija

This is a fabulous French restaurant with excellent service in Almunecar. The owner is lovely, the food, wine and experience excellent.

This is a Michelin rated restaurant and it is spectacular! So if you don't want to read the entire review, skip it and just go enjoy lunch or dinner here. You will not be disappointed, and I must say, it is NOT pricey at all. It is something different, a change from the other cuisine that you will typically find in the area. This is truly a hidden gem, a rare find, and by all means a bargain! They are closed Sunday evening and all day Monday except in June and July when they are open every night. You will have a set menu. In our case it was 6 courses for 36€. There is a full wine list with plenty of reasonably priced vinos. The service was phenomenal - we did not pour an ounce of wine ourselves. If the glass was near empty it was promptly filled. Same held true for the water. The place settings were immaculate - not a fingerprint to be found. The food was mind blowing. Everything was beautifully presented - artistic, flawless, just mesmerizing. Each course was cooked perfectly, exquisitely, and was nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. My compliments to the chef! You surely are missing out if you visit Almuñecar and don't eat here.