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Restaurante El Refugio

Name: Restaurante El Refugio
Address: Nerja, Málaga, 29780, ES
Telephone: (+34) 627 87 61 69
Price range: 20-30 €

A Nerja classic that visitors return to year after year: good food, a welcoming atmosphere and a host who knows how to make everyone feel at home

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Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday, 18:00 to 22:30; Friday to Sunday, 18:00 to 22:30. Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Most praised: Excellent fillet steak and lamb · Free salad bar · Charismatic host and attentive staff
Terrace · Kids welcome

Restaurante El Refugio is at Calle Diputación Provincial 12, about 300 metres from the Balcón de Europa. It is one of the best-rated restaurants in Nerja: 4.6 on Google and 4.7 on Tripadvisor, where it has more than 2,500 reviews. Much of its fame is down to Rainer, the owner, a host who never stops joking with guests, and a team that sometimes bursts into song.

What to order. Meat and fish: the fillet steak and the lamb are the most praised, along with the ribs, rabbit and paella; to start, the sardines. Main courses come with a salad buffet, and a complimentary shot is offered at the end. There are vegetarian options and a children's menu, and you pay €20-30 per person.

Opening hours. Dinner only, 18:00-22:30. Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Booking. Essential: it is full almost every night and some guests come back several times in the same week. Inside it can get hot and noisy when full. More ideas in where to eat in Nerja.

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Review profile

Summary of the 999 most recent Google and Tripadvisor reviews (July 2021 – October 2026). These are visitors' opinions, analysed by EsNerja.

According to 999 recent reviews on Google (699) and Tripadvisor (300): standouts are food (96 % of 821 mentions), service (95 % of 322 mentions), atmosphere (94 % of 264 mentions); most mentioned: excellent fillet steak and lamb · free salad bar · charismatic host and attentive staff · paella and fish well rated.

Google vs Tripadvisor

Google 4.7 · Tripadvisor 4.8

Both platforms agree.

By review language

Spanish 4.7 (594) · English 4.8 (298)

Language hints at who is reviewing (locals and Spanish visitors, or foreign visitors).

Last 12 months

4.7 (266) vs 4.8 (282) the year before

The rating is steady.

Months with the best average rating

January, February, April

Based on review dates; not a forecast.

What people talk about most, and how

Food96 % · 821
Service95 % · 322
Atmosphere94 % · 264
Reservation93 % · 112
Value for Money83 % · 108
Menu89 % · 59

Share of positive mentions and number of reviews that mention it.

Frequently asked questions

Restaurante El Refugio is at C. Diputación Provincial, 12, 29780 Nerja, Málaga.

Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday, 18:00 to 22:30; Friday to Sunday, 18:00 to 22:30. Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. These are the hours it lists on Google; they can change on public holidays and out of season, so call 627 87 61 69 before you go.

Yes, Restaurante El Refugio takes reservations, and booking is recommended for dinner. You can book by calling 627 87 61 69.

According to Google, the average price is €20–30 per person.

Restaurante El Refugio has a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Google from 963 reviews. Very popular meat and fish restaurant, known for fillet steak, lamb, paella and a free salad bar. Owner Rainer is a real character. It fills up: book ahead, and the inside can be hot and noisy.

What people like most: