You Are What You Eat – Healthy Eating in Marbella

Marbella is a hub for gourmet cuisine, boasting a gastronomic landscape that far exceeds expectations for a town of its size. Renowned for its variety of dining options, this vibrant locale offers an array of high-quality culinary experiences, making it a disproportionate powerhouse in the world of fine dining, including several Michelin-starred eateries.It’s also a top destination for health-conscious foodies. Here are some of the popular establishments offering healthy eating options:

• Table of contents
• Hustle and Flow
• Organic Market & Food
• Rachel’s Eco Love Café
• Celicioso
• Manuka
• Keto Royale Kafé
• The Farm
• Wild Café
• Estepona Gourmet Market - Mercado de Abastos

Hustle and Flow

Becoming a ‘go-to’ destination for healthy foodies, Hustle and Flow is known for its fresh, varied menu, it is dedicated to making 'eating healthy' a more enjoyable experience in every way. Their flexible list of options includes vegan and gluten-free alternatives for almost every dish, allowing patrons to customise their meals to their liking. The establishment prides itself on offering health food that is both top quality and uncompromised, catering to a variety of dietary needs and preferences.

• Address: Avda. de Andalucia, 1 Esquina Calle Lagasca, San Pedro de Alcantara, 29670
• Tel: +34 663 860 991
• Website: hustlenflow.com

Organic Market & Food

A vibrant hub for those seeking a healthier lifestyle, Organic Market and Food offers a predominantly plant-based, organic menu. Established in 2014 by Samantha Penfold and Ángel Gutierrez, and later taken over by Natalia Belaiche in 2019, this restaurant is deeply committed to promoting wellness and environmental consciousness.

Natalia, a certified nutritionist, infuses her expertise into the restaurant's philosophy, ensuring that every dish not only tantalises the taste buds but also contributes to long-term health and well-being. Organic Market & Food is more than just a dining spot; it's a community dedicated to raising awareness about living consciously, returning to nature, and reducing the consumption of chemicals, processed foods, and industrialised products.

• Address: Centro Comercial Expo 14, Avenida Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, s/n 29602 Marbella
• Tel:+34 667 614 384
• Website: organicmarketfood.com

Rachel’s Eco Love Café

Located in the luxurious setting of the Puente Romano Beach Resort in Marbella and now also at the Hard Rock Hotel, Rachel’s Eco Love Café is known for its commitment to sustainable dining and eco-friendly practices, offering a menu rich in organic, locally sourced, and health-conscious options. This includes a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes, emphasising their dedication to catering to a diverse range of dietary needs.

The café is particularly celebrated for its colourful and nutrient-packed bowls, fresh smoothies, and specialty coffee drinks made with organic beans. Each item on the menu is crafted not only to be visually appealing but also to promote wellness and a healthy lifestyle. The interior of the café reflects its natural philosophy, featuring a bright and airy atmosphere with plenty of greenery and earthy tones, creating a peaceful oasis for catching up with friends or simply watching the world go by.

Rachel's Eco Love also hosts events and offers catering services, bringing their unique blend of health-conscious and environmentally friendly food to a wider audience. It's a perfect spot for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious meal that is both good for them and kind to the planet.

• Address: Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, Hotel Puente Romano, 29602, Marbella.
• Tel: +34 952 86 56 17
• Website: rachelsecolove.com

Celicioso

Celioso, set in the grounds of the prestigious Puente Romano Hotel, it prides itself on being a trendsetter in gluten-free dining, offering an enticing range of options that cater to both taste and health. In addition to their celebrated bakery items, Celicioso also serves a variety of gluten-free meals and snacks. Their menu features innovative dishes such as artisanal pizzas with gluten-free crusts and an array of gourmet sandwiches and burgers on gluten-free breads, all designed to offer a flavourful dining experience without compromise.

The café also caters to various dietary preferences with a selection of dairy-free and sugar-free alternatives, highlighting their commitment to inclusivity in dietary needs. The ambience of Celicioso is equally thoughtful, providing a contemporary and inviting space for diners to enjoy their meals in the bustling heart of Marbella's social scene.

For those looking to relax or catch up with friends, it offers a warm, inviting environment with indoor and outdoor seating options, perfect for enjoying the sunny Marbella weather alongside a coffee or one of their signature gluten-free desserts.

• Address: Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, 29602 Marbella, Málaga, Spain
• Tel: +34952859402
• Website: Celicioso Marbella

Manuka

Manuka is a distinctive dining destination in Marbella, known for its commitment to healthy, flavourful cuisine. With several locations including La Cañada, Plaza del Mar, Alanda Hotel, and Marina Banus, Manuka offers a convenient and refreshing dining experience. Each location boasts a unique ambience while maintaining the Manuka standard of quality and service.

Manuka's menu is crafted with a focus on health and flavour, ensuring that each dish is not only delicious but also nourishing. The restaurant's philosophy centres around providing quality food that caters to a variety of dietary preferences and needs, making it a go-to spot for health-conscious diners.

Check the Manuka website for Manuka’s locations and contact details

Keto Royale Kafé

Keto Royale Kafé, located in San Pedro Alcántara, stands out as the first 100% Ketogenic and Healthy Café in Spain. Opening its doors in February 2020, this family-run restaurant has quickly become a haven for those seeking a healthy yet delicious dining experience. The café prides itself on using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and preparing everything in-house, including their renowned Keto breads, desserts, and cakes. Emphasising a 100% sugar-free and gluten-free menu, Keto Royale caters to a health-conscious clientele without compromising on taste.

Keto Royale Kafé is more than just a place to eat; it's a destination where health meets taste. The café's commitment to ketogenic and healthy eating makes it a unique spot in Marbella for both locals and visitors.

• Address: C. Pintor Jose Caballero, 29670 San Pedro Alcántara
• Tel: +34 951 81 06 96
• Email: [email protected]

The Farm

Featuring a picturesque inner courtyard, The Farm styles itself as an ‘urban beach bar’ and is a haven for organic and locally-sourced fare, reflecting traditional Spanish cuisine with a healthy twist. This charming restaurant emphasises sustainable practices and offers a menu enriched by the freshest ingredients from local producers, with a ‘slow food, km 0 philosophy, where people can meet, connect with others, listen to music and disconnect from their day to day life’. Not only does The Farm do wonderful, healthy food, it also offers events, markets, pop up stores, workshops, yoga classes, live music and DJ sessions.

• Address: Plaza Altamirano 3, 29601 Marbella, Spain
• Tel: +34 952 82 25 57
• Website: The Farm

Wild Café

Wild Café in Estepona calls itself a ‘flexitarian eatery’, showcasing a passion for natural, organic ingredients with a menu that features both vegan and vegetarian options, where. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to adore this café, however, as every meal is prepared with care for health and flavour. Beautifully prepared and presented, the food can be enjoyed as much with the eyes as with the tastebuds. Wild Café is passionately committed to environmental sustainability and offers a lush, plant-festooned dining space whether you dine inside or outside on the patio.

• Address: Calle del Mare Nostrum s/n, Urb. Garden Beach, 29689, Estepona, Málaga
• Tel: +34 952 77 85 31
• Website: Wild Café

Estepona Gourmet Market - Mercado de Abastos

The Mercado de Abastos, the old food market in Estepona, has recently been totally reformed to its former glory as a central food market into a bustling gastronomic hub. This locale brings together a variety of food stalls and artisan vendors under one roof, offering a tapestry of tastes and a lively dining atmosphere. You can sit outside, inside at tables or, as is traditional, at bar stools at individual stalls in the market area. It’s a perfect spot for food lovers looking to explore local flavours and fresh produce.

• Address: Calle Villa, 29680 Estepona, Málaga, Spain
• Tel: +34 952 80 31 45
• Website: Estepona Market

As we draw our Guide to Healthy Eating in Marbella to a close, it's apparent that we've only begun to scratch the surface of what this vibrant town has to offer. Marbella's wealth of health and wellness locales, coupled with an array of exquisite yet health-conscious dining options, offers an abundance that we've only started to explore. Not to mention the plethora of beachside exercise classes, ranging from serene yoga sessions to high-energy Bootcamp workouts.

Moreover, the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables available at the numerous year-round markets along the coast is a testament to the town’s commitment to healthy living. This coastal gem is more than a destination; it's a haven for those in pursuit of diverse and enriching health and wellness experiences. In Marbella, every preference and lifestyle find its match, making it a true mecca for food and fitness enthusiasts.

Pia Arrieta, 13 May 2024 - Lifestyle - Living in Marbella