Mercado de Abastos Estepona
At a Glance
Best Time
8-11am
Vendors
11+ stalls
Speciality
Gourmet
Price Level
€€
Parking
Nearby
Local Tip
Open 7 days a week - Unlike traditional Spanish markets that close on Sundays, this gastronomic hall is open daily from 11am to 11pm. Perfect for evening dining when other markets are shut.
Video Tour of Mercado de Abastos Estepona
Where to Stay in Estepona
Find the best hotels near the market. We recommend staying in the city center for easy access.
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What You'll Find
Highlights
What is Mercado de Abastos?
Mercado de Abastos de Estepona isn't a traditional food market, it's a 950-square-metre gastronomic food hall in the heart of Estepona's old town.
After a major renovation completed in March 2024, the historic 1949 building has been transformed into a dining destination with five restaurants and six specialty shops.
Think of it as Estepona's answer to a modern food hall: you can browse gourmet products, pick a restaurant, and enjoy a leisurely meal in a beautifully restored historic space.
The venue is managed by Nation Food, specialists in gastronomic concepts.
History of Mercado de Abastos
The market's story spans seven decades of Estepona's development:
1949: Built as a postwar municipal food market, serving as the town's central hub for fish, meat, fruit, and vegetables. For nearly 70 years, it was where locals bought their daily provisions.
2018: The market closed for an extensive renovation led by the town council, part of a wider program to revitalise Estepona's old town.
March 2024: Reopened as a gastronomic hall with a completely new concept - restaurants and specialty retail rather than traditional market stalls.
The building sits near San Luis Castle walls and the Roman Mausoleum (4th century AD), placing it in one of Estepona's most historic corners.
Restaurants at Mercado de Abastos
The food hall features five distinct restaurants, each specialising in different cuisines:
La Lonja
The seafood specialist. Fresh fish prepared daily, drawing on Estepona's fishing heritage. This is your choice for pescaíto frito, grilled fish, and traditional Andalucian seafood dishes.
Steak and Sons
For meat lovers. Premium steaks and grilled meats in a relaxed setting. Good selection of cuts, properly aged and cooked to order.
Garden
Asian-influenced cuisine with wok-cooked dishes. A lighter option if you want something different from traditional Spanish fare.
Bella Ciao
Italian restaurant serving handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza. Family-friendly with crowd-pleasing options.
Additional Dining
A fifth restaurant space rotates concepts, offering variety throughout the year. Check current offerings on arrival.
What to Expect: Prices and Portions
Budget roughly €35 per person for a full meal with drinks. Individual restaurant menus range from €17-25 for main courses.
A unique feature: the specialty shops will prepare a custom meal from their products. Buy cheese, ham, and wine, and they'll plate it for you to enjoy in the communal seating areas.
Specialty Shops
Six retail outlets complement the restaurants:
- Olive oil specialists - Extra virgin oils from Andalucian producers
- Wine merchants - Regional wines from Málaga, Ronda, and beyond
- Cheese shops - Artisan Spanish cheeses including manchego and local varieties
- Preserves and conservas - Tinned seafood, pickled vegetables, traditional Spanish pantry items
- Gourmet delicatessen - Cured meats, premium ingredients for home cooking
- Local products - Honey, nuts, and regional specialties
When to Visit
The hall operates on restaurant hours, not traditional market hours:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Sunday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Best times:
- Lunch (13:00-15:00): Full restaurant service, good atmosphere
- Evening (19:00-21:00): Liveliest period, arrive early for best seating
- Afternoon (15:00-18:00): Quieter, ideal for browsing shops
Note: This is one of the few food venues in Estepona open seven days a week, including Sundays when most restaurants observe a day off.
Location and Nearby Attractions
Mercado de Abastos sits on Calle Villa in Estepona's pedestrianised old town. Within a 5-minute walk:
- Roman Mausoleum (4th century AD) - Archaeological site just metres away
- San Luis Castle walls - Medieval fortification remnants
- Plaza de las Flores - The town's famous flower square
- Estepona beaches - 10-minute walk to the seafront
Getting There
- On foot: Central location, easily walkable from anywhere in the old town
- By car: Nearest parking at Plaza del Carmen underground car park
- By bus: Estepona bus station is 10 minutes' walk
Do's
- Visit for dinner - the evening atmosphere is excellent
- Try the custom meal service from specialty shops
- Explore the surrounding old town streets before or after
- Book ahead for weekend dinners at popular restaurants
- Take advantage of Sunday opening when elsewhere is closed
Don'ts
- Expect a traditional market - this is a food hall
- Arrive too late on busy nights - seating fills up
- Skip the specialty shops - they have excellent products
- Miss the Roman Mausoleum just outside
- Forget this is open later than typical Spanish dining hours
Beyond the Market
While Mercado de Abastos is Estepona's main gastronomic hall, the town has more to explore. Check our guide to all markets in Estepona for the Sunday Rastro and other options.
Location & Map
C. Villa, 0, Estepona, Málaga, 29680, Estepona
Frequently Asked Questions
Mercado de Abastos is open daily from 11am to 11pm, seven days a week including Sundays. This makes it one of the few dining venues in Estepona open every day.
No, it's a gastronomic food hall. After a 2024 renovation, the historic 1949 building now houses 5 restaurants and 6 specialty shops rather than traditional market stalls. It's a dining destination, not a produce market.
Budget around €35 per person for a full meal with drinks. Individual restaurant menus range from €17-25. The specialty shops also offer a custom meal service where they plate products for you to eat on-site.
The food hall has 5 restaurants: La Lonja (seafood), Steak and Sons (premium meats), Garden (Asian wok), Bella Ciao (Italian pasta and pizza), plus a rotating concept space.
Yes, unlike most traditional Spanish markets and many restaurants, Mercado de Abastos is open every day including Sundays, from 11am to 11pm.
The market is on Calle Villa in Estepona's pedestrianised old town, near the Roman Mausoleum (4th century) and San Luis Castle walls. It's a 10-minute walk from the beach.
The nearest parking is Plaza del Carmen underground car park. The old town itself is pedestrianised, so you'll need to park outside and walk in.
The market reopened in March 2024 after an extensive renovation. Originally built in 1949 as a traditional food market, it closed in 2018 for redevelopment into its current gastronomic hall format.
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