Unico Restaurante Italiano

Unico Restaurante Italiano opened its doors in central Malaga in mid-2025 and has since gained a reputation for serving the best Italian food in town. And when we say ‘best’, think the prime produce that Italy is so famous for, cooked fresh to order every time.

“We want diners to feel that they’ve stepped into the authentic Italy as soon as they walk through our front door.”

Alex, co-owner of Unico

This attention to the ingredients and preparation translates to delicious plates of antipasti, carpaccios, pasta, meat dishes and desserts, all oozing flavour and melting in your mouth. Not for nothing does Unico Restaurante Italiano have top reviews on platforms like The Fork and Google.

What’s Unico about?

Brothers Michael (the chef) and Alex (maître d’) hail from Latina, a province south of Rome, and aim to bring the true essence of Italian cooking to Malaga. Their menu is carefully crafted, with just a few choices, reflecting seasonal produce and flavour.

They believe dining should be a sensory experience – dishes are beautifully presented and combine a full range of flavours – and one to be savoured at a leisurely pace. If you love fine dining while you relax, Unico Restaurante Italiano is the place to go in Malaga.  

What’s on the menu at Unico Restaurante Italiano?

Starters

Six entrées get your meal off to the best start at this Italian restaurant. Prime produce sits under the spotlight – think burrata, local tuna, Bologna Mortadela and (obviously) parmigiano reggiano – the house one has been matured for 30 months.

You can also go for one of the two carpaccios (or have both!). The tuna version pairs perfectly with the crispy guanciale (similar to bacon) and the touch of citrus sauce, while the beef carpaccio comes with caramelised pear with a sprinkle of thyme.

Unico Restaurante Italiano always has a daily special – perhaps a salad, maybe a risotto or a new pasta. Be sure to ask what it is.

Mains

Again, there’s just a short list. Pasta (homemade of course) takes pride of place. Fettucine come with a shrimp bisque, butter and red prawns, the house gnocchi pair with ragout and a parmesan crisp and the spagnetti get a simple but flavoursome margherita sauce. If you’d like rice, go for the house risotto, with that 30-month parmigiano reggiano, guanciale and caramelised hazelnuts – a carousel of flavours!

After your pasta or rice (or instead of), there are two meat mains and one fish. Sea beam in this case, with potato mousse and marinated red onion.

Portions are well-sized, but you’re not overwhelmed with oodles of pasta.

Desserts

Tiramisu stands centre stage and if you’re a fan, the Unico Restaurante Italiano version will more than deliver – regulars at this restaurant ask the team to save them a portion as soon as they walk in the door! Other sweet treats include cheesecake and lemon tart.

You might be in luck and be offered baba, a Neopolitan dessert icon. The house version comes soaked in rum and literally melts in your mouth.

Note that cream in the desserts is real and made daily. (Such a refreshing change in Malaga where ‘cream’ is usually UHT or out of a tube.)

What about vegetarians?

At first glance, you might not think any of the dishes cater for non-meat and fish eaters, but mention you’re a veggie and the team will adapt any of the dishes. Just ask!

What’s in your glass at this Italian restaurant?

As you might expect, fine Italian wine. The curated list of wines comes from all over the country, picked to pair perfectly with the dishes on the menu. Alex has selected the wines as complements to the dishes – ask him for advice when choosing yours.

Wine prices

The few wines available by glass cost €6 to €8. Bottles cost from €25 to €75, with most in the €25-35 price range. The stand-out exception is a 2020 Pio Cesare from Barolo, with a price tag of €105. Why not treat yourselves?

Other bevande

If you prefer something else, Unico Restaurante Italiano has a good beer list, flanked by local Malaga beer Victoria but including several Italian brands as well. Liqueur lovers will enjoy the exceptional Disaronno and Limoncello. And of course, you could start your meal with an Aperol Spritz; the house-crafted version was so good it took us right back to Piazza Unità d’Italia in Trieste (our previously best Aperol to date!).

Prices at Unico Restaurante Italiano

We’ve included this Italian restaurant in Malaga in our treat yourselve venues because our tastebuds were truly tickled and satisfied. The dishes are on a level with the best in Italy, so if you’re a fan of the best Italian cuisine, head for this restaurant.

When it comes to price, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised especially when you weigh up the quality-price ratio. We know many pizza restaurants with pretty average food and main dishes that come out at around €15. Unico Restaurante is more expensive, but not much.

Starters – €14 to €22

Main dishes – €15 to €30

Desserts – €7 to €10

Expect to spend €70 to €90 for a two, including a couple of drinks and a shared dessert.

Service

The welcome is warm and friendly – after all, you are in Malaga and have just stepped into Italy! Alex and his team go out of the way to explain the dishes, so you know exactly what to expect when your choices arrive. The staff speak several languages, including Spanish, English and French.

Location and ambience

Relaxed and calm – a refreshing change if you’re dining as a couple or a small group. Most Italian restaurants in Malaga are boisterous eating experiences – which also have their place – but we enjoyed the chilled vibe at Unico Restaurante Italiano. Unlike many restaurants in town, the acoustics are good, and we were able to enjoy our meal and the conversation.

Most tables are for two, although there’s seating for four as well. Outside dining is limited to just two tables for two, but that adds to the intimate feel of the restaurant.

Décor is simple – raffia design in the wall hangings and light fittings, with a neutral colour palette for the seating. Don’t miss the ‘wall of fame’, with several famous faces peeping out, and the ‘cut-out’ Vespa to the right of the bar.

Accessibility

Unico Restaurante Italiano is fully accessible for wheelchairs.