Restaurant · Caminito del Rey and El Chorro
El Kiosko Restaurant
Choose a day and party sizeInformation
- Price
- €€€€
- Where
- Ardales
El Kiosko is a family-run eatery on the shore of the Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir, in the municipality of Ardales, a few metres from the Sillón del Rey and on the road to the north entrance to the Caminito del Rey. It began in the 1950s as a drinks kiosk for the reservoir's fishermen and bathers; it was founded by Juan Hidalgo Naranjo and is now run by his children. Beside the restaurant are still the shop, where you can buy water and things for your rucksack, and six holiday cottages.
Tapas, stews and a terrace over the reservoir
The cooking is traditional Málaga fare with seasonal produce: starters and salads, cured meats and cheeses, a long list of tapas and raciones, meat, fish and home-style stews, and desserts made in-house. It is food for sharing at the table, at roadside prices rather than destination-restaurant ones; the website doesn't publish a menu with prices, so ask about the dishes of the day.
It has air-conditioned dining rooms, which are also used for celebrations, and a large terrace with views of the reservoir and the surrounding mountains.
Breakfast before the checkpoint, lunch on the way back
The website gives kitchen hours of 8:30 to 24:00, with no closing days published. It serves breakfast from 8:30, and it is the nearest place with a kitchen to the north entrance: from here to the access checkpoint it is about 35 minutes on foot along the 2.7 km path, so have breakfast in good time and set off with your slot time in mind.
If you finish the walk at El Chorro, the shuttle has a stop beside the restaurant, so you can eat here on the way back to the north car park. If you end up eating on the south side, the La Garganta restaurant is in the El Chorro hamlet itself.
What's nearby
A few steps away are the reservoir viewpoints and the Sillón del Rey, a short, free walk for the afternoon. Parque Ardales campsite, with kayak hire, is on the same shore. If you want to sleep right here, the house rents the El Kiosko cottages, sleeping two, four and six.
Who it suits
It works for families and groups doing the Caminito who want to eat without getting back in the car, and for anyone after good-value tapas with a view of the water. If you are looking for chef-driven cooking, this isn't the place.
What to order: tapas and raciones to share, a dish-of-the-day stew and a homemade dessert; breakfasts too, before the walk.
Practical details
- Phone
- +34 952 11 23 82
- Opening hours
- Mon–Sun08:30–23:59
- Cuisine
- Málaga, home cooking
House specialities
- Tapas and raciones
- Home-style stews
- Homemade desserts
Tips
- Have breakfast with time in hand Between the restaurant and the entrance checkpoint there are 2.7 km of path: allow 35 minutes on foot.
- Call on a winter Monday The website doesn't publish closing days; out of season, confirm on 952 11 23 82.
- Water for the walk Buy water at the shop next door before you set off.
Frequently asked questions
Is it near the Caminito entrance?
Yes, on the road to the north entrance, next to a shuttle stop and 2.7 km on foot from the access checkpoint.
What time does the kitchen open?
According to its website, from 8:30 to 24:00. Confirm closing days by phone.
Does El Kiosko have a terrace?
Yes, a large one with views of the Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir, as well as air-conditioned dining rooms.
Can you sleep there?
Yes, it rents six cottages next to the restaurant, sleeping two, four and six.
As a familyWith friends