El Roqueo is one of the most reliably good seafood restaurants in La Carihuela, the old fishermen's quarter. It has been operating for decades, and the menu concentrates on the fried fish and grilled shellfish that the area is known for — gamba blanca (local white prawn), dorada a la sal (sea bream baked in salt), and fritura malagueña (the mixed fried fish that is the signature dish of the Costa del Sol).
The terrace faces the beach and fills up quickly in summer, so arrive early or expect to wait. Prices are reasonable for the quality, and the pescaíto frito (small fried fish) served as a starter is a meal in itself. The restaurant is on the main promenade of La Carihuela, easy to find by walking west from the town centre along the beach.