Casa Aranda

Casa Aranda: churros, tradition, and the smell of mornings in Málaga

If you wake up in Málaga and you do not end up at Casa Aranda… are you even doing it right?

× where churros are not a trend – they are a way of life

Since 1932, Casa Aranda has been serving churros long before brunch became a lifestyle and breakfasts turned into photo shoots. Tucked just a few steps away from Calle Larios, this legendary café is as essential to Málaga mornings as sunshine and street music.

Walk down the narrow alleyway and you will smell it before you see it: fried dough, coffee and a hint of nostalgia. This is not just breakfast. This is a ritual.

× the golden standard of churros

Forget the oversized porras from Madrid. Málaga does things its own way.

Casa Aranda’s churros are thin, crisp and dangerously addictive. Fried to order and served in generous portions, they are made to be dipped – ideally into a cup of thick, velvety hot chocolate that could almost stand up on its own. Or, if you are feeling local, pair them with a creamy café con leche.

Crispy on the outside, soft inside. Every bite feels like a warm handshake from southern Spain.

× more than just fried dough

Yes, the churros are the headliners. But the supporting cast is worth your attention too.

You can also order:

• Tostada con aceite y tomate, for those who prefer a savoury start to the day.
• A sweet, soft ensaimada with Balearic roots.
• Freshly squeezed orange juice, bright enough to wake you up without caffeine.

Casa Aranda proves that simple does not mean boring. It means done properly.

× a café that refuses to age

With its marble tabletops, wooden chairs and waiters in crisp white aprons weaving between the tables, Casa Aranda feels frozen in time in the best possible way. Sit outside and watch Málaga wake up while locals argue about football, politics and last night’s match between sips of coffee.

And despite the fame, it remains refreshingly unpretentious. No gimmicks. No rebranding. Just good people, good coffee and dough that has been fried the same way for almost a century.

× a local tradition with global fans

Ask someone from Málaga where to eat churros. Most will not answer – they will simply point.

Casa Aranda has welcomed politicians, painters, poets, tourists and taxi drivers – all with the same plate and the same smile. It is the kind of place where your neighbour might be sitting next to a film star, and nobody is paying attention because, frankly, the churros are more interesting.

Come after exploring the nearby Mercado de Atarazanas, or make it the very first stop of your day. Just make sure you arrive hungry.

× when to go, what to expect

📍 Location: Calle Herrería del Rey, 3 – a short stroll from Calle Larios or Alameda Principal.

🕒 Opening hours:

• Monday to Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. / 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

💶 Approximate prices:

• Churros: €2.50–€3.50
• Hot chocolate: €2.80–€3.50
• Coffee: €1.50–€2.50
• Full breakfast: around €7–10

× do not just visit – pause, dip and stay a while

Casa Aranda is not about fast food. It is about slow mornings, the comfort of knowing that some things are better unchanged, and the quiet rhythm of Málaga before the city fully wakes up.

Take your time. Dip the churro. Sip the chocolate. Listen to the clatter of cups and the hum of conversations.

When you leave, you will carry a piece of Málaga with you – on your fingertips, in your smile and very possibly on your shirt.