Top espeto champ in Torremolinos showdown: Where to sample the best espetos

Boats, sardines and glowing embers set the scene as Torremolinos hosted the 12th Costa del Sol Espeto Contest on Saturday, July 1. One dish stands out as the most typical from the Malaga area, and no one is in any doubt that it is the humble ‘espeto’, skewered sardines cooked over burning wood in a ‘morega’, a boat-shaped barbecue.

More than a dozen skilled cooks battled it out between two beach bars in Torremolinos right by the seafront promenade, all chasing the coveted title of best espeto maker on the coast.

Sergio Cerdán Cervantes walked away with the win, proving his sardines on sticks were the finest of the lot. Anyone hunting the best espeto in Spain right now should head straight to Torremolinos, where this competition has just crowned its champion.

What makes a perfect espeto

Good fish is the starting point, yet real skill lies in the details. Keep the skewers at just the right distance from the hot coals, add the proper amount of salt and treat the sardines with real care so they keep their natural oils instead of drying out. Those little touches separate an average espeto from a true winner.

Competition kicked off around 7pm with one cook after another stepping up to their stations. Everyone else waited their turn, patiently threading fresh sardines onto the long metal skewers while the coals stayed fiercely hot under the summer evening sky.

Family roots run deep in the sand

Tradition remains strong among the coastal cooks. One father-and-son team carried on a family craft that stretches across generations, the older man having first learned the technique as a boy of ten. Watching them work side by side showed how the craft passes down through real affection for the food and the place.

Beachside atmosphere and local pride

Crowds gathered for an easy-going afternoon of proper Malaga-style food at fair prices. The whole event sits between the sea and the sand, giving everyone a front-row view of the action. Espetos have long stood as a proud symbol of this stretch of coast, and the contest keeps that identity alive year after year.

Prize money of €1,000 went to the champion along with a trophy, while second and third places also collected cash and recognition. Still, the real reward for many was simply sharing the day, tasting the local catch and watching experts turn simple sardines into something special over open flames.

Torremolinos once again proved the perfect spot for this celebration of coastal cooking. If you fancy sampling the best espeto Spain has to offer, according to the latest contest results, this is the town to visit.

If anyone wants to sample the very best espetos, Sergio Cerdán Cervantes works at La Tómbola in Torremolinos at Paseo Maritimo Torremolinos, 115.