Georgina Recommends… Il Tartufo Marbella

Georgina Recommends… Il Tartufo Marbella

If you are looking for an authentic Italian meal in the heart of Marbella Old Town, this is definitely one to try. Il Tartufo is a little gem, with room for just 30 or so covers. It’s run by a friendly couple, with a cosy atmosphere, the service is second to none and the food is really excellent.

Location – This restaurant is in Marbella’s charming Old Town, close to the main road. Cross over from the Parque Alameda main crossing (by the big fountain) turn right and walk down to another fountain with a horse in it. Turn left into the Old Town here  and take the very first right, by the cafe, walk down this little street and it’s about half way down. If you get to Maverick Irish pub you’ve gone too far.

The Food – We were very impressed by the quality of food here, with everything cooked to perfection and high quality, specialist produce flown over from Italy. The chef is Italian and passionate about his cuisine and I’d say it would be hard to find a more authentic Italian restaurant in this area.

I had the risotto with prawns and asparagus which I would definitely recommend, and my partner opted for the pan fried sea bass with clams and mussels which were perfectly accompanied by a nice bottle of vino from the list. These were excellent but the highlight had to be pudding. We shared the tartufato which was totally scrummy and perfect with a good coffee.  It’s a dark chocolate pudding with almond, digestive biscuits and topped with cream and comes highly recommended.  

The Service – The staff were great.  Holly, one of the owners, was front of house and very welcoming and friendly, setting a nice atmosphere which is important in such a small restaurant. They were very attentive, always filling your glass up when needed, and making you feel like part of the family which was lovely.

The Décor/Atmosphere – The décor and atmosphere in Il Tartufo was inviting, warm, and simple. Not particularly Italian, more Mediterranean style décor, which suits the location well, and provides that cosy atmosphere.

The Price – Il Tartufo is not the place to come for a cheap pizza, rather a really delicious and high quality meal and this is reflected in the price.  Although it may be more expensive than other Italian style restaurants in the area, we had starters, mains, a dessert to share and drinks, and it was still under 50 euros per person. Given the quality of the food, drink and service, I think that’s good value and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Contact details – As this restaurant is so small, make sure you book a table before you arrive, the address, telephone number and Facebook page are all listed below.  

Il Tartufo, Calle Tetuan 9 Casco Antiguo, 29601 Marbella, España

0034951087323

Find Il Tartufo on Facebook