Welcome to our Intimate Living Room Restaurant!
La Mar Chica has a maximum of 8 tables, so we can give personal attention to each guest.
Our dishes change regularly, to allow for our creativity and being able to work with the amazing ingredients the seasons offer, from small local producers.
We offer a Tasting Menu of 4, 5, 6 or 7 dishes, and optional wine pairing available. The menus are always accompanied by homemade snacks and bread.
​
Dutch head chef and owner Dennis Van Tintelen composes the ever-changing menu with inspiration from his international experience in Michelin star restaurants, and his favourite culinary corners of the world, be it New Nordic cuisine, Spanish or Asian...
​Restaurant La Mar Chica is located in the typical Andalusian White Village of Benalmádena Pueblo, with narrow cobblestone streets and flowers in front of every house. Benalmádena Pueblo is a short drive from the coast between Malaga and Marbella on Costa Del Sol, Spain.
​
We look forward to welcoming you!
Dennis & Kikki
​
WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY ABOUT US...
*****
"If there is a better restaurant than La Mar Chica, in Andalusia, then I’m yet to find it.
It is a small, intimate restaurant which has 8 tables. Situated in Benalmádena Pueblo.
It offers tasting menus of between 4 to 7 courses. We chose the 7 course menu, priced around €74.
The menus are available online.
The food is exquisite, dishes are superbly presented with imagination. They taste extraordinarily good.
Service is exemplary, the two front of house ladies are friendly, efficient and make the place run like clockwork.
The magnificent chef visits the tables every now and then giving an explanation of the contents of the dishes he is delivering. This is done by the staff every time they deliver. Our recommended wine matched or dishes perfectly.
I recommend you visit the restaurant unreservedly."
​
*****
Small, star-quality restaurant!
​
"This was the perfect dining experience from start to finish.
Booking was easy but necessary as the restaurant is small and deservedly very popular.
All the staff were very friendly, even spotted we were hot as we had rushed to be on time and provided us with hand fans - lovely touch.
They were all extremely knowledgeable about the food.
The evening started with a refreshing aperitif. We chose a reasonably priced bottle of wine. What then followed an amazing amuse bouche and then 4 courses of the most delicious and beautifully presented food I have ever eaten. Think taste explosions and works of art. Each course was explained in detail.
The owners Kikki and Dennis (chef) and their staff attended our table with each course explaining dishes and making sure we were happy. We were more than happy and will return every time we visit. What a find!"
​
*****
If you only dine out once in Benalmádena – make sure it’s here!
​
"La Mar Chica is nothing short of extraordinary. And it’s not just about the stunning dishes - exquisite and resembling tiny works of art - it’s the personal touch that makes this place truly special.
The setting is dreamy: fine dining with only eight tables, unfolding amidst a timeless local scene - neighbors chatting outside their doorsteps as they have for generations, a grandfather discreetly glancing down from a tiny balcony, life moving gently around you.
Everything in perfect harmony. Dennis and Kikki make every guest feel seen.
We loved chatting with them, and even though you can imagine how busy they must be, they still made time for us.
How often are you welcomed by the chef himself? How often does he thank you personally before you leave? For Chef Dennis, this seems to be an essential part of the experience.
We had looked forward to this evening for an entire year - and needless to say, it was not only worth the wait, it exceeded every expectation."
​
(Source: TripAdvisor, July 2025)
About us
​
We are Dennis and Kikki, we opened La Mar Chica in March 2019 with the passion of providing guests a personal restaurant experience with focus on high quality at affordable prices.
We take great pride in making everything homemade - from our bread to ice cream - to ensure flavours and quality! And simply because we cannot help it!
We cook with what's in season and you'll often find us foraging in the Andalusian nature for produce to use in our menu.
​
Dennis is from the Netherlands, and has more than 20 years of experience as chef from across the World; the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Caribbean and Spain. He is schooled in the classical French cooking, with experience from working in Michelin restaurants and from his two previous restaurants he owned in the Netherlands.
​
Kikki, originally from Denmark, has International hospitality and event management experience. She is responsible for front of house, and for selecting our favourite wines and making our homemade liquers.
​
We look forward to welcoming you into our living-room restaurant!
​
​
​
​
Dennis & Kikki
Restaurant La Mar Chica
