Best Asian Food in Marbella 2026: 11 Restaurants From Pad Thai to Peking Duck to Nikkei

Twenty years ago, “Asian food in Marbella” meant a mediocre Chinese buffet near the bus station. Today, Marbella has a Nobu inside Puente Romano, a COYA serving Nikkei cuisine to a crowd that looks like a fashion editorial, a Thai Gallery that has been refining Royal Thai cuisine for over a decade, and a Koi on the Golden Mile that reopened in 2025 with a redesigned interior featuring a skylight, waterfall, and enough greenery to qualify as a botanical garden. The Asian food scene in Marbella now spans Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian), Pan-Asian fusion and everything in between — and the quality at the top end rivals London, Dubai and Singapore. This guide covers 14 restaurants organised by cuisine, with verified addresses, honest opinions and the signature dishes you should order. For Japanese/sushi specifically, see our dedicated sushi guide. For broader Marbella dining, see our restaurant guide. According to Andalusia’s gastronomy board, the Costa del Sol’s international dining scene is now one of the most diverse in southern Europe.

🇹🇭 Thai

1. Thai Gallery — Puente Romano

Royal Thai cuisine inside Puente Romano — the gold standard for over a decade. Thai Gallery has been serving the highest standard of Thai food on the Costa del Sol from its home in Plaza Village at Puente Romano since the mid-2010s. The traditional Thai cuisine, combined with elegant décor (silk, teak, orchids, Buddha sculptures) and attentive service, creates an experience that transports you to Bangkok’s finest restaurants. The ingredients are imported directly from Thailand for authenticity.

🍽️ The order: The Pad Thai is the benchmark — perfectly balanced sweet, sour, salty, with fresh lime and crushed peanuts. The Green Curry (gaeng khiao wan) with chicken or prawns is rich, fragrant and properly spicy. The Tom Kha Gai (coconut chicken soup with galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime) is soul food. The Som Tam (green papaya salad) is crunchy and vibrant. The Mango Sticky Rice for dessert — if available — is the only way to end.

💡 Curious fact: Thai Gallery and Sukhothai are sister restaurants owned by the same family — Thai Gallery at Puente Romano is the formal, elegant experience; Sukhothai on the boulevard is the more accessible, modern version. Many regulars alternate between both depending on mood.

📍 Plaza Village, Puente Romano Beach Resort, Av. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe s/n · 💰 €40-€70/person · 📞 952 818 392 · ⏰ Dinner only 19:00-00:00 daily · 🌐 thaigallerymarbella.com

2. Sukhothai by Thai Gallery — C.C. Marbella Mar, Golden Mile

The sister restaurant — same Thai excellence, more modern setting, slightly more accessible. Sukhothai occupies a sleek, mirrored space in Centro Comercial Marbella Mar on the Golden Mile. The purple modern décor with oriental sculptures gives it a more contemporary feel than Thai Gallery, but the cuisine is equally authentic — the same supply chain, the same commitment to traditional Royal Thai recipes. Rated 4.3 on Google with 360+ reviews and consistently described as “the best Thai in Marbella.”

🍽️ The order: The Tom Yam Goong (hot and sour prawn soup) is “strongly advised” by reviewers — complex, spicy, deeply satisfying. The Ginger Chicken is a comfort-food classic done right. The Duck preparations are excellent. The Prawn dishes showcase the quality of imported Thai ingredients.

📍 C.C. Marbella Mar, Av. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, L-3A, Golden Mile · 💰 €30-€50/person · 📞 952 770 550 · ⏰ Mon-Sat 19:30-00:30 · 🌐 sukhothaimarbella.com

🇨🇳 Chinese

3. Tai Pan — Puente Romano

Chinese-Asian fine dining inside Puente Romano — Peking duck carved tableside. Tai Pan (now called New Tai Pan) offers a Chinese-Asian fine dining experience that blends Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian flavours. Located inside Puente Romano, the restaurant has been serving Marbella’s international elite for years. The Peking duck is the centrepiece — carved tableside with ceremony, served with pancakes, spring onion and hoisin sauce.

🍽️ The order: The Peking Duck (order in advance — 24-48 hours recommended) is legendary. The Spring Rolls are crispy and fresh. The Chicken Satay with peanut sauce is excellent. The Dumplings (meat-filled, steamed or fried) are well-executed. The Lobster in Black Bean Sauce is the luxury option.

💡 Curious fact: Tai Pan shares ownership with Thai Gallery and Sukhothai — the same family runs all three, creating a mini-empire of Asian dining excellence on the Golden Mile. Between the three restaurants, they cover Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisines with genuine expertise.

📍 Puente Romano Beach Resort, Av. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe s/n · 💰 €50-€80/person · 🦆 Peking Duck (order 24-48h ahead) · ⏰ Dinner only

🇯🇵🇵🇪 Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian)

4. Nobu — Puente Romano

The global icon — Japanese-Peruvian fusion, Black Cod Miso, Bellini cocktails. Nobu needs no introduction. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature fusion is served in a glamorous dining room overlooking La Plaza at Puente Romano. The experience is as much about the energy of the room and the international crowd as the food. See our sushi guide for full details.

🍽️ The order: Black Cod Miso (the dish that made Nobu famous worldwide). Yellowtail Jalapeño. Rock Shrimp Tempura. Cocktails at the bar before dinner.

📍 Puente Romano Beach Resort, Golden Mile · 💰 €80-€150/person · 🍸 Signature cocktails · 🌐 noburestaurants.com

5. COYA — Puente Romano

Peruvian-Nikkei fine dining with DJs, pisco sours and an atmosphere that makes dinner feel like an event. COYA is the London-born concept (also in Dubai, Monte Carlo, Mykonos) that fuses Peruvian cuisine with Japanese and Chinese influences. The Marbella location at Puente Romano is stunning — open-air design, resident DJs, striking interior, and a crowd that dresses up. The food is as good as the scene: innovative, complex, and beautifully presented.

🍽️ The order: The Ceviche de Tuna is the most-ordered starter — fresh, citrusy, perfectly balanced. The Arroz Nikkei (Nikkei rice) is rich and umami-packed. The Anticuchos (Peruvian skewers) are smoky and tender. The Pisco Sour is the cocktail to open with. The Corn Bread with chilli butter arrives warm and disappears in seconds.

💡 Curious fact: COYA is so popular that summer reservations must be made 1-2 weeks ahead. The atmosphere peaks between 22:00-23:30 when the DJ, the cocktails and the crowd combine into something closer to a club than a restaurant. Book the terrace for the best experience.

📍 Puente Romano Beach Resort, Golden Mile · 💰 €70-€120/person · 🎧 Resident DJs · 🍸 Pisco Sour bar · 🌐 coyarestaurant.com

🌏 Pan-Asian

6. Koi — Golden Mile

Reopened 2025, completely redesigned — the Golden Mile’s Pan-Asian destination. Koi reopened on the Golden Mile in 2025 with a brand-new interior: large skylight flooding the space with natural light, lush greenery, a tranquil waterfall, and a design that transports you to the heart of Asia. The menu blends Japanese, Thai and Chinese cuisine — sushi, sashimi, dim sum, wok-fried dishes, grilled specialities and signature cocktails. The sushi chefs prepare each piece with precision at the open counter.

🍽️ The order: The Wagyu Tataki is the wow dish. The Dim Sum selection (har gow, siu mai, crystal prawn dumplings) is beautifully executed. The Pad Thai with prawns is generous. The Crispy Duck is excellent. Cocktails are strong — the Lychee Martini is the house signature.

📍 Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso Hohenlohe 39, Golden Mile · 💰 €40-€70/person · 📞 952 770 760 · 🌐 koimarbella.com · 🆕 Reopened 2025

7. Beast — Forum, Golden Mile

Pan-Asian eatery meets nightlife — sushi, curries, cocktails, DJs, and the Forum crowd. Beast occupies a prime spot in the newly reformed Forum complex on the Golden Mile, fusing modern street-style aesthetics with art deco design — funky greens, back-lit bar, and an energy that transitions from afternoon drinks to dinner to late-night cocktails seamlessly. Chef Erick leads the hot kitchen with a menu spanning sushi, Thai curries, Korean dishes, dim sum and grilled specialities. Open daily from 13:00 until late — one of the few Asian restaurants in Marbella where the party continues after the last plate.

🍽️ The order: The Crying Tiger Beef is the signature — tender, smoky, with Thai nam jim jaew dipping sauce. The Char Siu Chicken (Cantonese-style glazed chicken) is sweet, sticky and excellent. The Bibimbap (Korean rice bowl with vegetables, bibimbap sauce, fried egg) is comfort food done right. The Soft-Shell Crab Tempura is crispy and addictive. The Duck Red Curry is described by one reviewer as “out of this world.” Sushi is fresh and well-presented. Cocktails are creative and strong.

💡 Curious fact: Beast is designed to be as much a nightlife venue as a restaurant — live music, dancers, and DJ sets create a vibe that gets louder as the evening progresses. If you want a quiet dinner conversation, book early (14:00-18:00). If you want the full Beast experience — food, cocktails, music, energy — arrive after 21:00. The Forum location (next to Florentine and Fisherman’s Daughter) means you can restaurant-hop through three different concepts in one evening without crossing a street. Also delivers via Uber Eats.

📍 Av. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe 7, Forum, Golden Mile · 💰 €40-€70/person · 🎧 DJs + live music · 🍣 Sushi bar + hot kitchen · ⏰ Daily 13:00-late · 🛵 Uber Eats delivery

8. Tuk Tuk Asian Fusion — Nueva Andalucía

The hidden gem in Aloha Gardens — waterfall, terrace, Japanese-Thai fusion. Tuk Tuk is tucked inside Aloha Gardens in Nueva Andalucía, surrounded by a stunning waterfall and lush vegetation. Contemporary design, sunlight filtering through greenery, and a terrace that makes outdoor dining feel tropical. The menu fuses Japanese and Thai cuisines — sushi rolls alongside Thai curries, tempura next to pad thai.

🍽️ The order: The Signature Rolls (creative sushi with tropical ingredients) are the standout. The Korean Chicken is described as “the best ever — you have to try it.” The Duck dishes are “really tasty.” The Wok Noodles with vegetables are satisfying for lighter appetites. The waterfall setting makes every dish taste better.

💡 Curious fact: Tuk Tuk is one of the few restaurants that Nueva Andalucía residents describe as “the one restaurant we come back to every time we are in Marbella.” It is genuinely hidden — if you do not know it is inside Aloha Gardens, you will never find it.

📍 Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía · 💰 €30-€50/person · 🌊 Waterfall setting · Best for: dinner with atmosphere, date night

8. Maï — Marbella

Pan-Asian with excellent value — Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese under one roof. Maï consistently surprises newcomers with the quality of its sushi, wok dishes, curries and desserts at prices well below the Marbella average. Reviews repeatedly use the phrase “great value for money.” The menu is extensive (Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese) and the atmosphere is welcoming. See our sushi guide for the Japanese side.

🍽️ The order: The Thai Green Curry is the most-ordered main. The Sushi Selection is fresh and well-priced. The Vietnamese Spring Rolls (fresh, rice-paper, with peanut sauce) are a light starter. The Wok-Fried Noodles are satisfying comfort food.

📍 Marbella · 💰 €20-€40/person · 🍣 Best value Pan-Asian in Marbella

9. Mao — Beach Club Setting

Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese with poolside vibes. Part of a larger beach club complex, Mao offers a pan-Asian menu in a poolside setting with live entertainment. The atmosphere is poetic: facing the sea, full of serenity. The Peking Duck, Lemon Curry Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken and Pork Belly are all well-prepared. The presentation sometimes outshines the flavour, but the overall experience — food, setting, atmosphere — is excellent.

🍽️ The order: Peking Duck (well-prepared, crispy skin). Kung Pao Chicken (classic Sichuan heat). Stir-fried Mushrooms (unexpectedly good). Pork Belly (slow-cooked, tender).

📍 Marbella beachfront · 💰 €40-€60/person · 🏖️ Pool + beach club · 🎵 Live entertainment

🇮🇳 Indian

10. Maa Indian Restaurant — Marbella

“Still the best Indian restaurant in the Marbella area” — and it is not even close. Maa has dominated the Indian dining scene in Marbella for years. The service (particularly the legendary Atef Khan) transforms dinner into an experience. The food is authentic, well-spiced, generous, and arrives at exactly the right temperature. In a city with limited Indian options, Maa is not just the best — it is the standard.

🍽️ The order: The Lamb Rogan Josh is rich and deeply spiced. The Chicken Tikka Masala is the comfort classic. The Garlic Naan is essential (hot, buttery, addictive). The Prawn Bhuna is the seafood highlight. Order a Mango Lassi if you cannot handle the heat.

📍 Marbella · 💰 €25-€40/person · 🇮🇳 Best Indian on the Costa del Sol · ⭐ Consistently top-rated

🇰🇷 Korean & Emerging

11. Korean Chicken Spots & Food Trucks

The growing scene — Korean fried chicken, bibimbap, kimchi. Marbella’s Korean food scene is still emerging, but Korean fried chicken has arrived with force — several restaurants and pop-ups now serve double-fried, sauced chicken that rivals any K-food spot in London. Tuk Tuk’s Korean chicken is frequently cited as outstanding. Keep an eye on Instagram for pop-up Korean BBQ events during summer — the scene is growing fast.

📍 Various locations · 💰 €15-€30/person · 🍗 Korean fried chicken spreading fast

Which Asian Restaurant for Which Night?

If you want…	Go to
The best Thai in Marbella	Thai Gallery (Puente Romano, formal) or Sukhothai (Golden Mile, modern)
Peking Duck carved tableside	Tai Pan (Puente Romano, order 24-48h ahead)
Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei) + scene	COYA (DJs, pisco sours, dress up) or Nobu (Black Cod Miso)
Pan-Asian with cocktails, Golden Mile	Koi (reopened 2025, waterfall, skylight)
Hidden gem, waterfall, Nueva Andalucía	Tuk Tuk (Aloha Gardens, Japanese-Thai fusion)
Best value Pan-Asian, no fuss	Maï (€20-€40, everything good)
Indian — the real deal	Maa (best Indian on the Costa del Sol)
Sushi specifically	See our dedicated sushi guide (12 restaurants)

The Honest Truth About Asian Food in Marbella

✅ What Marbella does well Thai: genuinely excellent — Thai Gallery/Sukhothai family is the real deal Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei): world-class at Nobu and COYA Pan-Asian fusion: strong at Koi, Tuk Tuk, multiple options Sushi: outstanding — see our sushi guide Chinese (fine dining): Tai Pan at Puente Romano

⚠️ What’s still missing Authentic Chinese (street-style): no dim sum specialist, no Cantonese roast, no Sichuan hotpot Vietnamese: no dedicated pho restaurant yet Korean: emerging but no dedicated Korean BBQ restaurant Malaysian / Indonesian: virtually absent Street food culture: no Asian hawker market or food hall (yet)