We were excited about having dinner at Malaga last night. Let me start with the positives: Ample parking behind the building. The exterior is attractive and well maintained. We did not have a reservation but were seated promptly at one of several tables for two. We were warmly greeted by the service staff. They were very friendly and attentive. The service was outstanding. The dining room was comfortable with a nice ambiance. I started with a bowl of gazpacho. It was fresh and flavorful but had too much oil. (Having lived in Spain for 2 years I think I have a pretty good idea of what good gazpacho is.) My wife had the soup of the day, garbanzo bean....sort of a Spanish version of pasta figoli. She enjoyed it although it could have been hotter. She had a seafood dish for her entree. Lobster, clams, mussels and scallops in a tomato based broth. It was delicious and plentiful. I had the small steak. Sorry to say, I was disappointed. I was told it was grilled but there were no grill marks. My guess, it was broiled. Ordered medium rare and it was rare, almost raw. Served with green beans which were over cooked and lukewarm. Also came with some thin sliced homemade potato chips. They looked nice and crisp but were quite soggy. We passed on dessert. We might go back for another try, but I'll definitely order something different. Oh, can't forget, my wife enjoyed the sangria! It's mainly my meal that caused 3 stars, otherwise the rating would be higher. read more

This is my favorite restaurant by far! I was here on my birthday and then when my aunt and uncle came for a visit. I come here several times a year and would visit more frequently, except I like to keep it as a special place. The food is predominantly Portuguese seafood. There's beef and chicken and veal and pork though, so you'll find something you'll like. It's all amazing. We had anchovies for an appetizer. These are not like the salty canned ones. They look like tiny little cleaned fishes with a drizzling of olive oil and garlic, and a lemon to squeeze over. They are arranged on the plate, look a bit like fresh sardines (though a little smaller) and they are delicious!!! We also had the empanadas, which are dough packets filled with seasoned meat and deep-fried and served with a sauce. Oh my gosh, they are sooooo good. I got the paella, and it came with all the seafood and chicken and sausage mixed into saffron rice. Delicious and more than enough for two meals. Way more than enough! Desert was a light delicious flan that was very creamy The setting is a little dressy. I wouldn't wear shorts and a tank-top here, but you also don't need a tie and jacket. Office casual is fine. This is a top-notch place! read more

From outside nothing special Inside Food GREAT Service GREAT VALUE GREAT Sangria GREAT We had Pork Chops and a Salmon Special Had to take half home Apps were wonderful octopus as well as empanadas Went during Covid 19 They are prepared and adhere to rules Plus food is just great as are the people read more

Food is always top notch. I enjoy going there. The atmosphere is a home like feeling. Staff is pleasant and courteous. They take their time when explaining the menu. It seems like a family run Resturant. The kids and grandkids are out front while grandma is in the back cooking up a great meal. read more

The place is update, dark and food was not really tasty, presentation was not what I was expecting, cold and messy, I will not recommend it, service was very attentive and professional read more

Food was great, Service was great, Sangria was sensational! The seafood casseroles are worth the money, they are FULL of different shellfish and the sauces are great! Was recommended this place and Will definitely be going back. A great family restaurant, everyone is welcomed! tables are very close together but since there are so many tables we didnt have to wait, it was really great! read more

Malaga Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Hamilton Township, New Jersey

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This place never fails. Good ambiance, amazing service, great sangria, delicious food and overall a great dinner experience. The empanadas with sausage and cheese are the best. The camarones al ajillo are to die for and the salmon is my favorite. If you into paella, this is your SPOT! Everyone at this restaurant will make you feel welcomed as a part of their family. read more

Best food on the planet. No, UNIVERSE! Not to mention the service. Best service in the, what's bigger than the universe? Got to go! Now, seriously go! Get up, leave and go. Sangria, is amazing. Good for vegetarians. No cons to this place. And I'm critical and picker eater and often frequent Manhattan and Miami, so I'm not your average diner eater. read more

This place is no joke, its basically two row homes. It's a fantastic restaurant and I've been going there forever. The seafood is always spot on and the sangria is always perfect. This place will have you thinking all of Trentons great restaurants should have stayed put. Don't change anything! read more

Had a great dinner here with family a couple weeks back. I met my mom and brother for a holiday dinner. The place was decorated with lights and had a nice ambiance. Spanish Christmas music played over our heads some of which got redundant after a while and most had a Gregorian vibe to it. It made for good conversation. I met my family at the bar which looked like a bar I'd have a drink at, but we proceeded sit down to our table. The dining room was filled with about 10 tables some set up for large parties and one wall appeared to be ready for a buffet line sans food. Our table was a folding table which was unusual but not a problem. We ordered a couple bottles of wine and appetizers. The vegi empanadas were excellent. Perfectly cooked and not greasy. The contents of which were flavorful, not dry and didn't make you miss meat filled ones. The sauce was amazing. I was in the mood for a basic chicken and saffron rice and soup because it was cold that night.The potato leek was delicious but could have been hotter. The chicken and saffron rice was very good and comforting. I prefer bone in chicken and the meat was cooked perfectly. My mom had the Mariscada "Málaga" and it looked awesome, yes I was jealous and should have ordered that. My brother had vegi paella and it was good, I had some leftovers and had it the next night. The specials all sounded interesting. The wine selection although limited was a perfect listing of regional wines made from Tempranillo or Granacha which, after all,you can't go wrong with that. Also priced right. Service was very attentive until the larger crowds came in for "office parties" which was understandable. The waiter was helpful and very careful to answer the many questions my brother had about the dishes. The service was very good. They gave us a free drink at the end of the meal which was appreciated and unexpected. The owner came over and asked us how our meal was and wished us holiday greeting, then proceeded to get our coats from the coat check. Overall this experience had a comforting home feel with more than just basic Spanish food. I am looking forward to returning here soon! read more

I took my husband here for an early lunch for his birthday, which also happens to be Christmas Eve. We were there as soon as they opened and just about the only people in the restaurant and got the best service I've ever experienced from our waiter - Julio Iglesias (really!). We started with the white sangria (yummy!) and the white anchovy appetizer served with their warm crusty bread. Delicious! For our main course, he had the Spanish omelette and I had the seafood casserole. Both were very tasty. The amount of seafood in the casserole was very generous and served with rice. I couldn't finish it. For dessert, we shared the flan - which was the perfect level of sweet caramel and creamy texture. The staff serenaded my husband a gave us a complimentary aperitif. We will come back again! read more

Place is a nice take on Trenton. Not to far from the Cure Arena went after a friends graduation.. very ideal catered to our big group. Never a wait for food service was fast & food was great. Sangria was delicious and noise level was good especially since there where other groups as well... would def recommend if I'm the area. read more

I grew up eating in the iron bound. Malaga is decent but doesn't hold a candle to Newark/Elizabeth. Still the only place like it near trenton if you are jonesing for Portuguese. Super packed on Fri/sat nights. read more

This is my third visit to this restaurant and I will tell you, this is a hidden gem! The food is excellent with big portions, reasonable pricing, and authentic Spanish flavors. The wine list is very well chosen and edited with outstanding Spanish wines. What really sets this restaurant apart is the amazing service: plates provided to dispose of fish bones or shells are replaced the minute they appear full, water glasses are filled before they are empty, silverware replaced with every course as needed, and wine glasses changed when going from white to red wine. All this with a friendly and extremely nice demeanor from all the wait staff I have interacted with. read more

Malaga is perhaps the best authentic Spanish restaurant in the area. It's phenomenal. Unlike Janelle R., I've never eaten lunch there (actually, I didn't even know about the buffet lunch -- so thanks for that, Janelle!), but I've eaten dinner there on several occassions, and I've never been disappointed. Here's my list of the Top 3 things about Malaga: 1. The Sangria! Holy crap! I wholeheartedly agree with Janelle R.'s assessment of this stuff -- It ROCKS! A full-size pitcher of the sangria will cost you $18.95, and it's completely worth it. I've only ever had the red, but I'm sure the white is just as good. 2. The Paella A La Valenciana! Holy crap! (Sorry to repeat myself, but seriously -- You've got to try this!) This paella consists of "a combination of Shellfish, Chicken, Sausage, and Saffron Rice" and it's stellar. And it's incredibly large. I've taken leftovers home and eaten full meals for a couple of days afterwards. (The poor homeless cats who live in/around the parking lot like it, too. Especially the chicken. Just ask my wife.) Like the sangria, this also costs $18.95. 3. The Service. I have to admit in many of my recent reviews for Yelp, I've been very critical of the service I have received at various restaurants. That's only because some restaurants, like Malaga in particular, feature EXCELLENT service that puts most places to shame! The waiters are friendly, jovial, and knowledgeable. Heck they even like to sing from time to time. (Speaking of service, several of the busboys and one of the hostesses are some of my ex-students, so you know that they're good!) Malaga may be a little pricey, but most restaurants in the Chambersburg area are. At least this one's worth it! read more

I hesitate to round up, but this place is very close to 4 Yelps. In fact it is one of my favorite places in the Trenton area(though that is not a huge compliment these days) Diners really should concentrate on the seafood dishes here. Both versions of Paella are very good, but how about trying the two versions of Mariscada. This is a shellfish casserole that you spoon over their very good saffron rice. In the winter, the garlic soup is a must. The Sangria is ok, but it does add to the Spanish experience. I've always found the service to be great, especially when one of their veteran waiters strolls around singing and playing guitar. This is a good place to bring an older family member who is slightly adventurous in their dining choices. Nothing too exotic or spicy, just quality food prepared consistently well. read more

OK, I'm pretty embarrassed now that I come to post my Malaga review. I cobbled together a list format offline, and now I see that Michael B had already posted a list-formatted review here! To make matters worse, he's got almost the exact same list, in the same order. Oh, the humanity! Well, nevertheless, I will carry on. Reasons to love Malaga: - Sangria. Top notch red. Don't bother with the half pitcher, you'll just order another. - Mariscada Malaga. A heaping helping of seafood, with unlimited rice on the side. It's like paella deconstructed (not that I really know what that means). - The service. I love trying to decipher the specials through a thick accent. The rice is always replenished, and the sangria is always topped off. Very attentive staff. A few years ago I did a lot of "research" trying to replicate their sangria. It's not 100%, but here's my closest batch for the do-it-yourselfers out there: -1 bottle Rioja (Torres, Sangria del Toro, the cheap one with the plastic bull around the neck, is what I usually use) -1 can ginger ale -1/4 cup brandy -1/2 cup Triple Sec -2 cups pulpy orange juice -Fresh fruit: 1 orange, 1 granny smith apple, 1/2 lemon, 1/2 lime -- all sliced Mix everything but the ginger ale; add fruit. Chill for a day. Add ginger ale before serving. Yum. read more

It's like walking into Europe when you walk into Malaga. The service is attentive, as all the food options are perfect. I've eaten here several times over the last few years, and everything is enduringly, steadfastly impeccable. I've ordered something different each time -- though, usually seafood -- and I've been more than pleased. I have no favorite menu item, though the peppers with manchego cheese comes to mind -- it was a new combination of flavors and preparation for me, and was really very, very good. The shrimp are plump and flavorful, the veggies are colorful, the soups are fantastic, the seasonings just right. The sangria is, as others have mentioned, a must-have. Go with a friend or two, and share. read more

Hands down one of the best Spanish restaurants in Trenton. Great experience and even better staff.

I come here about once a month with my husband for the past 6 years. It's our favorite restaurant! My husband proposed here. Delicious food and red sangria. Servers are top notch! read more

Visited with a group of five couples. I had the sausage appetizer and my meal was the a chicken in wine sauce with rice. It was good. We only sent back one entree for taste - lamb chops. The replacement meal was shrimp and he loved that choice. My wife's steak was bland to her but ok to me. They serve bread at the table while you wait. The decor of the restaurant is nice. The place was full on a Friday evening. The staff did a great job if being attentive to our group. Drinks were always filled and plates removed. It was a coordinated group effort to serve us. Specials were read to us before ordering. We even had the manager check on us a few times throughout our meal. We had reservations and were seated as soon as we arrived. Parking is challenging. The side street is a one way. There is a lot behind and across the street from the restaurant. There is another lot behind the restaurant but down the street a bit. There is a sign in the lot and it is lit at night. I will be returning at some point in the future. read more

Five of us were in here for a late lunch/early dinner. It was an awkward time but, oh well. Mom and I arrived ahead of the other three and were seated right away. We told at least two different people who offered that we were going to wait until the other three arrived in order to order drinks. On the third time we said, okay fine and ordered a large red sangria for the table to share. We decided to all split Garlic shrimp, Mussels in green sauce, and the chorizo. For entrees we shared the Filet, Shrimp in wine and the "seafood casserole" salsa verde. The sangria was nice. The food was good, not great. I thought the garlic shrimp needed a lot of work, whereas the filet was really yummy. The mussels were nice and big. Use the bread to dip in those sauces! We definitely had leftovers. Biggest issue here was the service. They were trying to be service oriented and make sure things were taken care of but there were at least 3 people attempting to work the table, which meant CONSTANT interruptions- sometimes in order to ask the same questions that we had already answered! We were in the middle of conversations and telling stories and it was rude and annoying. They would reach across the table at all times, not pause for someone to finish a sentence, just start talking about dessert while we were trying to pay attention to someone at the table. It was mainly the staff talking over people at our table that really turned me off. read more

Stopped here for lunch... Bad mussels, some were rotten--that's always thrilling, also gritty (sent them back), what tasted like frozen shrimp. Everything else was mediocre at best. People really like this place? High price, low quality. read more

We lived in Central Jersey for nine years and fell in love with the Portuguese Spanish restaurants in Newark. Having been back in south jersey for three years now we have longed to find a comparable restaurant down here. While this restaurant can't replace Newark options it is a decent option when we have the craving but not the energy for the drive. The service was good, inviting, informative and appropriately attentive. The wait for our food to arrive was acceptable considering the busy-ness of things during our visit. The bread arrived nice and warm. Always a good start. Our choices were very good. E had his usual chicken in garlic sauce. I tried the chicken in mushroom sauce which I shared with my daughter. It was tender and flavorful. I ordered an appetizer of shrimp in garlic sauce just in case the dinner portions weren't larger enough (could have skipped as we had plenty of food). The only complaint is that they failed to clean the shrimp which is absolute no no. Deveining is a must and a good restaurant 101 item. Would come back but probably would skip the shrimp appetizer. read more

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I broke my vegetarianism to try authentic Spanish paella here, and I was not disappointed- best paella I've ever had. It was so flavorful, and all of the ingredients were so fresh. While a bit expensive, the service was very good, and the portions were large. This place gets very crowded at dinner time on Friday and Saturday nights, so get here early. read more

Came to this lovely little joint for a pre-Mothers Day dinner with the fam. Everything about this place is just wonderful. The decor and design of the restaurant makes you forget that just outside the walls lies big bad Trenton, the service is prompt and the servers very friendly, and the food... oh, the food. We started off with shrimp and garlic sauce, which may have been the most amazing thing I've ever tasted, and then I got the shrimp in white wine sauce for a main (yes, I like shrimp a lot), which was just as incredible. The sangria was a little too sweet for my taste, but that's nowhere near anything to take a star off over. Malaga, you are the only reason to ever come to Trenton, but damn, you're worth it. read more

For Christmas Eve I brought a large tray of seafood paella for $130. Yes, the portion size was worth the money. However, the lobster that was in the paella was not properly cleaned. The tomalley was still left inside the lobster and turned the paella blue. I had to throw out majority of the lobster. It was not worth the money. read more

Malaga Restaurant - Paella - Spanish Near Me - Hamilton Township, New Jersey

Definitely a huge fan of this place! Service was fantastic! Our waiters were friendly, entertaining, kept the mood fun and made every item on the menu very appetizing. My husband and I shared a very delish small pitcher of red sangria and empanadas. Do not skip the empanada! I had the special, salmon stuffed with crab meat. It was real crab, the salmon was moist and tender. It was served with very well seasoned crispy homemade potato chips. My husband ordered the other special, sirloin served on a hot stone. His meal was amazing! First of all, it was 2 pieces of well portioned good meat. The waiter came with the steak sizzling on the plate, still rare. He sliced the steak in pieces for my husband and seared the strips with fresh garlic until it was cooked to his liking. Did I say it was amazing? We had the Spanish coffee after our meal which had brandy... perfect night cap for a great meal! Only downside is that it's on the border of Trenton. The plus side is they have their own private parking. Definitely making this place a go to local dinner date. read more

One of my favorite restaurants of all Time! Exceptional food, service and ambiance. I almost always get a paella, but tried a house specialty shrimp. Amazing! Giant succulent in a white wine sauce. Their Sangria is also wonderful. To top off a fabulous meal, they served a complementary almond liquor - uhh. ..yummmmy! Wow! Doesn't get better then this! read more

Dangerously delicious sangria, welcoming staff, and incredible food. Went there for a belated Mothers day dinner and we had a great time. Everything we tried, we loved, the music they played for her birthday tableside was fun, the staff was funny and very attentive. Will definitely be going back! read more

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My boyfriend and I both enjoyed the red sangria song with the brothy seafood soup. My boyfriend ordered the seafood Paia and I ordered the seafood bake that was served in a red delicious broth with a side of saffron rice. The service was outstanding - his name was Fernando but the team worked together beautifully. The dinner was delicious and exactly what I wanted with plenty of leftovers to take home. Someone enjoyed a birthday celebration while we were there and he entire restaurant participated in singing happy birthday which made me want to celebrate my next birthday there! Please enjoy this gem of a restaurant, you won't be disappointed! read more

A Trenton classic. One of the last old restraints left. Great Spanish food. And I've spent time in Spain for reals so you can trust me.

Let me put it this way, my parents frequented this place long before I was around. On top of that, when I was an infant, one of the owners (won't mention names... wonderful lady) used to carry me around the restaraunt. Grew up going here and admittedly took it for granted. Now that I'm older and more aware of my circumstances... I treasure every meal I have here. The menu (besides the specials) never changes... but for good reason. Have enough meals at Malaga and you'll notice that the staff hardly changes either... also good. Downtown Trenton may have its vices... but this little place is a beacon of hope and a reminder of Trenton's rich past. A rock. Do yourself a favor; go there, order a pitcher of sangria (won't be the last), let them continually fill up your glass, note the *warm* bread, and enjoy the authentic Spanish fare. I'm a sucker for the paella. read more