As I wandered the winding streets of the city, my stomach grumbling with hunger, I came across a little gourmet hamburger restaurant in Malaga city center, called Black Label – tucked around the corner from Plaza Merced. It was a good location – central but not too crowded – and as I peered through the windows, I could see that it had a decent vibe going on inside.
Walking in
As soon as I walked in, I was struck by the good vibes emanating from the place. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, with a funky soundtrack playing in the background. The décor was American themed and stylish, with plenty of seating available. It was around 8 PM when we arrived and the place wasn’t too busy, but I could tell from the way the staff were hustling about that it could get pretty lively later on.
Service
Service was a bit of a mixed bag. While the staff seemed friendly enough, our waiter was initially a bit inattentive, taking a while to greet us and take our order. However, once we got the ball rolling, things went smoothly and our food arrived in a timely manner. I should note that the restaurant takes reservations, so if you’re planning on dining here, it might be a good idea to book a table in advance – the place can get pretty busy.
Menu and selection
One thing that struck me as a bit odd was what they left off the menu. It was fairly basic, with a good selection of hamburgers (all burgers Black Angus beef, chicken or vegetarian) and sides, but there were no drinks or desserts listed. This seems like a bit of a missed opportunity to me – I always appreciate a good craft beer with my burger, and a dessert is the cherry on top. That being said, they did have Victoria beer on tap, as well as a few different beer options available in bottles. They also had some wines available, if that’s your thing. Take note that the menu on their website did not have the same options as the one in restaurant. I think their website hasn’t been updated. In general the prices were good value for the area, considering portion sizes and quality.
Chicken and salad
Despite the lack of a drinks menu, the food was pretty tasty. I started with a salad, which was excellent – fresh and flavorful, with a nice balance of greens and toppings. My friend opted for the chicken corral platter, which was a bit on the larger side but still manageable – for some it might be enough to share. The chicken was well cooked and tasted great, with a nice balance of flavors and a crispy exterior.
Maybe the best hamburger in Malaga?
I ordered the burger called “What the fuck” (it has jalapeños and chipotle sauce) because I like a little spice in my life and it really stood out. It had just two 90 gram patties, but it was really tasty. The patties were thin but cooked well, still juicy for their thickness. A bit in similar style and taste to Five Guys (which is a high compliment from me). The bun was soft and slightly sweet, and the toppings were fresh and flavorful. All in all, it was a really satisfying burger, one of the best I’ve had in Spain that I’d definitely order again. Was it the best hamburger in downtown Malaga? So far, yes! But we still have plenty more to try and to compare to.
Amenities
In terms of amenities, the restaurant had Wi-Fi available, which is always a plus. I also appreciated that they had a good selection of beers and wines available, even if they weren’t listed on the menu.
Conclusion
Overall, this was one of the best tasting burgers I’ve had in Malaga, and everything we tasted was excellent. The ambience was funky American and would definitely come back a gain. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait if you don’t have a reservation, and be aware that there aren’t any drinks or desserts listed on the menu, but are available to order.