Illunbe La Moraleja, a temple of the finest Basque cuisine in the capital

Illunbe La Moraleja captivates us with the magic of its grill and a robust Basque cuisine focused on quality. A cozy and welcoming restaurant, it has been delighting us for over two decades with exceptional fish and magnificent cuts of meat that reach their peak after passing through the embers. This beautiful project, based on quality and honesty, takes us on an unforgettable culinary adventure that will undoubtedly delight food and wine enthusiasts alike. The restaurant also boasts a select wine cellar that perfectly complements the delights coming from its kitchen.

The menu at Illunbe La Moraleja offers options for every palate. Traditional recipes with a touch of innovation shine through in spectacular dishes that satisfy even the most discerning tastes. At the helm of the restaurant is the charismatic José Allal, a true Malaga native, who infects us with his passion for his profession while guiding us through the seductive menu of Illunbe La Moraleja. Each dish is carefully crafted from the finest ingredients, prepared with utmost care to ensure that every visit is thoroughly enjoyed.

Our experience began with a delicious homemade Russian salad appetizer, which warmly welcomed us as we tried to decide what to order. A challenging task, given that every dish on the menu is incredibly tempting. Eventually, we opted to start our meal with some sensational homemade croquettes: one with ham and another with spider crab. It’s hard to say which one we preferred—they were both creamy and incredibly tasty, leading us to some stunning grilled Galician scallops that were a true spectacle.

Next, we enjoyed an exquisite slice of crystal bread with a base of red pepper, anchovies, and piparra peppers. Although somewhat cumbersome to eat and perhaps not ideal for a date, it was an authentic delight—a successful combination of flavors and textures that we savored from start to finish, before succumbing to the charms of the fantastic Pelayo squid with caramelized onions. This dish is definitely worth trying, as are the delicious boletus mushrooms with free-range egg and truffle—a seasonal recipe bursting with flavor and expertise. Highly recommended.

For our main course, we chose a spectacular 30-day aged Galician Blonde beef chop that conquered us from the first bite. We paired it with a simple lettuce and spring onion salad, providing a refreshing and digestive touch that was greatly appreciated.

For dessert, we couldn’t resist the temptation to try the homemade cheesecake—a dessert trend par excellence, which at Illunbe La Moraleja is a resounding success. Creamy, delicate, and delicious, it became the perfect final touch to our evening.

Illunbe La Moraleja enchants us with the magic of its embers and a resounding Basque cuisine celebrated for its quality. A warm and familial restaurant that once discovered… tempts us to return… sooner than we had planned!