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Set within the gardens of the Gran Meliá Don Pepe, Tahini has been part of Marbella’s dining scene for over a decade. The combination of mature palm trees, sea views and an established reputation has helped secure its place among the town’s best-known Japanese restaurants.
Rather than relying on theatrical presentation, Tahini Marbella centres the experience on well-executed Japanese cuisine served in relaxed surroundings. It works equally well for a leisurely lunch overlooking the gardens as it does for dinner when the terrace is softly lit, and the Mediterranean provides the backdrop.
An Atmosphere That Suits Marbella
The location is one of Tahini’s greatest strengths. Tables are spread across a spacious terrace surrounded by tropical planting, with the sea only moments away beyond the hotel’s gardens. It feels relaxed without sacrificing polish, making it well-suited to everything from long lunches to celebrations and evening dinners.
Inside, warm timber finishes and understated Japanese design create an inviting dining room, while the open sushi counter adds another focal point. Although the terrace naturally attracts much of the attention during Marbella’s warmer months, the interior offers a comfortable setting throughout the year.
Service follows the polished, attentive style expected of a long-established restaurant within the Gran Meliá Don Pepe. Staff are knowledgeable about the menu, courses are well paced, and recommendations are offered with confidence across both the sushi selection and the hot kitchen.
Japanese Classics, Expertly Prepared
Tahini’s menu remains rooted in Japanese cooking while introducing contemporary touches that complement rather than overshadow the classics.
Small Plates and Starters
The opening dishes set the tone with a choice of lighter and richer flavours. Salted edamame and green asparagus with miso provide simple beginnings, while the Tahini Gyozas, filled with prawn, leek and shiitake, are among the restaurant’s signature starters.
The miso soup with foie and truffle offers a more indulgent take on a Japanese staple. Elsewhere, marinated tuna tataki, salmon tartare with tobiko wasabi and chutoro tuna tartare topped with caviar showcase the quality of the seafood that underpins much of the menu.
Sushi, Sashimi and Signature Rolls
Raw seafood remains central to the experience. Alongside salmon and tuna sashimi, the assorted sashimi platter brings together gilthead bream, wild sea bass, akami bluefin tuna, salmon, chutoro salmon and ikura for a broader introduction to the restaurant’s selection.
The mixed sushi platter combines salmon, tuna, white fish and eel nigiri with tuna maki, crab maki, tuna gunkan and a veal truffle roll, while the vegetarian platter includes avocado, asparagus, shiitake, oyster mushrooms and cucumber hosomaki.
Individual highlights include chutoro hosomaki, fatty salmon nigiri, salmon, tuna and king prawn tempura temaki, together with signature rolls such as the Spicy Tuna Roll, California Roll, Salmon and Avocado Roll, King Prawn Tempura Roll, the flambéed king prawn tempura and fatty salmon roll, and a veal and vegetable roll finished with a delicate truffle aroma.
From the Hot Kitchen
The kitchen extends well beyond sushi. Black Cod Miso with saikyo miso is among the restaurant’s signature hot dishes, joined by teriyaki salmon, chicken yakitori, beef teppanyaki with asparagus, mangetout and shiitake, and several crisp tempura selections featuring king prawns, fish and seasonal vegetables.
For something more substantial, the Tahini noodles combine king prawns, chicken and vegetables in the restaurant’s signature sauce, while fried rice with chicken and vegetables provides another satisfying option.
Desserts, Cocktails and Sake
Desserts continue the Japanese influence with a light touch. Tahini cake is joined by matcha and white chocolate cake, strawberry-and-cream daifuku, green tea ice cream, handcrafted truffles, homemade chocolate and Earl Grey ice cream, and a chocolate brownie served with green tea cream and strawberry ice cream.
The drinks selection complements the menu with Japanese teas, an impressive collection of Japanese whiskies including Hibiki Harmony, Hakushu and Yamazaki, together with cocktails such as the Tahini Special, Spicy Mango & Sake Mojito, Japanese Caipirinha, Espresso Martini and the Spicy Cucumber Margarita.
The Details That Elevate the Experience
Good service rarely draws attention to itself, and that is very much the case at Tahini. The team strikes an easy balance between professionalism and warmth, allowing meals to unfold at a comfortable pace while remaining readily available with recommendations or guidance through the menu.
That measured approach suits the restaurant’s setting. Lunches tend to linger over several courses, while evenings carry a little more energy without ever becoming overly busy or theatrical. Whether seated on the terrace overlooking the gardens or inside beside the sushi counter, the atmosphere encourages guests to settle in rather than rush through the experience.
It is this consistency that has helped Tahini remain a fixture on Marbella’s Golden Mile. While the city continues to welcome new dining concepts, the restaurant has retained its appeal by concentrating on attentive hospitality, accomplished cooking and an environment that feels every bit as relaxed as its Mediterranean setting.
A Standout Address for Japanese Dining in Marbella
Marbella’s dining scene continues to evolve, yet Tahini has remained one of its established Japanese restaurants by focusing on quality ingredients, consistent execution and an enviable location overlooking the Mediterranean. It never feels driven by trends; instead, it offers a dining experience that has matured alongside the destination itself.
For those seeking refined Japanese cuisine in Marbella, Tahini delivers an experience that balances elegant surroundings with a menu that extends well beyond sushi alone. Combined with attentive service and one of the Golden Mile’s most appealing terrace settings, it continues to justify its reputation as a restaurant worth returning to.
Location: Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá, C. José Meliá, S/N, 29602 Málaga, Spain
