Praised for their quality dishes and excellent service, La Taverna Dei Sapori makes some of the best Italian food on the Spanish coast. Owned and run by Tino and Antonella, this Italian couple turned their lifelong passion for great food, made with fresh produces and lots of love, into a true success story.
The restaurant is cosy and corky, full of personality with little things and souvenirs regular customers brought as gifts. La Taverna Dei Sapori translates to ”The Tavern Of Flavors” and they keep true to their name.
”The name says it all. It is all about fresh, flavourful food and classic family-style dishes. Only good food, made with lots of love” Tino and Antonella explain.
They want their restaurant to have a family feel to it. To be a place for locals and tourists alike, where people can come for great food and feel at home and be greeted as a part of the Italian family.
So far the restaurant has hosted celebrations of all kinds, all with a family feel to them, from birthdays and anniversaries to weddings. No matter the occasion, La Taverna Dei Sapori will make their customers feel like they are one of the family.
La Taverna Dei Sapori opened its doors in Spanish costa del sol seven years ago
The award-winning family-style Italian restaurant La Taverna Dei Sapori, opened its doors on the sunny Spanish costa del sol, seven years ago. They chose the little cosy town of Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena, for its sunny location and great tourism. ”There is no better place to be. Sun, all year round and wonderful people.” Tino explains. For Antonella, this coastal town is her absolute favourite place, and she wouldn't be anywhere else.
The restaurant is located in the town centre, on a semi-quiet street near the train station. It is the perfect location for both locals and tourists, and thanks to being located in an alley they can have a beautiful patio. Being able to sit outside and enjoy the Spanish weather is a must, especially in the summer months. A glass of wine and some lovely food in the shade, are enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.
The best food is made with passion
Neither Tino nor Antonella are classically trained chefs, only their great passion for Italian cuisine and the teaching of their parents have led them to open a restaurant. Tino's passion for Italian home cooking comes from his mother, who taught him to cook. Antonella has always had a passion for great Italian food, which led her into the restaurant business. Food is their culture and they inherit their passion from their mothers.
When asked about their signature dishes, Tino laughs and says that all their dishes are their signature dishes. For them, picking a favourite dish is like picking a favourite child. ”We only serve the food that we love and are proud of. All our dishes are our speciality. All are equally good and made with lots of love and fresh, great produce. Only the best is put into our dishes”
If they had to choose, it's the fresh pasta they are most proud of. ”We specialise in fresh pasta. Fresh is the only way to go” Tino says proudly. Their lasagne is their biggest seller, an absolute favourite, and a must-try. The lasagne is made with fresh pasta sheets and an amazing bolognese. Antonella is most proud of their Ravioli con Carne, a true handcraft filled with slow-braised meat. When it comes to dessert both agree on their famous Tiramisu.
Bolognese a laber of love
Making bolognese is a true handcraft and a labour of love. Their secret is the time and effort they put into making their bolognese perfect. It goes into many dishes and all dishes need to be equally good. That's why it is so important to make the best bolognese. Great meat and the best wine, are put into the sauce. ”Only Montepulciano D'Abruzzo wine. It has to be a good Italian wine to make a good bolognese” says Tino.
Their famous Tiramisu is a true delight
”The best Tiramisu in the world. Time and time again, people say that they don't like Tiramisu, but that is only because they haven't tried our yet. When customers try it, they love it and say that it is the best in the world.” explains Tino laughing. Antonella tells us proud of their latest experience, only the day before when a couple tried their Tiramisu and was converted. Tino tells us that it is a classic Italian recipe, but what makes this Tiramisu so delicious and special, is a secret Tino keeps to himself. It is wonderful to see their pride and how it is reflected in their dishes and customer reviews.
Best of best Tripadvisor awards
Praised for their quality dishes and excellent service, La Taverna Dei Sapori makes some of the best Italian food on the Spanish coast, and the customers agree. Three years in a row, La Taverna Dei Sapori has won the award for Best of best Tripadvisor travellers choice. Tino and Antonella are proud of what they have achieved. ”Is wonderful to be able to read lovely feedback from customers every day” explains Tino with a smile.
When asked if it made any difference for them, to win these awards, Tino explained that it did, both for their business and on a personal level. ”It has definitely brought in more customers to the restaurant. New customers can find us easier. People look at Tripadvisor and see that we are one of the best and come to try our dishes. It makes us proud to know that people are enjoying our food, and that is the most important part for us.”
For Tino and Antonella, these awards are a pat on the back, letting them know that they are on the right path, hosting celebrations with great success and making them try new ideas and dishes for their menu.
Wine assortment
Tino and Antonella are also proud of their great wine assortment. Being served great Italian wine for all tastes and occasions is a big part of the restaurant experience. Tino is in charge of the wine assortment and tells us all about it with great passion. There is a wide selection, with wines from all over Italy. Especially dear to their hearts are the wines from Tino's region Milano and Antonella's region Florence.
Growing up in a wine country has truly made an impression. Being from a small town outside Milano, wine runs in Tino's blood. ”Life is too short for bad wine. Wine is a big part of our culture, and very important for us.” He tells us about the Milano wine tasting tradition in October every year. All the farmers make their own wines and share them with their neighbours.
Montepulciano D'Abruzzo is their biggest seller and one of Tino's personal every-day favorite. In the higher price range of red wine we find Tecnica del Salasso Tre di Tre, Colomalo Chianti Classico 2005 and Poppóne. Among White wines we find great varieties such as Minaia Gavi and Cantina Tramin Kellerei.
Next up for La Taverna Dei Sapori
To keep serving customers amazing dishes with a family feel and a smile is Tino and Antonella's plan for the future. The awards are just one of many reasons they will keep doing what they love. ”We will be here every day, making family-style food for our customers.” Next up for the restaurant is their new upcoming menu, with loads of new exciting dishes.
La Taverna Dei Sapori is open from Tuesday to Sunday every week. It is located on Calle de San Juan 3, 29631 Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena Spain. Drop by or make a reservation by phone at +34658456547. You can also check them out on Facebook and Tripadvisor.
