Skina
Marbella, Spain
⭐2 Stars
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
Real gems are often hidden in unusual and rather obscure places, but rarely in such a tiny venue as this! Tucked away in one the narrow streets of Marbella's old town, this restaurant has only four tables. Marcos Granda, its famous owner and sommelier, justifies the small size of the place perfectly, saying, What Skina has to offer is huge.The young chef from Toledo, Mario Cachinero, proposes creative and sincere cuisine that strives to put a new spin on traditional Andalusian recipes and that he describes as being all about harmonies and contrasts. However, to achieve this, the raw ingredients (wild Galician fish caught by traditional methods, premium oils from Jaén produced in mountain olive groves, select cuts of meat etc) are meticulously and skilfully put to work in order to bring out even more of their flavour.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
Here are three unique and unconventional aspects of the Michelin-starred restaurant Skina in Marbella:
1. Intimate Setting with Only Four Tables
Skina is located in a tiny venue tucked away in one of Marbella's old town narrow streets, featuring only four tables. This extremely limited seating creates an exclusive and highly personalized dining experience, emphasizing quality and intimacy over capacity.
2. Fusion of Andalusian Tradition and Avant-Garde Techniques
The restaurant offers a sophisticated synthesis of traditional Andalusian culinary practices with innovative, contemporary techniques. Under chef Mario Cachinero, Skina elevates local ingredients through creative reinterpretations, resulting in a multisensory and harmonious dining experience that balances heritage with modernity.
3. Extensive and Personal Wine Collection
Skina boasts an impressive wine list with over 6,000 selections, including a glass-fronted wine cellar as part of its contemporary decor. The sommelier, also the owner Marcos Granda, provides expert guidance on wine pairings, making wine an integral and personalized part of the gastronomic journey.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored and signature ingredients at Skina, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Marbella, are:
Wild Galician fish: This premium seafood is a cornerstone of Skina’s dishes, reflecting the freshness and quality of local Mediterranean ingredients. It is used to highlight natural flavors in innovative Andalusian recipes.
Mountain olive oils from Jaén: These high-quality olive oils are essential to Skina’s culinary style, adding depth and richness while respecting Andalusian tradition.
Select cuts of meat: Carefully chosen meats are prepared with modern techniques to enhance their natural taste, forming a key part of the tasting menus.
These ingredients are celebrated for their freshness, regional significance, and ability to harmonize with the restaurant’s philosophy of blending tradition with modernity. They appear prominently in Skina’s seasonal and Grand Crú tasting menus, which showcase Andalusian haute cuisine through refined, locally sourced produce.