Chiringuito de Ayo

We went here because my in laws rave about it, but I have to say this place wasn’t really that great. I was looking forward to having the sardines on the bbq, but it was ala plancha. Although the sardines were large they lacked the flavor I had expected. Also my husband and I both got
Stomach aches after the lunch. My advice is skip this place and go a few restaurants down to Monte mar!

En Nerja hay muchos chiringuitos que también se llaman Merenderos. Este es uno de los más famosos y hace alarde de platos como paella y raciónes de marisco. La paella es el plato más demandado porque después de la primera ración que te trae el camarero puedes ir a llenar el plato todas las veces que quieres. Parece el mejor restaurante de España pero segun mi opinión me parece algo exagerado porque he comido paellas más rica que esta que sabía a poco y parecía más un risotto. Si quieres una paella de verdad y de primera calidad más vale ir a Valencia o
bien a otros sitios donde pero hay que pagar más. Pese a todo he comido 3 raciónes y gastado solo 9,90 euros es un buen precio. Importante: lleva contigo dinero en metalico porque no aceptan pagos con tarjeta de credito.

We expected a lot because of all the reviews and guidebooks. Atmosphere of restaurant was weird and not cosy, seems more like a fast food. Though we looking forward «the best» paella ever. Taste wasn’t bad at all but presentation was horrible. Anyway it was 7.50 € for endless paella, we could expect miracles. In conclusion we were quite disappointed.

Travelled to nerja from Malaga to spend the day at the beach. As soon as we got there, we headed straight to Ayo’s. Coming to around € 6.50 per person, and being refillable, you can’t go wrong. The paella was served quickly and was piping hot and tasted fresh. The waitress was patient with our lack of Spanish and Ayo himself gave us a smiley welcome. Would love to revisit and would recommend to anyone visiting nerja.

Everyone talks about the unlimited Paella which is great! But the tuna and avocado salad was delicious!
Ayo seemed to be in a grumpy mood but the servers were very friendly.
A place you cannot miss if you are in Nerja

Trois étoiles pour ce restaurant de plage dont la paëlla à volonté est bonne et pas cher ! Moins de 7 € par personne, à volonté c’est un bon rapport qualité/​prix !
Pas de vue directe sur la plage à cause des transats et des parasols mais le lieu reste très sympa !
Pas de wifi et pas de carte bancaire ! Prévoir de la monnaie !

Aproximadamente 40 años hace que vengo al Ayo, la paella, aunque ya no la hace él, sigue estando igual de buena, también deliciosa la lasaña, el pollo asado o el cordero de los martes, la comida de precio no está mal, pero, eso sí, donde te mete el puyazo es en las bebidas.
En agosto es casi imposible coger mesa, además no te lo facilitan, es la ley del más fuerte, si la encuentras te la quedas.
No abren de noche, solo los miércoles y porque tienen espectáculo flamenco para «guiris».

Since the restaurant is mentioned in several travel guidebooks, we decided to give it a try. From the Balcony of Europe, the restaurant/​Burriana Beach is probably about a 10 – 15 min walk… so we elected to drive there (parking along the beach is free). It’s located at the end of the boardwalk of several restaurants right on the beach.
In terms of the paella, it tasted just ok. Each plate probably has a couple of pieces of each item (shrimp, chicken, etc.). In terms of saffron, we couldn’t really taste it in the paella. So if you’re hungry and want to pay a reasonable price with a nice beach location, then Ayo’s is the place. But if you’re looking for quality paella with quality ingredients, then look elsewhere and be ready to pay more. Finally, the way it works is… you seat yourself and a server will eventually come to you to take your order. And remember to bring cash because credit cards are not accepted.

Ambiance is nice, food is overrated as the paella is a bit too greasy.

Chiringuito historico de Nerja, incluso de España por su famosa presencia en la serie verano azul. A dia de hoy sigue manteniendo la misma tradicion y exelencia de antaño.

Chiringuito tradicional donde se rodo la famosa serie de verano azul. Es un chiringuito muy acogedor y familiar. A diario hacen paellas como para 100 o mas personas, mixtas de carne y marisco, son espectaculares. Lo recomiendo a todo el mundo que a parte quieran disfrutar de estas maravillosas playas que tenemos frente al chiringuito.

Saw this place mentioned on a popular American tourist PBS television program (who shall remain nameless) and cannot emphasize enough just HOW GREAT this guy’s paella is. I had 3 plates full, and seriously considered coming back the next day for more. The atmosphere is really great – right on the beach with shaded canopy, complete with the paella being cooked in huge pans over an open fire. The sangria was also great. If I ever return to Nerja, I will come here again.

La primera vez que visite Ayo fue hace muchos años cuando fui a dar un paseo por las playas alejadas de Nerja. Durante una de estas largas caminatas, senti un hambre profunda dentro de mi estómago. Afortunadamente me encontré con un hombre de aspecto salvaje cantando y cocinando paella en la playa. Me maravillaba su habilidad de cocinar sobre una llama abierta, mientras que el aromoa dulce de la paella comenzó a hipnotizarme.
Yo pedí un plato y empeze a comer la paella mientras escuchaba las olas detrás de mí y el olor del mar se mezclava con la paella caliente… dandole a mis sentidos un regalo de perfecto. Este era como estar en paraiso y sel volvio un recuerdo que todavia traer una sonrisa a mi cara.
Ahora imagine que unos años más tarde, cuando volví a Nerja, me entere que Ayo se habia mudado a una playa más alejada. Alli, un refugio estaba en la playa con solo un techo y sin paredes llenas de mesas y clientes felices disfrutando de la playa y sus paellas. La fama de Ayo había crecido y este hombore se habido convirtió en una leyenda local. Incluso si él no está allí, visitantes pueden echar un vistazo a «la majia de Ayo» a través de la imagen de Ayo, a mediados de baile vestido con pantalones cortos y botas exhibido en el centro de la pared del restaurante libre.
Todavía sonrio en esas memorias de aqulla la paella increíble y de un Ayo muy agradable… simpre contento en contar una de sus historias o bailar festejando de la vida buena. Asi en esa memoria llego a su restorante como un conocido, como un primo perdido hace mucho tiempo. Cada vez que visito la costa sur de España, siempre me aseguro de parar y comer esa famosa paella con una cerveza perfectamente fría.
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The first time I visited Ayo was many years ago as I went for a stroll along the outlying beaches of Nerja. While on one of these long walks, a deep hunger began roaring within my stomach. Thankfully I came across a wild looking man singing and cooking paella on the beach. I marvelled at his skill in cooking over an open flame while the sweet aromoa of the paella began to hypnotize me.
I happily ordered a dish and began to eat my fill of this amazing paella as I sat on the beach… the sound of the waves crashing behind me and the scent of the sea mixed with the hot paella giving my senses a welcome treat. This was heaven and a memory which continues to bring a smile to my face.
Now imagine a few years later when I returned to Nerja and learned that Ayo had setup his paella on an outlying beach. There a shelter stood on the beach with just a roof and no walls filled with tables and happy patrons singing his praises. Ayo’s fame had grown and became legendary. Even if he’s not there, visitors can get a glimpse into «being Ayo» via the picture of Ayo in mid-​dance dressed in shorts and boots showcased in the middle of the wall-​free restaurant.
I still smile upon the thought of that amazing paella and the very personable Ayo telling one of his stories or dancing as cooks for me like a long lost cousin. Whenever I visit the southern coast of Spain, I always make sure to stopy by Ayo’s for some of that famous paella and a cold beer.

Hurray for € 6 all you can eat paella!!! It’s not the most amazing paella but for the price and the great view of my favorite beach, I won’t complain. My Malagueña friend explained to me that this chiringuito became very famous because it was the film location of the telenovela called «Verano Azul» which was popular in the 80’s. It’s fun to watch the chef cooking huge paella over wood fire in the open air. Good for people watching, this place is buzzing with people enjoying the lazy summer afternoon. I heard they have free flamenco shows at night, it must be fun!

Muy bueno. Pero mucha gente y es un logro el comer