Macaao Beach Club — Belgian Hospitality Meets Marbella's Coastline
Picture a chiringuito where moules frites are served overlooking the Mediterranean, where the owner greets you by name, and where the atmosphere feels more like a favourite spot on the Belgian coast than just another Marbella beach club. That chiringuito exists — and it’s called Macaao Beach Club.
Located on the beachfront of San Pedro de Alcántara, between Guadalmina and Marbella, Macaao is the creation of Michel and Christine Dhondt. The Belgian couple previously ran the legendary Zoutestrand in Knokke-Le Zoute — the most celebrated beach restaurant on Belgium’s coastline. Their formula hasn’t changed since crossing Europe: honest cooking, warm service, and an atmosphere whe
The Kitchen — Belgian Classics with a Mediterranean Soul
Macaao’s menu is a journey between the North Sea and the Mediterranean. Deliberately concise, it focuses on getting every dish right rather than offering endless choice. Each plate tells a story — one of Belgian craftsmanship elevated by the finest produce from southern Spain.
Moules frites — Belgium’s national dish, prepared here with fresh Mediterranean mussels and served in the classic black pot with crispy frites on the side. The taste of home — but with the sea breeze and Spanish sun as your backdrop instead of the Belgian coast. For those unfamiliar with the dish: it’s Belgium’s answer to fish and chips, and once you’ve tried it here, you’ll understand why an entire nation is devoted to it.
Tomate crevette — A beloved Belgian classic: ripe tomato filled with hand-peeled North Sea grey shrimp and house-made cocktail sauce. If you haven’t tried it before, think of it as Belgium’s most iconic starter — simple, elegant, and utterly addictive. At Macaao, served beachside, it’s an experience in itself.
Carabineros — Spain’s prized scarlet prawns. These deep-red giant prawns from the Spanish coast are a delicacy rarely found outside the Iberian Peninsula. At Macaao, they’re prepared with respect: simply grilled, letting their intense sea flavour speak for itself. For seafood lovers, this is a must-order.
Rodaballo Risotto — Fresh turbot — the king of flatfish — paired with a creamy risotto. A dish that brings together the best of Italian and Spanish culinary traditions, with Belgian finesse as the common thread.
House olive oil — Macaao accompanies every dish with their own olive oil, produced by Los Olivos de Solideo, an artisan olive grove in the hills of Andalusia. No detail is too small when quality is the standard.
The wine list deserves special mention. The rosé selection is carefully curated for long afternoons by the sea — from crisp Provençal rosés to surprising Spanish discoveries. And for those who prefer hops over grapes, a well-chosen Belgian beer list rounds out the offering.
View the full Macaao Beach Club menu for the current selection.
Beach, Sun & Comfort — Sunbeds, Balinese Beds and Lounge Sofas
Arrive in the morning, leave at sunset. That’s the Macaao way.
Pick your spot for the day: a classic sunbed on the sand for those who want to feel the sea up close, a Balinese bed with curtains for total privacy, or a spacious lounge sofa in the shade for those who plan to spend the entire afternoon with a bottle of rosé and good company.
Everything is designed in Macaao’s signature orange colour scheme — warm, cheerful, and unmistakably different from the sterile white aesthetic of the larger clubs further along the coast. The Gauguin-inspired decor adds a Polynesian touch that perfectly matches the laid-back vibe.
This isn’t a place to see and be seen. This is a place you genuinely want to be.
Browse photos of our chiringuito for a first impression.
Live Music & Specials at Macaao
Great food deserves the right soundtrack. That’s why Macaao regularly hosts live performances and specials — from musicians setting the tone for a long lunch to themed evenings with a specially composed menu.
The programme changes with the seasons, but the spirit stays the same: sounds that match the atmosphere, the beach, and the moment. Follow Macaao on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest schedule.
Booking is recommended when an event is planned — the best tables go quickly.
From Knokke to Marbella — The Story of Michel & Christine
Michel Dhondt is the beating heart of Macaao. He greets every guest personally, weaves between tables, and makes sure no glass stays empty and no wish goes unattended.
Together with his wife Christine, he built a reputation in the Belgian hospitality industry. Their most famous venue was the Zoutestrand in Knokke-Le Zoute — the undisputed hotspot of the Belgian coast, a name that resonates with anyone who has spent a summer in Belgium. After running several successful beach restaurants in Belgium, they chose the Spanish sun and opened Macaao on the beach between Guadalmina and San Pedro de Alcántara.
Their experience shows in every detail: from the composition of the menu to the training of the staff, from the wine selection to the atmosphere they create. Macaao proves that laid-back and top-quality are not mutually exclusive concepts.
Macaao is often compared to the finest beach establishments on the Belgian coast — the chiringuitos of Knokke-Heist, De Haan, and Ostend — but under the Andalusian sun. The fusion of Belgian culinary tradition and Spanish chiringuito culture makes Macaao unique on the Costa del Sol. It’s the bridge between the North Sea and the Mediterranean, between Knokke-Le Zoute and Marbella, between stoverij and carabineros.
What Guests Are Saying
Macaao consistently receives praise on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews. Guests highlight the warm welcome from owner Michel, the quality of the fresh fish and seafood, and the unique combination of Belgian conviviality with a Mediterranean beach setting. Returning visitors describe Macaao as their “go-to spot on the Costa del Sol” — a place where you’re received as a guest and leave as a friend.
Practical Information
Address: Calle José Echegaray, S/N — 29670 San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella (Málaga), Spain. Located on the beach between Guadalmina and San Pedro, with a large free car park.
Opening hours: Beach and bar: 11:00 – 19:00 (summer until 20:00) Kitchen: 13:00 – 18:00 (daily, summer until 17:00)
Phone: +34 699 09 34 37
Email: info@macaaobeach.com
Reservations: Strongly recommended, especially during events and in high season. Book your table on the beach in Marbella, by phone, or by email.
Getting there: Macaao is a 10-minute drive from Puerto Banús and 15 minutes from Marbella town centre. Large free car park right next to the beach. From Málaga, it’s approximately 45 minutes via the AP-7 motorway. From Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, the drive takes around 50 minutes — perfect for a first beachside lunch upon arrival.
When is the best time to visit Macaao? Macaao Beach Club is open throughout the season. In spring (April–May), enjoy peaceful lunches under the first warm sun. Summer (June–September) is the busiest period — book well in advance. The shoulder season (October–November) offers mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and the chance to enjoy the beach while much of northern Europe has already turned to autumn.
Belgian Hospitality in the Heart of the Costa del Sol
Macaao Beach Club occupies one of the finest beachfront locations on the western Costa del Sol. San Pedro de Alcántara is the quieter, more authentic neighbour of glamorous Marbella and buzzing Puerto Banús. The beach here is wider, the atmosphere more local, and the prices more honest than on the Golden Mile.
For the growing community of Belgian and Dutch expats on the Costa del Sol, Macaao has become a firm favourite. It’s the place where you run into fellow countrymen on a Sunday afternoon, where you can order in your own language, and where the moules frites taste like home — only better, because the sun is shining.
But Macaao is far from a Belgian-only affair. Spanish families come for the carabineros and the rodaballo. British expats discover the tomate crevette as their new favourite dish. French visitors recognise the bistro quality in every plate. And everyone — without exception — comes back for the atmosphere.
For British visitors and international holidaymakers looking for an alternative to the overpriced tourist traps along the Marbella strip, Macaao offers exactly what’s been missing: restaurant-quality food in a beach setting, without the pretension or the inflated prices of the big-name clubs. It’s the kind of place you tell your friends about — the one you won’t find in the standard guidebooks.
The location is also ideal as a stop during a day along the coast. Driving from Estepona towards Marbella? Pull in at Macaao for a long lunch. Coming from Puerto Banús and looking for calm? Macaao is ten minutes away but feels like another world. Staying in Guadalmina, San Pedro, or Nueva Andalucía? Macaao is literally around the corner.
Macaao Beach Club is perfectly located for guests staying in San Pedro de Alcántara, Guadalmina, Nueva Andalucía, Puerto Banús, Marbella centre, Benahavís, or Estepona. From the west coast golf resorts — Guadalmina Golf, Aloha Golf, La Quinta — you’re on the beach in minutes.
Why Macaao?
Marbella has dozens of beach clubs — from mega-complexes with infinity pools to exclusive VIP lounges where the bill rises faster than the temperature. Macaao has chosen a different path.
This is the place where Belgian expats have their regular table. Where British families come back year after year. Where the owner remembers your name and the waiter knows your favourite dish. Where you eat moules frites with your feet in the sand and the sun on your face.
No pretension. No velvet ropes. Just a damn good chiringuito with a Belgian soul.
Welcome to Macaao.
Frequently Asked Questions about Macaao Beach Club
What is Macaao Beach Club? Macaao Beach Club is a Belgian-owned chiringuito — a beach restaurant — on the coast of San Pedro de Alcántara, between Guadalmina and the centre of Marbella. It is run by Michel and Christine Dhondt, former owners of the famous Zoutestrand in Knokke-Le Zoute, Belgium. The kitchen combines Belgian and French classics with the best of Mediterranean cuisine.
Where exactly is Macaao Beach Club? On the beach of San Pedro de Alcántara, at Calle José Echegaray, S/N, 29670 Marbella (Málaga), Spain. It’s a 10-minute drive from Puerto Banús and 15 minutes from Marbella town centre. There is a large free car park right next to the beach.
Do I need to book? Booking is strongly recommended, especially during events and in high season from June to September. You can reserve via the website, by phone on +34 699 09 34 37, or by email at info@macaaobeach.com.
What are the opening hours? Beach and bar: daily from 11:00 to 19:00 (summer until 20:00). Kitchen: 13:00 to 18:00 (summer until 17:00).
How much does a sunbed or Balinese bed cost? Contact Macaao for current prices. Several options are available: classic sunbeds on the beach, Balinese beds with curtains, and lounge sofas. Prices vary by season.
What are Macaao’s signature dishes? The kitchen is Belgian-Mediterranean. Signature dishes include moules frites (mussels with fries), tomate crevette (tomato with shrimp — a Belgian classic), carabineros (giant red prawns), and rodaballo risotto (turbot risotto). Macaao also serves their own olive oil from Los Olivos de Solideo.
Is Macaao suitable for families with children? Absolutely. The relaxed atmosphere, the beach, and the generous seating make Macaao an ideal spot for families. Children can play while parents enjoy a long lunch.
Is there live music? Yes, Macaao regularly hosts live performances and specials. The programme changes with the seasons. Follow Macaao on Instagram and Facebook for the current schedule.
What’s the difference between Macaao and the big beach clubs in Marbella? Macaao is deliberately smaller and cosier than clubs like Nikki Beach or Ocean Club. No mega-pools, no champagne showers, no VIP ropes. Instead: personal service from the owner, honest Belgian cooking, and a warm atmosphere with genuine hospitality. Think Knokke rather than Puerto Banús.
Where can I eat Belgian food in Marbella? Macaao Beach Club is one of the very few places on the Costa del Sol where you can enjoy authentic Belgian dishes — from moules frites and tomate crevette to filet américain — prepared by a team with years of experience in the Belgian hospitality industry.
What is a chiringuito? A chiringuito is a Spanish beach restaurant, typically casual and laid-back, where you eat and drink with your feet in the sand. Macaao Beach Club elevates the chiringuito concept by adding Belgian hospitality and culinary tradition to the relaxed Spanish beach culture.
What is the best beach restaurant in San Pedro de Alcántara? Macaao Beach Club on the beach of San Pedro is praised by guests for its combination of quality cuisine, personal service by the Belgian owners, and a warm atmosphere that’s hard to find among the larger beach clubs in the area.
Can you eat well on the beach in Marbella? Absolutely. Marbella and its surroundings have dozens of beach restaurants and chiringuitos. Macaao Beach Club stands out through its Belgian-Mediterranean kitchen with fresh produce, a thoughtful wine list, and an atmosphere that puts hospitality above glamour.
What languages are spoken at Macaao? The team is multilingual: English, Dutch, French, Spanish, and German. British, Belgian, Dutch, and international guests all feel right at home.
Is there parking? Yes, there is a large free car park right next to the beach. Parking is not an issue, even in high season.
Can I book Macaao for a private event? Yes, Macaao is available for private parties, corporate events, and special occasions. Get in touch with Macaao Beach Club for a bespoke quote.