Longtime Downtown Tapas Restaurant Malaga Shut Down

Malaga, the longtime Spanish tapas restaurant in downtown Austin, shuttered over Labor Day weekend, as Austin 360 reported. The spot was known for its small sharable dishes like tortilla espanola, croquettes, and patatas bravas. There is no word on what will take over the space.

Malaga opened in 1998 by co-owner Greg Schnurr and Alejandro Duran, who was also the original chef. Duran passed away last month in California.

Update, September 7: A rep for Malagas told Eater that Schnurr and company will keep the space and turn it into a new restaurant, to be announced at the later time.

Previous Malaga chefs include Mario Medina and most recently Julio-Cesar Florez. Florez tightened the tapas restaurant’s menu earlier this year, which included the return of ceviche. He left before Malagas shut down to join French-inspired spot Peche as chef de cuisine. He also runs Peruvian food truck Llama's Food Trailer.

Recent nearby closures include 2nd Street District neighbor Cantina Laredo, which will become home to the expansion of Houston South African Texas-mini chain Peli Peli.

Those seeking tapas can head to Barlata on South Lamar, Bullfight in Hyde Park, or keep tabs on El Chipiron opening on further South Lamar in early October.

Malaga Tapas & Bar closed over the weekend [Austin 360]

Downtown Tapas Bar Malaga Overhauls Menu Again [EATX]