Makai Beach Mijas Costa: Tibbi Aquila Does It Again

Restaurateur Tibbi Aquila has transformed the much-loved former Antonio’s chiringuito into Makai Beach—a magical new beachfront restaurant between Max Beach and El Oceano on the Costa del Sol.

With temperatures soaring sneakily into the mid-40s, the terral wind blowing like Satan’s hairdryer and my never-ending role as Florence Nightingale showing absolutely no sign of ending, it would have been terribly easy to decline an invitation to celebrate the official opening of Makai Beach.

But this was not just any opening. This was the latest creation from one of the Costa del Sol’s favourite restaurateurs, Tibbi Aquila—and when Tibbi opens a new venue, you put on the lipstick, summon the scaffolding for the heels and go!

It seemed such a long time ago—back when my world was what I considered normal—that Tibbi first told us about his latest acquisition: the chiringuito we all knew and loved as Antonio’s, situated on the Carretera de Cádiz Variante between Max Beach and El Oceano in Mijas Costa.

Tibbi promised he would simply clean it up, make a few small changes and reopen. ¡Claro que sí! She in the Universe, however, had other plans for him. One new ceiling, new flooring and approximately a million other completely unconsidered happenings later, Makai Beach was finally ready for its official opening on

Friday, July 24. From Florence Nightingale to Costa del Sol Glamour

Before I could even contemplate getting dressed, Mr E had to be fed, watered, bathed down at least twice because of the heat, talced, sprayed and medicated—and that was before I had even selected a dress for the evening. Eventually, through military precision and a few choice fluffy words, I transformed myself from Florence Nightingale into something vaguely suitable for public viewing.

Our fabulous friend Nicki arrived for a quick drink—Red Bull Light for me, naturally. Florence Nightingale still had a long night shift ahead of her, and even without alcohol I have always possessed quite enough energy to power half the Costa del Sol.

A detailed discussion then took place with Steven about his pain levels, as he and Nicki are both fully paid-up members of the Bad Back Club, while I attempted to commandeer a taxi.

No easy feat at 6.45pm on a Friday evening, in sweltering heat, with a concert taking place at Sohail Castle.

Eventually, Paco arrived. Yes, he really was called Paco—and he had a mal carácter, to say the very least. The flowers were unceremoniously dumped into the boot, instructions were issued to Mr E—“Phones on, stay in bed and call me if you need me”—and after the obligatory kiss-kiss, Thelma and Louise climbed into Paco’s chariot. “Gracias, Paco.” We were met with huffs, puffs and the announcement that the traffic was at a complete standstill.

But Nicki and I have lived in Spain for more than 70 years collectively. We were not about to be defeated by a traffic jam and a grumpy taxi driver.

With the confidence of two women who clearly believed they knew the Costa del Sol better than Google Maps, we directed an increasingly unimpressed Paco through a series of back roads until, eventually, we reached our destination.

Discovering Makai Beach in Mijas Costa There is virtually no parking directly outside Makai Beach, so my advice is to park at Miraflores and walk across, arrive via the coastal boardwalk—or find your own grumpy Paco to deliver you to the entrance. Then you descend the beautifully illuminated staircase. And suddenly, you stop. The setting is utterly breathtaking. The waves gently tickle the foot of the steps, the sea breeze caresses sun-soaked skin and, before you, lies the peaceful haven that Team Tibbi has created.

To me, Makai Beach feels like a secret Cornish cove that has somehow slipped away from England and washed up on the Costa del Sol. It welcomes you with open arms—and then cuddles your soul. It is not simply somewhere you see. It is somewhere you feel.

From the moment we arrived, we felt completely at home. Team members from Tibbi’s other venues were there in force, while the new Makai crew looked effortlessly stylish in professional but friendly cream-and-coffee-latte uniforms.

Against the blue-painted wood, twinkling beneath the last rays of sunshine as the day gently dozed into night, everything looked quite magical. It was worth every ounce of effort it had taken to get there. Team Makai Creates Something Special Tibbi has surrounded himself with an extraordinary team and built a loyal following the likes of which I have not seen since the legendary John Miller and Jim Pagent days.

There were so many people to hug and kiss. Some received a quick hello as we passed; with others, the embrace lingered just a little longer. It took me well over an hour to reach our table. When I finally sat down, I breathed in the calm and tranquillity of Makai Beach. The worries of the week seemed to drift from my shoulders and disappear into the sea below.

Oops! Tibbi did it again. Michel swaps Florence Nightingale duty for a Red Bull Light, Mediterranean magic and one very grumpy Paco at the opening of Makai Beach in Mijas Costa.

Tibbi’s soon-to-be wife, Michelle—owner of the fabulous Fabric boutiques—floated around looking as glamorous as ever, speaking to every guest as though they were part of her own family. Michelle is real, raw and wonderfully authentic. Combined with the breeze from the sea, she breathes genuine warmth and love into every corner of the venue.

Meanwhile, Tibbi, the consummate professional, danced between the tables, ensuring that everyone was happy and enjoying the culinary delights on offer.

As darkness fell, exotic cocktails appeared, twinkling beneath the lights on every table, while laughter became the soundtrack of the evening.

Food, Cocktails and a Menu for Every Occasion Now, as you know, I am not a foodie. I could never earn my living as a restaurant critic unless custard creams, cheese sandwiches and Red Bull Light suddenly became recognised Michelin categories.

But I am an avid observer of people and body language—and everybody at Makai Beach was eating with unmistakable relish. The menu offers something for everyone and, importantly, caters for different tastes and budgets. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion in style, sharing a romantic drink at the water’s edge, enjoying a girly catch-up in a quiet corner or simply escaping the Costa del Sol heat beside the Mediterranean, this secret Cornish cove will not fail to deliver.

During the day, bring your furry family. Digital nomads can arrive with their MacBooks, order breakfast and work with the Mediterranean Sea as their office view—which is considerably more appealing than watching someone refill the photocopier.

Makai Beach is beautiful without trying too hard, stylish without being pretentious and sophisticated without losing its soul. Most importantly, it feels genuine. The Costa del Sol’s Very Own Lovejoy If you are old enough to remember the television series Lovejoy, you will remember his secret little twitch—an instinct that told him which antiques were authentic, unique and valuable and which were complete rubbish. Tibbi is the Costa del Sol’s very own Lovejoy. He has that same instinct. He simply knows. He sees something others might overlook, recognises its possibilities and then transforms it into something magical.

And—oops!—he has done it again.

Cinderella Returns to Florence Nightingale Duty Unfortunately, before the clock struck midnight, Florence Nightingale had to make her exit. Like Cinderella—although considerably more talced, tired and medically qualified—I abandoned the ball and headed home to my bedridden Mr E.

vThere was no glass slipper waiting for me. Instead, there was medication to administer, a nightly cup of tea to prepare and custard creams to serve under the watchful supervision of Teddy and Gracie.

The glamour never ends. However, once the tablets had been taken, the tea poured and the custard creams distributed fairly—although Teddy would strongly dispute that last point—we sat talking until nearly three o’clock in the morning. I relived every detail of the evening for Mr E: the magical staircase, the waves, the cocktails, the food, the beautiful uniforms, the familiar faces, the laughter, the secret Cornish cove and, naturally, the grumpy Paco. By the time I had finished, Mr E probably felt as though he had attended the opening himself—without having to put on any trousers.

Finally, my Florence Nightingale lamp and hat were placed to one side and I drifted into a peaceful sleep, imagining the waves of Makai Beach gently lulling me into slumber.

Makai Beach is now firmly on Mr E’s list of must-dos, just as soon as his 33 clamps are removed and he can sit down for more than ten minutes without requiring medication, scaffolding or a small crane. And I have promised him: “It will be worth the wait.”

Congratulations to Tibbi Aquila, Michelle and every single member of Team Makai. You have not merely opened another beachfront restaurant—you have created a little pocket of magic where the sea sparkles, the cocktails twinkle, laughter fills the air and, for a few precious hours, the worries of the world are carried away by the Mediterranean breeze.

Makai Beach has warmth, beauty and, most importantly, soul. It is a place for celebrations, romantic evenings, family lunches, girly catch-ups, furry friends, digital nomads—and exhausted Florence Nightingales in desperate need of a Red Bull Light.

Enhorabuena a todo el equipo de Makai Beach por convertir un sueño en realidad.

Tibbi Aquila is the Costa del Sol’s very own Lovejoy: he sees the hidden beauty, recognises the possibilities and somehow knows exactly how to turn them into something truly special. Oops! Tibbi did it again—and next time Florence returns, she will be bringing Mr E, preferably with his clamps removed and definitely wearing trousers.

Michel Does Spain—one magical chiringuito, one Red Bull Light and one grumpy Paco at a time.