4 Best Restaurants in The Murcia Coast, Spain

Tucked away behind the cathedral, this small, modern restaurant justifies Murcia's fame as tapas capital of the Southeast. Local chef Sergio Martínez takes a creative stance on local cuisine in both the bite-sized tapas (from €3), such as ham croquettes or oxtail brioche and the larger main courses. Highlights here include duck cannelloni, artichokes 'flowers', and tuna tataki with yogurt and wasabi. Try the weekday lunchtime menu (€18) for an overview of the cuisine or the tasting menu with nine dishes (€45) to sample the best.

Don't let the bright pink facade put you off: this is one of the best places to eat in town. Just a short walk south of the Plaza de España, this restored house has a dining area in every room plus a pleasant outside patio. Rice and local dishes take center stage on the menu where fresh fish and seafood feature along with a good choice of hearty desserts. Try the almejas a la marinera (clams) or the artichokes with foie gras before moving on to a dish of octopus or grilled pork steak.

Although this is a well-established vegetarian and vegan venue, the dishes prepared here with local produce are favorites among omnivorous locals. The café has a laid-back, hippieish atmosphere, with a technicolor sunflower painting on one wall and framed photos on the others. The two or four-course menus (€12, €18) are the great lunchtime options (Mon.-Thurs.), and an excellent value; the full menu includes a salad plus two courses, dessert, and organic bread. Specialties include goat's cheese millefeuille and quinoa with roasted vegetables. Leave room for the Indian-style grilled yogurt. El Girasol fills up: unless you are traveling solo, get here early or make a reservation. 

Traditional Spanish cuisine gets a modern twist at this family-run venue on the boulevard that circles the harbor. Inside is cheap and cheerful while the outside terrace sits under palms. Staples on the menu include oxtail cannelloni with pear-infused béchamel sauce, octopus Galician style (with paprika), and what locals consider to be the best cheesecake in town. The lunch prix fixe is an excellent value (€16 for aperitif and three courses). Whatever you choose, start with the chef’s own vermouth.