Murcia Restaurants

The cuisine in Murcia is excellent with fresh vegetables from the valley of the Río Segura and seafood from the Mar Menor. Murcia is also famous for its rice (which is grown in the village of Calasparra), sausages, preserved foods, nuts, aromatic plants, fruit and confectionery.

Fruit is often eaten as a dessert with seasonal favourites including peaches in wine, oranges with cinnamon, strawberries from Rincón de Seca, pears and apricots

Murcia's local confectionery tends to e very sweet with “Tocino de cielo” " made with egg yolks and syrup, "Yemas de Caravaca” cake made with egg yolks and marzipan from Moratalla, "Cabello de Ángel" is pumpkin strands in syrup, "bizcochos borrachos" a sponge soaked in wine and syrup, "tortada murciana" is made from meringue and "paparajotes" is a dessert with Arab origins made with lime leaves wrapped in sweet pastry and coated in sugar and cinnamon.

Murcian red wines have the best reputation. There are three Denominations of Origin: Jumilla, Yecla and Bullas -  the latter being the latest addition. There are a number of local wines of excellent quality from Comarcas de Campo de Cartagena, Ricote and Abanilla.

I have listed below the main dishes of the region to help you make the right selection from the menu. 

Arroz de verduras: Rice with vegetables.
Arroz marinero: Seafood rice.
Arroz y conejo: Rice and rabbit.
Caldo Murciana: soup of fish and rice in fish stock
Chuletas al ajo cabañil: Garlic chops.
Concido relleno: Meat and vegetable stew.
Empedrao: Rice dish with broad beans.
Ensalada Murciana: Salad with tomatoes, garlic, aubergines, onions, red peppers and tuna.
Gachasmigas: A dish made of wheat flower, garlic, olive oil and sausages.
Habas con jamón: Ham with broad beans.
Huevas de mújol: Local caviar from the Mar Menor.
Menestra: Sauteed vegetables
Michirone: Ham and chorizo stew
Paella huertana: Vegetable paella.
Pastel de carne: Pastry filled with tomato, egg and meat.
Pescado a la sal: Baked fish in salt.
Potaje: A rich local stew.
Revuelto: A type of tapas with scrambled eggs, runner beans, garlic, ham and onions.
Tortilleras: Potato and garlic omelette.
Zarangollo: Ratatouille omelette with eggs, tomatoes, pumpkin, onions and courgettes.

There are a great number of tapas bars in the city, particularly in the Plaza de las Flores and the Gran Via Alfonso X area. A great place for morning coffee, tapas or paella is in the Cathedral Square -  Plaza Cardenal Belluga. There are restaurants and bars in Murcia to suit all budgets ranging from the cheaper places in the Plaza San Juan and Plaza de Julian Romea areas to the famous Rincon de Pepe restaurant.

We have provided details of the most popular restaurants in Murcia with contact numbers so that you can make a reservation during your stay.

Rincón de Pepe
Apósteles, 34, Murcia
Tel: +34 968 212 239
Website: www.nh-hoteles.es

Murcia's most famous tapas restaurant.  It is always full but the service is generally quick. We recommend the Menú de degustación which gives you a taste of the restaurant's most popular tapas dishes. like mojama (dried salted tuna) and mullet cooked in garlic. For dessert try the Paparajotes as described above.

Palacete Rural La Seda
Vereda del Catalán, Santa Cruz, Murcia
Tel: +34 968 870 848
Website: www.laseda.restaurantesok.com

Santa Cruz is a 10 minute drive from Murcia. This elegant restaurant is in a 17th century building originally built for use as a wine bodega and then used as a silk factory. Specialises in modern cuisine using local ingredients. One of the most expensive restaurants in the region with a €70 menu degustacion but well worth it.

Acuario
Pl. Puxmarina, 3, Murcia
Tel: +34 968 219 955
Website: www.restauranteacuario.com

A friendly family-run business near the cathedral. It has a split-level lounge and is divided into small dining areas on two floors. Innovative and traditional dishes using first class local produce chosen personally by the chef every day. Good wine list. 

Restaurante El Sordo
C/ Alhorbona s/n 30610 Ricote, Murcia
Tel: +34 968 697 209
Website: www.elsordo.es

Located in a small village surrounded by lemon groves in the Valley of Ricote which is  a 15 minute drive from Murcia.  It is a large restaurant but you will need to book a table in advance because it is extremely popular with locals. The portions are very generous offering a  mixture of traditional and creative cuisine. The house wine is made locally.  

Monteagudo
Av. Constitución, 93,Monteagudo, Murcia
Tel: +34 968 850 064
Website:www.restaurantemonteagudo.com

A 6km drive from Murcia (along the motorway), the Monteagudo offers some interesting local wines and excellent food with traditional dishes offering a modern twist. Meat and fish dishes and the grilled vegetables are all delicious, but  make sure you leave enough room for the warm chocolate soufflé.

Meson El Corral de Jose Luis
Plaza Santo Domingo 23, 30008 Murcia
Tel: +34 968 214 597

Murcian restaurant famous for its Menu del Dia and great vegetable tapas dishes. Meat dishes like Iberian tenderloin with garlic are also recommended. Rustic dining area which can seat seat 150 diners.

El Grumete
Plaza San Nicolas 3, 30005 Murcia 
Tel. +34 968 216 679)
also found on Calle Vara de Rey 6, 30001 Murcia
Tel. +34 968 220 807
Website: www.elgrumete.es

Known for its fresh seafood, especially mussels, El Grumete also offers a wide selection of rice dishes, including Arroz Caldero and paella.  Prices very reasonable.

Las Cocinas del Cardinal
Plaza Cardenal Belluga 7, Murcia
Tel: +34 968 211 310

Found in the square in front of the Murcia Cathedral and the Palacio Episcopal. It offers a fixed price menu and also a selection of tapas dishes.

Hispano Hotel Restaurant
Calle Radio Murcia 3, 30001 Murcia
Tel. +34 968 216 152
Website: www.hotelhispano.net

Serves Murcian delicacies like seasonal salads, fresh fish from the nearby Mar Menor, tapas dishes, grilled vegetables and stew of the day with homemade bread and Murcian wine. Tasty local fare in atmospheric, rustic surroundings with local market produce on the tables and traditional pots and pans on the wall.

 

The writer of this article is Linda Craik who has lived in Spain for a number of years. She works for Plus Four SL who specialise in writing airport guides including Murcia Airport which contains information on Murcia Airport Bars & Restaurants