Bon Appetit

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• Bar Bonanza read more ›
  (Calle Rossetti, El Chaparral, Torrevieja. )
  Fresh tapas is made daily and dishes such as meatballs, marinated anchovies, baby spicy sausages, Russian salad and squid are on offer at reasonable prices.
• Gran Bar Rhin read more ›
  (5 Plaza San Pedro. Tel. 968 211 327)
  Established city-centre bar that serves excellent tapas. It is well-known for its fresh and fried seafood, which is often served up at the bar.
• Nuestro Bar read more ›
  (7 Ciclista Mariano Rojas. Tel. 968 280 432)
  Serves an inexpensive three-course menu at lunchtimes, with tapas also available from the bar.
• La Tapa read more ›
  (12 Plaza de las Flores. Tel. 968 211 317)
  Offers a good selection of tapas dishes, including seafood such as clams, lobster, garlic prawns and squid. There's also some tasty tortilla Española (Spanish omelette).
• Casa Gallato read more ›
  (33 Avenida de los Pinos. Tel. 968 292 517)
  Cured hams hang from the ceiling in the bar area and the restaurant specialises in chargrilled meats. Rice dishes are available with vegetables, as well as meat and seafood plates.
• Los Toneles read more ›
  (7 Calle Cánovas del Castillo. )
  Tuck into top tapas at this traditional bar. The mussels are a local favourite-as are the tasty garlic potatoes.

• Don Camilo read more ›
  (2 Plaza Mayor. Tel. 968 219 063)
  Eat inside or outside in this Italian-style restaurant. The Plaza Mayor is usually bathed in sunshine and is a pleasant place sit. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes including pizzas, salads and pasta. House specialities include tuna lasagne and the delicious calamares al pomodoro (octopus in tomato sauce).
• Restaurante Alborada read more ›
  (4 Calle Lepanto. Tel. 968 232 323)
  Offers some great regional dishes made with fresh ingredients bought each day at the nearby market.
• Doña Lola read more ›
  (Plaza Cristo del Rescate. Tel. 968 220 096)
  In the heart of the Old Town, tasty home cooking includes meat dishes served with fresh produce from local farmers' fields.
• Casa El Cherro read more ›
  (Avenida Miguel de Cervantes. Tel. 96 8297 8469)
  Roomy, family-run restaurant that offers rustic fare with a fine selection of meats and charcuterie. The home-made flan is delicious.
• El Pincho de Castilla read more ›
  (53 Calle Jiménez de la Espada, Cartagena. Tel. 968 508 987)
  Great salads and some tasty local specialities such as hake in cider or ribs from the grill. Top tapas is served in the bar, too.
• La Pequena read more ›
  (Plaza de San Juan. Tel. 968 219 840)
  The menu includes dishes such as the symphony of grilled vegetables. There's also a great set tapas meal at this eatery in the heart of the old quarter.

• Hotel Hispano 11 read more ›
  (3 Calle Radio Murcia. Tel. 968 216 152)
  A posh hotel with an extensive menu. The delicious caldo marinero del Mar Menor (seafood casserole) is a good choice.
• Azafrán read more ›
  (3 Calle de la Palma. Tel. 968 523 172)
  Modern and creative restaurant with head chef José Luis Botella producing some formidable dishes, which include aubergine with anchovy mousse and olive vinaigrette. For dessert, try the warm chocolate mousse with bitter orange sauce.
• Azafrán read more ›
  (3 Calle de la Palma. Tel. 968 523 172)
  At this modern, creative restaurant head chef José Luis Botella produces some formidable dishes, including aubergine with anchovy mousse and olive vinaigrette. He also creates superb fresh fish dishes. For dessert, try the warm chocolate mousse with bitter orange sauce.
• Baltasar read more ›
  (10 Plaza de los Apóstoles. Tel. 968 220 924)
  Top Basque cuisine in this city centre eatery. Sample the great seafood options, including the traditional Basque dish Biscay cod or the tuna steak.
• El Pescador read more ›
  (5 Calle Torrevejenses Ausentes, Torrevieja. Tel. 965 715 474)
  One the best seafood restaurants on the coast. Just off the harbour in Torrevieja, this intimate eatery offers traditional dishes, including oven-baked sea bass in salt, and excellent seafood, such as clams in garlic. Free dips to start with and an extensive wine list round off the meal.
• Acuariuon read more ›
  (3 Plaza Puxmarina. Tel. 968 219 955)
  Pleasant restaurant that's near the strapping cathedral. Squeeze through a small door into the spacious restaurant. Creative cooking and excellent meat dishes.

• Meson de la Costa read more ›
  (23 Calle Ramon y Cajal, Torrevieja. Tel. 96 670 3598)
  Generally accepted as one of the best restaurants in the region, the Meson, near Torrevieja's port, is a seafood-lover's dream. Just inside the entrance examples of the catch of the day are laid out in an iced showcase next to a large lobster tank.
• Restaurante El Pescador read more ›
  (5 Calle Torrevejenses Ausentes, Torrevieja. Tel. 965 715 474)
  One of the best seafood restaurants in the region, El Pescador serves superb salads and tasty clams cooked in garlic, followed by a wide selection of fresh fish and local delicacies such as sea bass, oven-baked in rock salt. It also boasts a good wine list.
• El Barrio de San Roque read more ›
  (30 Calle Jabonerías, Cartagena. Tel. 968 500 600)
  Boasts a splendidly varied menu created by head chef José Antonio Nieto. Try the delicious house-style cod or monkfish with saffron. The fresh fish is delivered daily direct from the coast to this classy restaurant.
• Alfonso X read more ›
  (8 Avenida Alfonso X El Sabio . Tel. 968 231 066)
  Top restaurant where you can watch the chefs working in the kitchen from the bar. The grilled steaks are very tasty and the fish baked in salt is superb. Tuck into duck liver with mustard and honey, and grilled cod with tomato.
• Hotel Hispano read more ›
  (3 Calle Radio Murcia. Tel. 968 216 152)
  An up-market hotel in the city centre which offers a varied à la carte menu in plush surroundings. Head chef Joaquín Abellán changes the excellent stews on a daily basis and also offers dishes such as sea bream with honey and spices.
• Hotel Rosavictoria read more ›
  (2 Avenida del Rocio. Tel. 968 272 829)
  City-centre eatery that enjoys well-deserved plaudits for the quality of its food. There is an extensive menu, as well as a degustación set meal. Among the excellent fish dishes, try the sea bass with garlic sauce.

After Dark

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• Bar Warhol read more ›
  (25 Calle Victorio. )
  Pop art heaven with copies of the Velvet Underground mentor's pictures on the walls, including the famous banana. Ideal for a quiet drink and chat.
• Cafetín Arabe read more ›
  (8 Calle Ruipérez. Tel. 968 222 042)
  Great spot to grab grab a coffee or tea in a Moorish setting and watch the world go by. Don't forget the sticky buns, too.
• Josepe read more ›
  (9 Arquitecto Emilio Piñero. )
  A tapas bar that stays open all day. While you're here, admire the paintings and photographs of the city from days gone by. Try a sherry and pan con tomate (bread with tomatoes) in the early evening before dinner.
• Bodega del Tío Ginés read more ›
  (Plaza de las Flores. )
  Beautiful tiles, and pictures of flamenco dancers and Spanish scenery give this bar an Andalucian feel. There's decent house wine and tasty tapas, too, making it an excellent spot to begin the evening.
• Mestizo read more ›
  (14 Calle Doctor Fleming. )
  Chilled café in the university quarter. A good spot to grab an early-evening drink.
• Punto de Enkuentro read more ›
  (2 Calle Estrella. )
  Café and bar near the Corte Inglés department store. This chilled-out spot offers tasty tapas to graze on while consuming an early evening beverage.

• Sala Stereo read more ›
  (16 Avenida Mariano Rojas. )
  A great club that stages concerts and DJ nights. See www.salastereo.com (Spanish only) for up-coming bands.
• Auditorio y Centro de Congresos Victor Villegas read more ›
  (Avenida Primero de Mayo. )
  This fantastic venue hosts great musicians, ranging from jazz to indie rock.
• Camelot read more ›
  (38 Carretera de Elche, Santa Pola. )
  Club hosting international and Spanish bands in an intimate setting (www.clubcamelot.com, Spanish only).
• Auditorio y Centro de Congresos Victor Villegas read more ›
  (Avenida Primero de Mayo. )
  This fantastic venue offers some great concerts, ranging from jazz to indie rock. See the website for the latest listings.
• Auditorio y Centro de Congresos Victor Villegas read more ›
  (Avenida Primero de Mayo. )
  This fantastic venue offers some great concerts, ranging from jazz to indie rock (www.auditoriomurcia.org).
• Guanábana Jam read more ›
  (6 Plaza Ceramica, Molina del Segura. )
  This new club with a stage and several bars is well worth a visit. Live bands play jazz, blues, soul and funk. Concerts are held most nights. See www.guanabanajam.com (Spanish only) for more details.

• Club 12 y Medio read more ›
  (Avenida Ciclista Mariano Rojas. )
  This venue is great for live bands and an all-round top night out. A cool vibe makes it popular with a young, student crowd.
• Mundaka Club read more ›
  (26 Carratera Santa Catalina. )
  A very popular club with three rooms and different sounds in each. Open till 6.30am on Friday and Saturday.
• DNC Dance Club read more ›
  (Puerta Nueva, Edificio Centrofama. )
  Trendy disco in the university quarter. DNC plays a wide variety of music, ranging from Spanish pop to house and more international tunes.
• Garaje de Tía María read more ›
  (Avenida de Miguel de Cervantes. )
  Eclectic music on the speakers, including Britpop, rock and house. It also hosts occasional live acts.
• Mundaka Club read more ›
  (26 Carratera Santa Catalina. )
  A very popular club with three rooms and different sounds in each. Open till 6.30am on Friday and Saturday.
• La Yeseria read more ›
  (24 Calle Santa Quiteria. )
  In the party area of the city, La Yeseria is a bohemian joint that plays Britpop, among other music genres. A popular spot, it gets busy at weekends.

This month...

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Tips

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