Murcia marinera competition returns to La Manga with 180 bars and tapas

Through the end of September and until mid-October, the Region of Murcia’s stunning coastline is participating in a gastronomic competition that will see the participation of nearly 200 local establishments. The 4th edition of the Best Marinera Route Competition, which kicked off on Friday, September 18, is a highly anticipated regional cuisine competition that will have the best restaurants along the coastline going head to head.

Savoury tapas route returns to La Manga this October

In total, 180 pubs and restaurants will be participating in the route, including numerous establishments in La Manga, Cabo de Palos, Los Belones, and other locations around the Mar Menor. The competition, set to last until Sunday, October 18, will allow visitors to participate and discover different versions of the marinera, a tapa that is traditional to Murcia.

What is a marinera? Murcia’s famed seafood tapa

The marinera is a crunchy, ring-shaped breadstick called a rosquilla, topped with a scoop of creamy Russian potato salad mixed with tuna, eggs, and pickled vegetables, and topped off with a salted anchovy. During the event, residents and newcomers can visit local establishments and try the iconic Murcian treat for a special price of €4.50, as well as vote for their favourite version through the official route website, lamejormarinera.es. 

The competition will have two categories: Best Traditional Marinera and Best Reinvented Marinera, in which establishments will compete to reach the final and face off to boast the title of Best Marinera on the shining coastline.

Participating restaurants in Cabo de Palos, La Manga and Mar Menor

In Cabo de Palos, El Faro, La Sartenica and Las Brasas del Cabo are participating, whereas in La Manga, Área Sunset, Bear Burger, Boba Ensenada, El Chalao, El Nido, El Rincón de Borja, Flow, Jose Mari 2, La Esquinica, Nino’s, Pata Palo Tapas, Restaurante El Jardín, Restaurante Los Caballos, Restaurante Marego’s and Surfing La Manga are entering the fray.

In addition, in the Mar Menor area, participating restaurants include the Apicoco Bar in Playa Honda, and Brasería Garnacha in Los Belones, also competing to win the recognition of the best marinera in the Region of Murcia.

Organised by the Euro-Toques Region of Murcia and sponsored by Mahou San Miguel , the initiative seeks to highlight the work of the regional hospitality industry around one of Murcia’s most recognisable tapas.