Cafe Bar El Tato

Cafe Bar El Tato is a family-run tapas bar at number 32 Calle Mayor in Los Belones, the village in Cartagena that you pass through on the way to La Manga and Cabo de Palos. It opens from very early until late evening and is known locally for its home-cooked daily set menu and well-priced tapas.

What to eat

At lunchtime, the home-cooked set menu is the most popular choice. Outside the set menu there are tapas, sharing plates and baguette sandwiches, with croquetas (Spanish croquettes) and tomato among the most-mentioned dishes. Several reviews also highlight caldero, the local fish and rice stew from Mar Menor.

• Set lunch menu
• Tapas and sharing plates
• Croquetas (croquettes)
• Caldero (local fish and rice stew)
• Filled baguettes

It serves breakfast in the morning, and ice-cold beer is another frequently mentioned feature.

Atmosphere

It is a traditional, unpretentious family-run bar with local customers. It has indoor tables and a terrace, accepts bookings and provides highchairs. Google puts spending at 10 to 20 euros per person.

Opening hours and parking

Closed on Thursdays; the rest of the week it opens from early morning until late evening. Free street parking is easy to find, and the premises are wheelchair accessible. More places to eat nearby in the restaurant directory.