Chiringuito Playa Chica, La Manga: set menu, à la carte and reviews

Sardines, hot-stone meat and sunsets at km 16,5

Chiringuito Playa Chica is a seasonal beach bar on the sand beside Mar Menor, at km 16,5 of the Gran Vía in La Manga, open since 2005 according to the business. Two themes dominate reviews: sunset over the lagoon, mentioned dozens of times, and sardines, mentioned almost as often.

What to eat: seafood and grilled dishes

Playa Chica's menu has two halves, and the venue prides itself on preparing them in separate kitchens. The fish side includes sardines, chopitos (baby squid), caldero (the local fish and rice stew), rice dishes and seafood platters to share, which several customers order for two. The meat side uses a hot stone: lamb, churrasco (grilled meat) or rabbit with potatoes roasted in a wood-fired oven. There are barbecues on summer evenings.

Beyond the classics, reviews repeatedly mention zamburiñas (small scallops), octopus, burrata salad and mixed fried seafood. Desserts are homemade, and mojitos appear in dozens of comments.

What visitors say

Service earns much of the praise, with staff recommending less usual dishes and several waiters named in reviews. The most-repeated advice is to book, as it fills at lunchtime and available tables are left for mid-afternoon.

Season and opening hours

The season starts around Easter and ends in late September. In high summer it opens for lunch and dinner; outside those weeks Google lists only midday to mid-afternoon. It closes Wednesdays in both cases. There is a beachfront terrace and a glazed area for windy days.

Access

The entrance, dining room, toilets and parking are wheelchair accessible, and staff are bilingual, something overseas visitors appreciate. Other tables on the sand are listed in beach bars in La Manga.

Frequently asked questions

What is on the menu at Chiringuito Playa Chica?

Fish and shellfish (sardines, chopitos (baby squid), caldero (the local fish and rice stew), rice dishes and seafood platters) and hot-stone meat with potatoes roasted in a wood-fired oven. Summer barbecues at night.

Does Playa Chica open in the evening?

In high summer, yes. Outside those weeks it usually opens only from midday until mid-afternoon, and always closes on Wednesdays.

When does Playa Chica open for the season?

Around Easter, staying open until late September.

Do you need to book at Playa Chica?

Yes, it is advisable. It fills up at lunchtime, and without booking there are usually only tables for later.

What do customers think of Playa Chica?

They highlight the sunset, sardines, zamburiñas (small scallops) and waiting staff's service.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The entrance, dining room, toilets and parking are accessible.

Chiringuito Playa Chica

Sardines, hot-stone meat and sunsets at km 16,5

What to eat: seafood and grilled dishes

What visitors say

Season and opening hours

Access

What's on offer

Cuisine and specialities

Setting

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

Leave a review

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