El Ancla

El Ancla is a restaurant and café on the Aldea de Taray Club seafront promenade, at km 17,3 of La Manga, in the Veneziola area. Its terrace is right beside the shore of Mediterráneo, facing Isla Grosa, and the business says it opened in 1994. It is known for paella, caldero (the local fish and rice stew) and moderately priced fish.

The menu, dish by dish

The cooking is Mediterranean and Murcian, based on rice and seafood. Paella appears in dozens of reviews, closely followed by seafood, caldero (the local fish and rice stew) and arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock). Customers' most popular choices are:

• paella, caldero (the local fish and rice stew) and arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock)
• octopus, cuttlefish and baby squid
• sardines and squid, grilled or Andalusian-style fried
• fried fish to share
• homemade croquettes

There are meat dishes, well-reviewed homemade desserts and wines from Jumilla, Bullas and Campo de Cartagena, as the restaurant highlights. A meal costs around 20 to 30 euros per head, according to Google.

What the reviews say

The terrace on the sand and friendly service come up most often, especially at dinners with live music.

From morning coffee to the last drink

El Ancla opens every day of the week, from breakfast until after midnight, with no closing day. Mornings bring coffee, filled baguettes and breakfasts; afternoons offer appetisers and ice creams. Some evenings have live music, and the indoor dining room has a fireplace.

Bookings, dogs and parking

Google says reservations are required, and one customer describes booking as essential. Dogs can stay on the terrace, highchairs are available, and the restaurant is wheelchair-accessible, including the parking. Street parking in the area is free. For other places to eat in the north of the island, see the list of restaurants in La Manga.