EL NIDO LA MANGA

El Nido is a rice and seafood restaurant in the Babilonia development, beside exit 18 from the Gran Vía, at km 1 of La Manga. It sits on the Mediterráneo beach, with views of the Cabo de Palos lighthouse, and sums up its cooking in three elements: market produce, charcoal-grilled wild fish and rice dishes from the Murcian coast.

Rice dishes and the day's fish

The house's signature rice dish is Cabo de Palos caldero (the local fish and rice stew). Reviews also mention paella, best ordered ahead, and several seafood and fish rice dishes. The day's fish is charcoal-grilled, and the menu is rounded out by meat, slow-cooked seasonal stews and a wine list.

For starters, reviews repeatedly mention:

• Marinera (a breadstick topped with Russian salad and an anchovy), classic or reinterpreted
• Anchovies
• Octopus, also prepared Cabo de Palos style
• Prawns, including large prawns in garlic or batter

Desserts appear in around ten reviews, almost always positively.

What diners say

El Nido's reviews are very positive and fairly consistent. Customers value the produce, attentive service with advice on what to order, and tables almost on the sand. More than one recommends booking ahead, especially for groups. It welcomes large groups and offers food for collection.

Season and opening hours

It is a seasonal restaurant: according to its website, it opens daily from June to mid-October, with the kitchen serving continuously from midday into the evening and the premises open until the early hours. At the edges of the season, Google lists shorter hours, with Monday closures and dinner only on Fridays and Saturdays. To compare other local rice restaurants, see the list of restaurants in La Manga.