La Oliva Restaurante

La Oliva Restaurante is a restaurant serving Mediterranean cooking with modern touches on Calle Rosales in Mar de Cristal, right on the seafront promenade overlooking the Mar Menor. It is a few minutes' drive from La Manga, and two things recur in reviews: the tuna, especially the tartare, and the cocktails for lingering on the terrace into the evening.

What to order

The menu combines seafood with sharing dishes drawing on a wider range of influences. The most frequently mentioned dishes in reviews are:

• bluefin tuna tartare
• katsu sando (a Japanese breaded cutlet sandwich)
• milanesa (a breaded cutlet) to share
• ajo blanco (chilled almond and garlic soup) and gazpacho
• brioches and dishes with sobrasada (spreadable cured pork sausage)
• marineras (Russian salad on bread rings with anchovies) and anchovies

There are also rice dishes, meat and fish, and gluten-free options. Google also highlights the desserts and wine selection.

Terrace and atmosphere

The terrace facing the Mar Menor is the most sought-after spot, both for dinner and for a drink afterwards. Booking a table in advance is advisable in high season.

Opening hours

It opens from midday Wednesday to Sunday; on Sundays it closes in the afternoon, and on Tuesdays it opens only in the afternoon and evening. Sources disagree about Mondays, so it is worth checking. The premises, including the toilets, are wheelchair-accessible. For more nearby options, see restaurants in the area.