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Creative Mediterranean cuisine with Basque and French influences and a crisply elegant setting make this one of the top dining destinations in Murcia.

Traditional recipes are given a contemporary twist; try the sea bass with caramelized apple.

L’Albufera covers all bases with lots of tapas plus an array of excellent local rice dishes. It offers a good value fixed-price menu at lunchtimes, and, unusually, in the evenings too.

This elegant chalet at the foot of the mountains serves elaborate regional cuisine – succulent lamb, exquisitely fresh fish, heavenly desserts. There are beautiful mountain views from the terrace.

Complete with colourfully tiled walls and a stack of wine barrels, this classic tapas bar in the heart of the old quarter serves an extensive menu of traditional tapas.

This classic, colourfully tiled mesón on a lively square serves hearty Castilian stews and grilled meat, and the tapas bar has an excellent selection of traditional dishes.

This family-run bar and restaurant is always packed to the rafters. The tapas are some of the best in town. Try the melt-in-the-mouth octopus cooked Galician-style.

Upstairs is one of the best restaurants in Alicante (see Nou Manolín, Alicante). Downstairs, the exceptional range and quality of the tapas means it’s usually standing room only at the bar.

Excellent rice dishes (including a spectacular arroz a la banda ) are on offer at this welcoming restaurant, with an elegant whitewashed dining room upstairs and a fantastic tapas bar downstairs (see Nou Manolín).

The tapas at Pacopepe are among the best in town. Try the delicious stuffed artichokes, or one of the celebrated mushroom dishes – everything is fresh from the orchards and gardens around the city.