The best Spanish food you'll be crazy about in Murcia

Tapas are a seminal piece of Spanish culture and are easy to enjoy in Murcia. A tapa is a small snack served in Spain and is usually paired with other tapas to create a full meal for lunch or dinner. Hundreds of tapas, including meats, bread, cheeses, vegetables, seafood, and more, are available to explore in Murcia. 

Tapas are extremely popular today but actually became intertwined in Spanish culture centuries ago. The word "tapas" means "to cover" and refers to an act performed by ancient travelers. Innkeepers would provide customers with drinks and small servings of bread and cheese. The travelers would use these snacks to cover their drinks between sips to deter flies and bugs. Due to this, the tapas soon became an almost necessary pairing, and their demand grew. Since then, the tapas served have been greatly influenced by new cultures, spices, and trends, but they are still served as small snacks with drinks. You should seek out and try as many tapas as possible in Murcia. 

La Gavacha is one of the best restaurants to try tapas.

Croquettes are perhaps the most comforting tapa that Murcia has to offer. Croquettes are thick dumpling-style snacks that are breaded and deep-fried for a crispy, crunchy texture.

To prepare this delectable dish, thick, creamy béchamel sauce is cooled to form a dough that's rolled in breadcrumbs before it hits the deep-fryer. In some lucky cases, you'll also be able to find croquettes stuffed with ham or seafood for an even more excellent taste sensation. Croquettes are a delicious snack, appetizer, or even a whole meal if you prefer.  

Pura Cepa is a great choice for croquettes.

For a good reason, Gambas al Ajillo, or shrimp in garlic, is a classic tapa. Fresh shrimp is easy to find throughout Murcia, considering its proximity to the sea, but this dish truly spotlights the seafood. Shrimp is seared in plenty of garlic and olive oil with a light seasoning of red pepper, bay leaf, and a sprinkle of parsley.

Although there are numerous "al ajillo" style dishes throughout Spain and Latin America, Gambas al Ajillo is still unique. The word is deceptively simple but still delectable. Gambas al Ajillo is made even better with a side of crusty bread to dip into the extra garlic oil. 

Sample Gambas al Ajillo and more dishes at Restaurante Torremolinos.

Patatas bravas are an incredibly popular treat in Spain. In fact, the Spanish have been making this tapa since 1542.

Patatas bravas are small, bite-sized pieces of potatoes gently fried to crispy perfection and then covered in two succulent sauces. The first sauce, salsa brava, is what adds the "bravas" part to this tapa's name. Salsa brava is a thick, tomato-based sauce that adds spicy heat to this treat. In comparison, garlic aioli brings a cooling element with its thick and creamy consistency. Together, the two sauces create a perfectly balanced and scrumptious dish that's easy to enjoy as a snack before a meal or after a night out in Murcia. 

Swing by El Favorito Murcia to try patatas bravas. 

Tartare is a delicious and decadent dish of raw meat. While technically any meat can be served as "tartare," the three most common versions are steak tartare, salmon tartare, and tuna tartare.

The French certainly popularized steak tartare as a gourmet dish for highly trained palates. However, the popularity of tartare is present in Muria, where all versions of the dish are a luxury. Steak tartare in Muria carries a bit more spice and punch than its French counterpart and is definitely worth a taste. Yet, you're more likely to encounter the tender and mouth-watering salmon and tuna versions. Nevertheless, you can't go wrong with tartare in Murcia. 

La Tapeoteca is a great choice for classic tartare.

Gazpacho is a Spanish delicacy that's made for the sweltering summer months. Technically, gazpacho is a thick soup, however, it's always served cold.

The dish originated around Roman times as an effortless meal for peasants and shepherds across the country. Since then, tons of variations have been created, but gazpacho will always contain bread, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and salt at its core. However, the gazpacho variations can be broken down into three main categories based on their colour: red, white, and green. A red gazpacho will include a tomato base, white ones will be packed with dried fruits, and green gazpachos will be colored with spices. All versions of this tasty dish will include tons of refreshing flavour to help keep you cool in the Spanish heat. 

Check out Gelardo's for delicious gazpacho and more.

For a truly unique dessert, try and track down Leche frita in Murcia.

Leche frita, or "fried milk," is a pudding pastry formed by heating milk, flour, sugar, and cinnamon until it forms a thick dough. This dough is then fried in small squares and covered in sweet cinnamon sugar dust. This dessert is decadent and sweet with a soft, velvety interior and a crunchy shell. Fans of dessert will find it difficult only to order this dish once while in Murcia. 

Restaurante Rincón de Pepe is a great place to try leche frita. 

Paella is a dish that's essentially synonymous with Spanish cuisine. First invented in the Valencia region of Spain in the 19th century, the love for paella has spread across the entire country.

The traditional version, known as paella Valenciana, includes short-grain rice simmered in olive oil and saffron broth with mixed seasonal vegetables, beans, and meat ranging from chicken to rabbit or even duck. Paella de marisco, however, is a true showcase of Spanish seafood. This popular variation swaps the meat for a smattering of seafood, such as shrimp, mussels, and clams, alongside saffron broth, rice, and vegetables. Both versions are delectable and have a picturesque view of Spanish cuisine that you can try in Murcia.  

Restaurante Marisqueria Estrella de Mar offers some of the best paella.

Pisto is a healthy Spanish dish that doesn't sacrifice an ounce of flavour. Pisto is a Spanish food that's actually native to Murcia and closely resembles the French dish of ratatouille.

To make pisto, fresh tomatoes, pepper, onions, and occasionally squash are diced and stewed together with olive oil, spices, and sometimes sherry. The resulting mixture is a thick, warming stew that's full of flavour. How you enjoy pisto, however, will depend entirely on the restaurant you choose. While some establishments will serve pisto with a slice of bread for dipping, others may serve it over white rice, topped with a fried egg, or with tiny bits of ham. But, of course, all versions of pisto are exquisite. 

Check out Restaurante La Pequeña Taberna for great pisto.

If you have a sweet tooth, then churros are exactly what you'll need in Murcia. This Spanish dessert is made by piping a sweet dough into frying oil, frying until slightly crunchy, and then covering it in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Since the dough is piped, churros have ridged edges that absorb sweet cinnamon sugar perfectly.

Historians believe that churros have been around since the 1st Century in Rome. In fact, modern churros are also believed to be highly similar to the original recipe. Today, churros can be purchased from tons of street food vendors and enjoyed on the go in Murcia. 

Great churros can be found at Gastrobar Puerto rico.

Murcia offers lots of fun and entertainment and a great variety of popular Spanish dishes. You can't go wrong with this comfort food; every choice will be correct. If you've ever been to Murcia, please share your emotions with us.