Forget fancy fusion. Here, you get generous portions of Murcian classics, often with the castle and Cristo statue as your backdrop. It's where locals go for a casual beer and a bite.
The Tapas Scene
Monteagudo (mon-tay-ah-GOO-doh) is a pedania, basically a village within Murcia city. It's famous for the castle and the huge Cristo statue on the hill. The tapas scene here is small but solid.
Expect family-run bars, not trendy spots. Most places are along Calle Mayor and around the main square. The atmosphere is relaxed, with locals chatting over cañas (small beers) and plates of food.
Prices are reasonable. A tapa with a drink usually costs €2.50-€4. Full raciones (sharing plates) are €8-€15. It's one of the more affordable areas in Murcia for eating out.
Best Tapas Bars
Bar El Castillo
€Right by the castle entrance. Their pipirrana (Murcian tomato and pepper salad) is the best in the area. Order it with a caña and sit outside for the view. Address: Calle Castillo 12, Monteagudo.
Mesón Monteagudo
€€A proper mesón (tavern) with wooden beams and hams hanging from the ceiling. Try the michirones (stewed broad beans) or zarangollo (scrambled eggs with courgette). Hearty portions. Address: Calle Mayor 45, Monteagudo.
La Tasca del Cristo
€Small, busy bar near the Cristo statue. Their montaditos (small sandwiches) are famous – the lomo con pimientos (pork loin with peppers) is a must. Gets packed at weekends. Address: Plaza del Cristo 3, Monteagudo.
Bar-Restaurante Vista Alegre
€€More of a restaurant, but they do great tapas at the bar. The terrace has panoramic views of the valley. Order a ración of croquetas or ensalada murciana. Address: Carretera de la Ermita 7, Monteagudo.
Cafetería El Mirador
€A basic café that does decent tapas. Good for a quick bite if you're visiting the castle. Their tortilla española (Spanish omelette) is solid. Address: Avenida de la Constitución 22, Monteagudo.
Local Tips
Go for tapas in the evening, from around 8pm onwards. Lunchtime is quieter. Weekends are busiest, especially Sunday afternoons when families go out.
In most bars, you get a free tapa with your drink. If you want something specific, ask for "una tapa de..." followed by the dish. For sharing, order raciones.
Monteagudo gets very hot in summer. Many bars have terraces but few have strong air conditioning. Evenings are better, or go in spring/autumn.