Where to eat in Carboneras
The best tapas, seafood, grilled meat, the famous squid sandwich and the set lunch menu. Recommended by the skippers of Rent a Boat Cabo de Gata, who live here all year round.
Carboneras is a fishing town in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, and you can taste it: catch of the day, red prawns, rice dishes and generous tapas. This isn’t a list copied from the internet: these are the places we go to ourselves and where we send our guests when they step off the boat.
The best tapas bars in Carboneras
Calle Sorbas is the tapas street: two of our favourites are just a few steps apart.
Café Bar Bella Mar
The classic, old-school tapas bar of Carboneras. With every drink you pick a free tapa from the board, and here they’re big and home-made. Local atmosphere, a terrace and old-fashioned prices.
Tapería El Escándalo
On the same street as Bella Mar, so you can hop between the two. A wide choice of tapas, good beer and cocktails, and a terrace to make the evening last after a sunset boat trip.
Where to eat seafood in Carboneras
Juan Mariano
A beachfront classic for seafood in Carboneras. Prawns, catch of the day and sea views. Ideal for a special meal after a day out on the water.
ℹ️ It may close some days out of season: call or check its Google listing before you go.
The best grill in Carboneras
Asador Ajo y Guindilla
The go-to place in Carboneras when you fancy meat: Asador Ajo y Guindilla. Expertly grilled meats, unforgettable home-made croquetas and stews (some need to be ordered in advance).
Morning at sea, lunch at the harbour
Explore the unspoilt coves of Cabo de Gata and step off the boat straight to lunch. We’ll tell you where to go, whatever you fancy.
- ✅ Book with just 20 %, pay the rest on board
- 🌦️ Bad weather? We change the date or refund you
- ⭐ 5.0 on Google · local skippers
The best squid sandwich in Carboneras
Bar El Puerto de Mario
Right by the harbour where our boats leave from. This is where you’ll find the best squid sandwich in Carboneras, plus fried fish and generous portions. Perfect before or after your boat trip.
A town to stroll around between meals
Staying longer? Check out our guide to things to do in Carboneras: the castle, San Andrés Island, Playa de los Muertos, Mesa Roldán and the coves you can only see from the sea.
How to eat well in Carboneras
Eating in Carboneras: common questions
Where are the best tapas in Carboneras?
On Calle Sorbas: Café Bar Bella Mar and Tapería El Escándalo are a few steps apart, with a tapa of your choice with every drink.
Where can I eat seafood in Carboneras?
Juan Mariano, right on the beachfront on Calle Nueva, is one of the classics for seafood and prawns.
Are there places to eat near Carboneras harbour?
Yes. Bar El Puerto de Mario is right by the harbour on Avenida Faro Mesa Roldán and is famous for its squid sandwich. It’s exactly where our boat trips leave from.
Where can I eat cheaply in Carboneras?
To eat well without spending much: the set lunch at R-que-R or a tapas crawl along Calle Sorbas.
Can I combine a boat trip with lunch in Carboneras?
It’s the perfect plan. Head out to the Cabo de Gata coves in the morning and be back at the harbour for lunch. Book here or call us on 600 698 935.
Shall we sail Cabo de Gata together?
Shared trips, private charter with skipper or self-drive boat rental from Carboneras harbour. Call or message us and we’ll reply quickly.
- ✅ Book with just 20 %, pay the rest on board
- 🌦️ Bad weather? We change the date or refund you
- ⭐ 5.0 on Google · local skippers
Photos: Luis Rogelio HM (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Luis Rogelio HM (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Eduardo Milla (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Luis Rogelio HM (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Enlasnubesdealmeria (CC0) · isol (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.