The culinary manifestation of Melilla's cultural wealth is an extravagant melange of tastes and aromas offering an enormous variety of choices for the gourmet.

As a Mediterranean city, Melilla maintains and promotes the typically Spanish custom of 'tapas' washed down with a fine wine or thirst-quenching beer. Every bar has its own 'tapas' speciality, and there are three areas that are particularly known for them: the centre, the area around the Promenade and the 'Real' neighbourhood. The city's 'tapas circuit' is a must.

The Mediterranean cuisine is drawn principally from the sea: fish specialities include whitebait, fresh anchovies, squid, sardines, and anchovies in brine; a wealth of shellfish includes lobster, crayfish, prawns and the exquisite 'Little Sea lobsters', as well as mussels and clams fried up in delicious tasty mixtures.

The cultural mix of Melilla is also evident in the Arab preparation of many ingredients and in the skilled use of herbs and spices. Another must is the typical 'Melillan tapa', accompanied by a mint tea that can only be found in this city, or a plate of delicious couscous, full of Mediterranean flavour.