The cultural richness of the peoples of Melilla, transferred to the kitchen, provides us with an extravagant mix of tastes and smells, and a very diverse gastronomy.

Mediterranean cooking, with its trilogy of fish, shellfish and molluscs, and foods rich in exotic tastes and spices, is one of the strong points.

As a Mediterranean city, Melilla conserves and promotes the typically-Spanish tradition of eating tapas accompanied by a good wine or a refreshing beer. Every bar has its speciality tapas, and there are three particular areas: the centre, the area around the maritime walk, and the Real neighbourhood. You cannot escape the tapas route in Melilla!

In Mediterranean cuisine fish and seafood is a must, whether it be fish specialities (chanquetes, fresh anchovies, squid, sardines, anchovies in salmuera...), shellfish (lobster, Norway lobster, prawns, and the exquisite "langostinos de la Mar Chica") or molluscs (mussels, clams...) They are traditionally prepared in an attractive way, always bursting with taste and colour.

The cultural mix of Melilla can be seen in the Arab-style preparation of many foods and in the clever way spices are used. It is also impossible to leave without trying the typical "pincho Melillense" accompanied by mint tea, something which is only found here, or an always appetizing cous-cous, the perfect mix of Mediterranean flavours.