Savor La Manga Club: A Gastronomic Journey Through Mediterranean Spain’s Finest Cuisine
Beyond its reputation as a sporting paradise, La Manga Club offers guests an extraordinary culinary journey that showcases the best of Spanish cuisine while incorporating international influences. From casual poolside dining to elegant fine-dining establishments, the resort’s diverse restaurants provide memorable gastronomic experiences for every palate and occasion.
Restaurant Spotlight Series
Amapola Restaurant: Located within the Hotel PrÃncipe Felipe, Amapola stands as La Manga Club’s fine-dining crown jewel. The elegant space features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the golf courses and Mediterranean landscape. Executive Chef Nicolas Cedro crafts sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients and artistic presentation. Signature dishes include the Caldero del Mar Menor (a traditional rice dish with local seafood) and the herb-crusted rack of Murcian lamb with rosemary jus.
Luigi’s: This beloved Italian trattoria brings authentic flavors of Italy to the Spanish coastline. The warm, rustic ambiance complements a menu of hand-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and classic Italian entrées. Don’t miss the seafood linguine featuring fresh catch from the nearby Mediterranean or the truffle and wild mushroom risotto that has become a favorite among returning guests.
Asia Restaurant: Offering a pan-Asian journey, this stylish venue brings together influences from Thailand, Japan, China, and Vietnam. The sushi bar provides fresh nigiri and creative maki rolls, while hot dishes range from fragrant Thai curries to Chinese stir-fries. The signature crispy duck with hoisin sauce and Asian-spiced black cod have earned reputations as must-try dishes.
La Bodega: Capturing the essence of Spanish dining culture, La Bodega specializes in authentic tapas and regional wines. The rustic décor, featuring wooden beams and wine barrels, creates an atmosphere reminiscent of traditional Spanish bodegas. Standout small plates include Iberian ham croquettes, grilled octopus with paprika, and local cheeses served with quince paste.
37 Spike & Sports Bar: This casual venue offers a relaxed atmosphere perfect for post-game refreshments. The menu features international comfort foods including gourmet burgers, club sandwiches, and hearty salads. Sports enthusiasts appreciate the multiple screens showing international sporting events and the selection of local craft beers.
Sol y Sombra: Overlooking the resort’s pool, this seasonal restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood. The paella, prepared in large traditional pans and served tableside, has become legendary among regular visitors. The outdoor terrace provides an ideal setting for lunch or dinner during the warmer months.
Meet the Chefs
Chef Nicolas Cedro: As Executive Chef overseeing Amapola, Cedro brings decades of experience from kitchens across Europe and South America. “My philosophy centers on respecting traditional techniques while incorporating modern presentation,” explains Cedro. “The Murcia region offers incredible products—from the seafood of Mar Menor to the vegetables of the inland fields—that inspire our seasonal menus.”
Chef Elena MartÃnez: Heading La Bodega, MartÃnez draws on her family heritage from nearby Cartagena. “Tapas represent the heart of Spanish social dining,” she shares. “Each small plate tells a story of regional traditions and local ingredients. My grandmother’s recipes form the foundation of our menu, though we add contemporary touches to appeal to international palates.”
Chef Akira Tanaka: The creative force behind Asia Restaurant, Tanaka trained in Tokyo before working throughout Southeast Asia. “Bringing authentic Asian flavors to Spain presents both challenges and opportunities,” Tanaka notes. “We import certain essential ingredients while utilizing local seafood and produce that rivals anything found in Asia.”
Regional Murcian Cuisine
The Murcia region, known as “Europe’s orchard,” provides La Manga Club’s restaurants with exceptional ingredients year-round. The area’s unique microclimate—with over 300 days of sunshine annually—produces remarkable fruits and vegetables that feature prominently across the resort’s menus.
Seafood Traditions: The proximity to both the Mediterranean Sea and Mar Menor lagoon influences the resort’s seafood offerings. Local specialties include caldero (a rice dish similar to paella but using only fish), marineras (small rounds of bread topped with Russian salad and an anchovy), and pescado a la sal (whole fish baked in a salt crust).
Vegetable Treasures: Murcian agriculture yields exceptional produce, with the region’s tomatoes, artichokes, and peppers enjoying particular renown. The resort honors these ingredients in dishes like zarangollo (a scramble of zucchini, onions, and eggs) and paparajotes (lemon leaves battered and fried, then dusted with cinnamon sugar).
Meat Specialties: The inland areas of Murcia produce excellent lamb and goat, featured in dishes like cabrito al horno (roasted kid goat with herbs) and cordero a la brasa (grilled lamb with garlic and rosemary).
Wine & Spirits of La Manga
The resort’s commitment to Spanish viticulture shines throughout its dining venues, with exceptional wine programs highlighting both well-known and emerging vineyards.
Jumilla and Yecla: These nearby wine regions produce robust reds from the Monastrell grape, offering exceptional value and quality. La Manga Club’s sommeliers have cultivated relationships with top producers, securing limited allocations of premium bottles.
Sherry Selection: La Bodega features an impressive collection of sherries from the Jerez region, ranging from bone-dry Fino to rich, sweet Pedro Ximénez. Guided tastings allow guests to explore these unique fortified wines.
Craft Cocktail Program: Beyond wine, the resort’s bars have embraced Spain’s growing craft cocktail movement. Signature creations incorporate local ingredients like citrus from Valencia, herbs grown on property, and regional spirits including Licor 43 from Cartagena.
Dining Events Calendar
Throughout the year, La Manga Club hosts special culinary events that showcase seasonal ingredients and celebrate gastronomic traditions.
Summer Barbecue Series: During July and August, evening barbecues bring together guests for alfresco dining featuring grilled seafood, meats, and vegetables accompanied by live music.
Harvest Festival: Each September, the resort celebrates the regional grape harvest with special tasting menus paired with local wines, including opportunities to meet winemakers from nearby bodegas.
Chef’s Table Experiences: Monthly intimate dining events at Amapola offer multi-course tasting menus with wine pairings, where Chef Cedro presents each dish and shares the stories behind his creations.
Cooking Classes: Weekly hands-on classes allow guests to learn traditional Spanish recipes, from perfect paella to authentic tapas, under the guidance of the resort’s culinary team.
Wine Journeys: Structured tastings led by the resort’s sommeliers explore different regions of Spain, comparing varietals and vintages while providing insight into the country’s rich viticultural history.
Dietary Considerations
La Manga Club has embraced contemporary dietary needs without compromising culinary excellence. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other specialised menus are available across all restaurants, with chefs taking pride in creating memorable dishes that accommodate all requirements.
Culinary Souvenirs
Visitors can take home a taste of their La Manga Club experience through the resort’s gourmet shop, which stocks regional specialties including olive oils, wines, artisanal cheeses, and preserves. Cookbook collections featuring recipes from the resort’s restaurants allow guests to recreate favorite dishes after returning home.
Whether you’re a dedicated gourmand planning your vacation around exceptional dining or a sports enthusiast seeking quality refreshment between activities, La Manga Club’s diverse culinary landscape offers experiences that become cherished memories alongside the resort’s renowned recreational facilities.
