October 27 San Javier is the capital of the Marinera tapa of Murcia for a day!

16 finalists compete in San Javier to win the regional trophy for the favourite tapa of Murcia

The final of the Region of Murcia Marinera competition is to be held in San Javier on Tuesday 27th October, with 16 establishments from all over the Region hoping to be named winners for their preparation of this most popular of tapas.

(For the uninitiated, a marinera consists of a generous portion of Russian salad balanced on a “rosquilla” breadstick and topped with an anchovy: it’s simple, but delicious!)

In the 2026 edition of the competition as many as 180 bars and restaurants have been taking part for the title of Best Traditional Marinera and Best Reinvented Marinera in Murcia, and after votes from the general public have been counted the finalists have been decided. On the jury for the event in Parque Almansa will be gastronomists, journalists, institutional organizations and other social representatives, while the honorary title of “Father of the Marinera 2026) has been awarded to the Mayor of San Javier, José Miguel Luengo.

The finalists this year are the following:

Best Traditional Marinera: Bodega Teodoro (Murcia), Coronel (Bullas), Con Sentido de Mari (Cehegín), Kiosko Ben Arabí (Murcia) La Frontera (Cartagena), La Lupa (Nonduermas, Murcia), La Tapa de San Lorenzo (Murcia) and 1900 (Lorca).

Best Reinvented Marinera: Bar Ideal (Yecla), D’Pintxos (Mazarrón), La Flota (Cartagena), La Posada del Pez (Murcia), La Tasca de Noah (Calasparra), Leyendas (Murcia), Taberna la Tienda de Solita (La Unión) and Taberna La Cepa (Lorca).

Admission to the event is by invitation only, with a prize draw for invitations open to entrants through social media accounts of the organizers (www.lamejormarinera.es).

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the local tourist office in Santiago de la Ribera (main contact number 661 572285) or go to the home page of San Javier Today.