Bar La Marina

Bar La Marina sits on Avenida de la Marina, a short walk from the commercial port, in the seaward-facing strip of cafés and bars that serves Melilla's port workers, commuters, and maritime visitors. From early morning it operates as a café, dispensing coffee, tostadas, and fresh orange juice to those making the ferry crossing to or from Almería and Málaga. As the day progresses, the menu pivots to seafood tapas, with gambas al ajillo — prawns sizzled in olive oil, garlic, and chilli — arriving in terracotta cazuelas alongside cold beers. Pulpo a la gallega, Galician-style octopus seasoned with paprika, salt, and olive oil on a wooden board, has become a local fixture despite its northwestern Spanish origins, and the kitchen's version is consistently well-executed. Croquetas de bacalao — salt cod croquettes with a creamy interior — round out the tapas selection. The bar does not take reservations and operates on a drop-in basis throughout the day, making it a reliable informal choice at any hour. The terrace, overlooking the avenue, provides a pleasant outdoor option in fine weather.