Restaurante Astoria

Restaurante Astoria on Calle Castelar serves reliable Spanish classics in a no-frills dining room that has earned a loyal following among Melilla's working population. The weekday menú del día — priced between €10 and €12 — is the primary draw, delivering two courses, bread, and a drink at a price that is hard to beat in the city centre. Paella valenciana appears on the menu on Thursdays and Sundays, following the traditional Spanish rhythm in which rice dishes are reserved for specific days when the kitchen can prepare them in proper quantity. Tortilla española — thick-cut potato omelette, cooked through but moist at the centre — is one of the most ordered items at any hour. The dining room is clean and unpretentious, with straightforward furniture and sufficient space between tables. Service is efficient rather than formal; the staff know the regulars by name and move quickly during the lunchtime rush. À la carte dinners are a quieter affair, with grilled meat and fish making up the majority of the evening menu. The restaurant does not require reservations for the standard lunch service.