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The Repsol Soletes, or “Little Suns”, recognise places where quality and warmth meet an affordable price. The guide describes them as everyday spots that feel special: inns, steakhouses, casual eateries with good daily menus, and relaxed restaurants with a more global or creative flair. In short, they are places worth returning to for their informal atmosphere and the sense that the team really cares about what they serve.

 

In the Region of Murcia, eight new Soletes have just joined the list, taking the Community’s total up to 112 recommended establishments. Five of the new spots are in the city of Murcia itself.

 

First up, is Barrapomelo which the Repsol guide describes as an “interesting, minimalist, and attractive” restaurant, with a creative, design‑led menu that includes a standout dish of cod with mushrooms and ponzu sauce.

 

Next is Madre Tigre, from Chinese‑born chef Jie Lin Wu, is praised as “the opening of the season”, bringing fast‑food‑style Asian takeaway with a modern twist to the city.

 

In the capital, La Lechera de Burdeos by Alberto Hernández is called “the temple of signature cheese in Murcia,” thanks to its carefully selected cheese board that has become a local favourite. The classic tapas bar Pepe Juan, run by Pepe Morales and Juan Guillamón, offers a warm, traditional atmosphere and a much‑recommended lobster tiger among its tapas.

 

Also in Murcia, Tabanko 825 stands out as a hybrid of Cádiz and Murcia flavours, located in the now‑popular San Antolín neighbourhood; the Repsol team highlights its tuna and shrimp fritters as a must‑try.

 

 

 

Beyond the capital, there is one new Soletes in three towns. In Cartagena, the long‑standing tavern Tío Andrés wins praise for holding on to its traditional roots since 1988 while still feeling fresh and current. The guide recommends its oxtail mille‑feuille and crystal prawns with egg and spring onions, as well as noting its title of Best Bar in the Region of Murcia in 2025.

 

In the wine village of Bullas, Taller de Sabores, led by Juana Fernández and an all‑female team, stands out for its deep connection to the land, growing its own produce and making its own drinks, with candied leeks listed as a speciality.

 

And finally, in Molina de Segura, the new Soletes is La Ritornata, a pizzeria built on memories of village festivals and a family terrace, described as “the Murcian temple of pizza” and known for its “wild” pizza, pistachio, and “casaú” topping - a name that acts as the restaurant’s playful, house‑special “from our home” style pizza.

 

For those in the Region of Murcia, these new Soletes are a reminder that the best kind of dining is often close to home: friendly, affordable, and rooted in local flavour.

 

 

 

 

 

Image: anakarakash/Pixabay