El China - Cuevas del Almanzora

Cuevas del Almanzora is not really a tourist place and El China is not aimed at providing fine-dining for any tourists who happen to call in. What they do is provide drink and tapas for the local workmen of the town and this is what makes it probably a better place to try tapas than any of the other tourist oriented places (being able to speak a little bit of Spanish probably helps with communication with the waitresses). We had been there before and knew what to expect and two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice and a selection of tapas later, we left extrememly satisfied. Can't say fairer than that really.

Cuevas is a working town with markets on Tuesday and Thursday when the square in front of the castle is busy. El China provides the perfect place to have breakfast before a shop or a rest afterwards. A good selection of quality tapas and all at very reasonable prices. Just sit and people watch.

We visited for a breakfast,and were very disappointed.The order was wrong, and yet was something so simple.2 tapas from the bar,ready made.They piled both onto the same plate,and served it cold on a dirty table...not a word spoken. I asked for sal salt] and got a 'Wot '....!! The tables and chairs were dirty,and the service was unfriendly.Nobody spoke and when they got the order wrong,banged the plates on the table...at that point we should have left. Coffee was bitter,with cups only half full Americano ordered],just lazy...food very ordinary when it was eventually returned as we had asked. The server was abrupt,and surly.She didn 't take any care with what she did,and the reason for flies, she left dirty plates on tables,that remained unwiped,and just walked past empty handed on multiple occasions.She had a bad attitude. They refused to cook anything on the plancha fresh,as they said its too busy.....odd as most tables were dirty and empty... Coffee prices not displayed are also higher than the norm. We will not return,there are much better places just a few steps away,that do much better,and provide a better experience.

Bar de toda la vida con comida casera y unas vistas del castillo del Marqués Velez inmejorable

We have tried three tapas and the three very good, the price was also very good. highly recommended.