We called in at La Cartagenera Bar Restaurante on the outskirts of Dolores, partly to see what their food and drink offering was like, but also to help me recover from my 4.95 beer earlier in San Fungencio ( read about this here ) that morning. Each time we have driven past, we have seen plenty of activity and their lunch menu board visible too.
3 or so years back we viewed a couple of properties a short drive from here, so we have driven past La Cartagenera Bar Restaurante quite a few times, but never got around to calling in there, previously. I do think though, this would have been a regular haunt for us, had we bought the property out there.
What We Had
Originally, my intention here was to try the tapas, however I decided to do a like for like to compare to the visit earlier ( you know, the one with the 4.95 beer ).
I ordered a tanque of Mahou, Soph had an Aquarius orange drink ( this was a can ).
Once again, we both just ordered a tostada here, Soph going for the nice and simple tomato, while I chose my favourite, the tomato, cheese and Serrano ham one. Again, both these were tasty, nice and fresh.
The tostadas were fine, the bread was thin as though been prepared more in a panini grill, but this didn’t detract in the flavour. There was salt and olive oil brought to us as they were served.
What We Liked
Friendly, welcoming service, there were at least a dozen other customers, all Spanish, so it’s quite a popular place, it seems.
Plenty of parking too, both in the car park and also on the side street.
What Could Be Improved
Nothing really comes to mind here, this is just what it is to look at: A traditional, rustic, authentic Spanish bar that does food, including a good priced menu del dia. One thing I’d have liked would have been a receipt, though! Again, not a huge issue, but it’s easier to report what things actually cost, as opposed to having to guess.
What It Cost
Yes, so after asking for the bill, while we were sat outside, the server came out and verbally told us the amount, “nueve setenta”, so the bill here was 9.70€.
Please keep in mind, this is therefore guesswork when it comes to the actual price breakdown.
Tanque 3.50€
Aquarius orange 2.00€
Tostada Con Tomate 1.30€
Tostada con Tomate, queso y jamon 2.90€.
I may be wrong with some of these prices, but the final amount was 9.70€, so I won’t be too far off, at a guess.
Would We Return To La Cartagenera Bar Restaurante
This is a yes, because they have a chalkboard outside with their menu del dia offer. Currently this is a 12€ lunch of 3 courses with drink and coffee.
While we were sitting on the terrace, the aroma of food cooking wafted out and it was mouth watering. As one of the main course options is carne al la brasa, which we enjoy, this seems like an obvious choice for the next visit.
How To Find La Cartagenera Bar Restaurante Dolores
They don’t appear to have any website or social media, but their address is Ctra. San Fulgencio, km1, Dolores, Valencian Community, Spain. This is the Google maps link, to make it easier to find.
The easy way to get here is through Dolores, then head out on the CV-859, and on your right you’ll see the huge gym ( Temple Of Fitness / Gimnasio AGR / CrossFit Dolores ) and then on the same side of the road, across the open land / car park you’ll see La Cartagenera Bar Restaurante.
