ANDALUCÍA - ALMERÍA - GARRUCHA - RESTAURANTE ESCÁNEZ
Updated: Oct 27
RESTAURANTE ESCÁNEZ
We returned to an old favourite, Restaurante Escánez Garrucha, overlooking the fishing harbour in Garrucha on the Almería coast. Francisco (Paco) Escánez Collado established the restaurant in 1982 as a modest, family-run business. In 2004, Paco expanded the restaurant by acquiring the adjoining premises, doubling its capacity and creating a spacious dining room overlooking the Mediterranean.
Over the decades, Restaurante Escánez has built an excellent reputation for fresh fish and seafood, particularly Garrucha’s celebrated red prawns.
In 2019, we were invited to a special gastronomic celebration following Almería’s designation as Capital Española de la Gastronomía 2019 (Spanish Capital of Gastronomy).
Our visit began with a tour of Garrucha’s fish auction, followed by a magnificent feast at Castillo de San Ramón, home to Las Escobetas, on the outskirts of Garrucha.
The meal was prepared by several renowned local chefs, including Paco Escánez of Restaurante Escánez in Garrucha, Antonio Carmona of Terraza Carmona, and Juan Moreno of Restaurante Juan Moreno in nearby Vera.
Read more about this memorable gastronomic event HERE.
Today, Restaurante Escánez is a welcoming and well-appointed bar and restaurant. It offers an extensive selection of traditional tapas, a cosy indoor dining room and an outdoor terrace where diners can enjoy views of Garrucha’s bustling working harbour.
On this occasion, we had the following meal:
Láminas de ahíja de atún rojo (thin slices of bluefin tuna, sashimi-style).
Ensalada Escánez (the restaurant’s signature salad, prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients).
Galanes de temporada (seasonal Mediterranean razorfish, lightly fried).
These small, tasty fish are available only for a few weeks each year. They’re a prized local delicacy along the Almería coast.
Quisquillas de Garrucha (delicate local prawns).
These delicate little local prawns were marinated in lemon juice and served chilled over ice, with their distinctive blue roe still intact.
Gambón rojo de Garrucha (these succulent red prawns from the waters off Garrucha are prized for their rich, sweet flavour and were served simply grilled with sea salt).
The famous red prawn of Garrucha
Patatas a lo pobre (poor man’s potatoes: this traditional Andalusian dish features thinly sliced potatoes gently cooked in olive oil with onions and green peppers until beautifully soft, tender, and full of flavour. Simple, rustic cooking at its best).
Dessert
You can also try:
Mariscada para dos (seafood platter for two) – This magnificent platter featured an impressive selection of fresh seafood, including red prawns, langoustines, crayfish, mussels, clams, razor clams and shrimps. Beautifully presented, the shellfish was wonderfully fresh, sweet, and succulent, letting the natural flavours of the sea shine through.
Zarzuela de marisco (Spanish fish and seafood stew) – A traditional seafood stew combining a variety of fresh fish and shellfish in a rich, aromatic sauce of tomatoes, garlic, onions and white wine. More commonly associated with Catalonia and Spain’s northeastern Mediterranean coast, it is less frequently encountered in restaurants along the Almería coast.
Pata de pulpo crujiente – Crispy octopus leg
Verduras a la plancha – Grilled vegetables
Mejillones al vapor – Steamed mussels
Merluza a la plancha – Grilled hake
To accompany our seafood, we chose a bottle of José Pariente Verdejo 2022 (DO Rueda), a crisp, refreshing white wine with lively citrus notes and a subtle mineral finish. It paired beautifully with the fresh seafood. The restaurant also boasts an extensive and varied wine list.
Be sure to leave room for dessert, as Restaurante Escánez offers an excellent selection of homemade postres, providing a delicious end to the meal.
Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll along Garrucha’s charming seafront promenade, the perfect place to walk off a satisfying meal while enjoying the harbour views.
Chef Paco Escánez is in the middle of this picture.
Restaurante Escánez is always popular with Spanish diners, particularly locals, which is usually a reassuring sign of good, authentic food and a well-established reputation.
Some fresh fish and seafood are priced by weight rather than per portion, so check the price before ordering to avoid surprises when the bill arrives.
RESTAURANTE ESCÁNEZ Paseo Del Malecón 38, 04630 Garrucha, Almería +34 950 46 02 78 www.restaurantescanez.com
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