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    La Cueva del Mar

    4.4 (528 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood, Caribbean
    Open 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

    La Cueva del Mar Photos

    LA CUEVA DEL MAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - La Cueva del Mar

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    Steak & Rice  Mahi mahi tacos  Shrimp tacos
    Sharonda M.

    Everything was absolutely amazing from the customer service to the extensive menu provided so many options. It was honestly a little overwhelming, but in a good way. As a Taurus, of course you want authentic flavors you want more authentic vibes and I think this place did that for me. I asked the waitress for her recommendation between the salmon catch of the day and the steak. We went with the steak and she did not disappoint. This will be a recommendation to all of my fellow Americans

    Grouper with mash of the day
    Melanie V.

    Service was soo slow on a Monday, they were sold out of 3 of the fresh fish, and they couldn't get the order right when delivering. Anyway would not recommend.. grouper was very overcooked and mash was just a bunch of starch. We tried two sauces for the fish, verde and garlic which looked identical to the point the waitress couldn't tell us which was which. We believe the garlic one was incredibly salty. Like not needed. The other was good but again not needed. I put it on the mash which helped a bit. Likely I wouldn't return...

    Shrimp tacos
    Christine S.

    This is the "main restaurant" in the Embassy Suites Hotel and Casino. It's seafood based and has a pretty extensive menu. We got the Tuna nachos and the shrimp tacos to share. Everything was fresh and delicious! The portions were perfect for sharing and had a wonderful flavor! The shrimp tacos were lightly breaded and had a good flavor. The nachos had fresh ahi tuna and a great flavor with the seaweed salad! The service was good and fast too! The price was a bit high, but it's what you expect in a hotel lobby.

    Partial menu
    Renee J.

    Amazing food. Fun appetizers. Must try $7.95 shrimp camarones Arepas Rellanos. $12 Awesome hamburger, cooked to perfection the requested medium rare with crispy skinny fries. The double bun, makes it easy to divide the oblong hamburger patty tethered each half has buns

    Kevin D.

    Solid bites, decent location, nice but understaffed Here as a holdover spot before jumping on a boat. Had to grab a bite, so went to this place in the hotel to try. There was only one server on at the time, and she was working hard. The inside was nice, but there was a bunch of flickering lights around. Let the missus order, and she opted for the mahi mahi in a chickpea and chorizo sauce. Their house fried rice and beans, an empadilla, and some cheese balls with guava dipping sauce. Food took a while to come out, but we got our food and dug in. The food generally was good. The cheese balls were savory and salty which paired well with the slightly sweet guava. The empadilla had flavorful steak and flaky crust. The mahi mahi had a good crust and the fried rice was hearty and seasoned well. The issue I had besides the lack of servers was the overall texture of the sauces. They were thickened pretty heavily and although had flavor it wasn't descript. It had salt and body but no refined flavors. It was good, just hard to describe. Overall I enjoyed the food. Price was okay for a hotel attached restaurant. It needs some polish on its flavors but you'll have plenty to eat and it will fill the stomach

    Tried a variety of them the beef was the favorite

    The food was freshly made you can see the seafood. The meals were all delicious, got an alcohol beverage which was also tasty. I really wanted to eat breadfruit and this hit the spot. First time eating mofongo it was very tasty! Our waiter was very attentive.... Don't expect everything to be instant this is about enjoying company and relaxing welcome to Puerto Rico where things happen at a relaxed pace- enjoy and embrace it. That allows you to really enjoy the whole experience. The decor matched the nautical theme and even on a weekday it was pretty busy. Would definitely recommend

    Sandeep C.

    When you want no-frills, authentic seafood and don't mind getting a little messy, La Cueva del Mar is the place to go. We showed up around 7:30 p.m. on a Tuesday thinking it might be an easy walk-in--and there was already about a 30-minute wait. That tells you everything. It's casual, busy, and clearly loved by locals and visitors alike. At first glance, it feels like a slightly divey, straightforward seafood joint. Nothing flashy, nothing overly polished. But once you're seated, the energy makes sense--orders are flying, dishes come out as they're ready, and everything is made fresh. Vibe & Service * Casual, bustling, and authentically Puerto Rican * Expect a short wait during peak dinner hours * Food comes out as it's prepared--less structured, more "fresh off the line" Food & Drinks * Standard bar offerings--beers, cocktails, easy island drinks * Fried Lobster - indulgent and perfectly crisp * Crab Fried Rice - packed with flavor and generous seafood * Seafood Tacos - fresh, hearty, and exactly what you want * Overall: big portions, bold flavors, and plenty of fried goodness This is the spot to lean in--order the fried seafood, share plates, have a drink, and enjoy the chaos. Verdict La Cueva del Mar may technically be a small franchise, but it feels like a beloved local seafood shack. If you're craving authentic, generous, no-frills Puerto Rican seafood, this is a five-star kind of place. Come hungry and don't expect fancy--just expect delicious.

    Sangria
    Darby H.

    I highly enjoyed La Cueva Del Mar! I wanted a mix of Latin and seafood and this was the perfect choice. It was recommended by one of our tour guides so it is a great option for both locals and tourists. It had a nice atmosphere and very large menu with many different types of options. The Frutti di mare was one of the best pastas I've ever had! It had almost every type of seafood you could want. A great option for someone who wants to try a bit of everything. It was large enough to satisfy you but not too large where you have to take leftovers it back to your hotel. It also came with a salad and delicious bread. My husband ordered the yucafongo pollo, and was very impressed. It was also filling and well made. The drink menu also had a lot of options. I went with the sangria which was super tasty! It's more on the fruity side. Our service was great and we didn't have to wait long for a table or our food, although it seemed busy. Whether you live in the area or are just on vacation, I would recommended trying it out!

    Sangria and Pina Colada
    Wendy M.

    This was another local recommendation that we were excited to try. We arrived and were sat pretty immediately. We spent some time here, mainly waiting for our food - over an hour. During that time though, we were able to watch the waitstaff in beast mode. These guys run a tight ship. It was maybe the most enjoyable part of our visit. Case in point: from the time a party paid and left their table, on average, only a few minutes passed before another party was literally being seated. Delegation of tasks, attentiveness and great communication among the team made this look like clockwork. I timed it on several occasions, lol: an average of only 3 minutes between guests. And just in case you think that's not enough time, it was. Just three minutes to clear the table, wipe down the table, vacuum around the table, wipe the chairs down and reset the table. Impressive. Our waiter was awesome, when we saw him, and to be fair, he was running hard. We did have to fly him down several times though. He took care of us but the long stretch between ordering and eating was palpable. I'm still not sure why the wait was so long, as we saw several folks come and go while we waited. Maybe the kitchen isn't as tightly run as the table staff, who knows. Had the food been as good as we were hoping, we likely wouldn't have minded. But sadly, it wasn't. It was okay, but just okay. We'd already had many stellar meals and ours here didn't make the cut. Bold flavor and seasoning were def missing. I ordered the sesame crusted tuna salad and my partner ordered a local favorite (the primary reason we sought out La Cueva Del Mar): yucca mofongo, with octopus and conch. I'm not sure if this is an acquired taste but it didn't hit home with us.

    April G.

    This was the very first place we ate after arriving in Puerto Rico, and it absolutely set the tone for the trip. The food was incredibly tasty, and the service made the experience even better. Our waiter was attentive and offered a recommendation that changed everything, it's where my obsession with mofongo began! I ordered the crab and shrimp mofongo, which was a special request, and it was nothing short of amazing. The flavors were rich and well-balanced, and the dish was beautifully presented. You could tell it was made with care. Parking is street-side and can be a bit of a hassle, so plan ahead if you're driving. But once you're inside, the food and service make it well worth the effort. Highly recommend!

    octopus arepa
    Katherine Y.

    this spot was really good! the spicy margaritas were really spicy and the seafood tasted very fresh. the garlic sauce from the mofongo we got was really good. the ceviche was delicious as well, very limey which i like. it was made with fish instead of shrimp like im used to. the green hot sauce on the table is very spicy and tangy, be warned!! i typically am not too afraid of trying out hot sauces but these puerto rican restaurant hot sauces certainly showed me i should approach with more caution our waitress was friendly as well. this was a great, slightly more casual dinner spot that im glad we got to try.

    Caesar salad
    Mayra B.

    I stopped by Cueva del Mar for lunch and honestly, I'm still thinking about that sopón de gandules. I remember as a kid I would be obsessed with this soup when I would visit a family friend. I was craving it and decided to get it despite it being hot outside. It was incredibly hearty and flavorful, it was loaded with ham, lentils, and sweet plantains. The kind of soul-warming comfort food that makes you forget it's 90 degrees outside. I'd order it again in a heartbeat! I also had the Caesar salad and wow, that dressing was something else. Light, fresh, and clearly homemade. I've never had a Caesar like it before, so simple but so unique and addicting. The service was just as good as the food. Super attentive and warm without being overbearing. You can tell a lot of locals love this place because the servers know them by name. You know if the locals love it that it'll be a hit and indeed it was.

    Bar and main seating areas.
    Ahad D.

    The best seafood in San Juan the local Puerto Rican dishes are amazing. The atmosphere is fun. They have a full bar and the service is always fast and friendly. If you have not had their house, special Arroz Pescado, you ain't living! Pro tip: use the green sauce.

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    La Cueva del Mar Reviews in Other Languages

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    Casita Miramar - Arroz con Mariscos (seafood paella) and Churrasco (steak); Follow me @RimyEats on Instagram

    Casita Miramar

    4.5(1.7k reviews)
    2.9 km
    $$$

    What a great food experience!!! Casita Miramar easily earned a spot in my top 2 restaurants I've…read morehad the pleasure of dining at in Puerto Rico when it comes to quality food and an overall amazing experience. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful, and the service was excellent from beginning to end,from the hostess to the servers and bussers. Our server, Jeffery, was amazing! He was energetic, professional, attentive, and you can genuinely tell he takes his position seriously. I loved that! We were greeted with complimentary sopa de plátano and bacalaítos, and I was NOT expecting to love them as much as I did. This was by far the best sopa de plátano I've ever had. I never thought I could fall in love with a soup, but here we are! (I ordered a whole extra regular size bowl )The bacalaítos were another surprise because they're normally not something I order or even particularly like--and I've tried quite a few in my life--but these were absolutely delicious. My S/O and I shared the churrasco with arroz mamposteao, along with a side of avocado salad and majado de viandas. Everything was a straight 10/10. Not one disappointment on the table. They also make an amazing Rojo Pico, which was the perfect addition to the experience. 100% recommend Casita Miramar. Don't overthink JUST GO! Beautiful atmosphere, excellent service, and most importantly, genuinely delicious, quality Puerto Rican food. This place absolutely deserves the hype and its spot in my top two!

    The workers were honestly the sweetest. the environment is so welcoming and calm…read more although i wasn't very happy with the food. i went with my family and we found the food very bland and overpriced!! my mom LOVES cooking and she could tell when frozen beans are served to her. the food tasted old and the rice look like it was reheated from days ago.. definitely might be a tourist trap. the aesthetics are beautiful but isn't worth the price. on the good side, they sell natural juices and the parcha juice was the best i ever had!!

    Photos
    Casita Miramar - Indoor Dining Room

    Indoor Dining Room

    Casita Miramar - Amazing chocolate Fudge Cake delivered to restaurant (Cakes by Glorimar in PR). Staff sang and added candle

    Amazing chocolate Fudge Cake delivered to restaurant (Cakes by Glorimar in PR). Staff sang and added candle

    Casita Miramar - Pastelón - Delicious thick Caribbean soft meat and plantain taste and texture

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    Pastelón - Delicious thick Caribbean soft meat and plantain taste and texture

    Bebo's Café - Vanilla flan

    Bebo's Café

    3.9(965 reviews)
    0.5 km
    $$

    Bebo's Cafe is everything people say it is and more. After hearing so many positive things, we…read moredecided to visit during our trip, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The food was incredible. Everything we ordered was flavorful, comforting, and clearly prepared with care. My mother even commented that the arroz y habichuelas reminded her of her grandmother's cooking, which is probably one of the highest compliments a Puerto Rican restaurant can receive. The meal felt authentic, homemade, and deeply satisfying. I ordered the stuffed avocado, and it was absolutely to die for. It was one of the standout dishes of our entire trip. The staff was attentive and worked hard to keep things moving despite how busy the restaurant was. You can immediately tell that this place serves a very high volume of customers, and for good reason. The only thing that may confuse first-time visitors is the seating process. People generally line up in the hallway adjacent to the dining room and wait to be seated. At first, it can feel like organized chaos, but the staff clearly knows how to manage the crowd. Given the popularity of the restaurant and the amount of people coming through the doors, the system works. The quality of the food for the price is outstanding. This is the kind of place you visit when you want authentic Puerto Rican food that tastes like it came straight from someone's family kitchen. If you're visiting San Juan, you owe it to yourself to eat here at least once. Our family loved it, and we would absolutely return on a future trip.

    Came recommended by our driver as a good local food option fir good Puerto Rican food . Food okay…read more- service okay - nothing special. Not many people were there and not many locals. It was not the local flair I was expecting. When most of the menu contains all-American hamburgers and pasta,,,, and mediocre at that... I had plantains with rice and beans. Chased the waiter for the bill.

    Photos
    Bebo's Café
    Bebo's Café - Chicken soup

    Chicken soup

    Bebo's Café - Steak with a side salad

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    Steak with a side salad

    Marmalade - Popcorn Shrimp

    Marmalade

    4.7(1.7k reviews)
    6.1 km
    $$$$

    let me begin by saying i had the absolute pleasure of having NAOMI as my server, and she made my…read morenight very special. boy does she know her stuff! she gave me amazing recommendations and knew everything about every single wine that came in my wine pairing. she even threw in a few fun & interesting facts! as for the restaurant itself, there is no a la carte optikn, just a 5 course meal, but you are able to choose which dish you want for each course... with the exception of the navy bean soup which automatically comes as your 2nd course, but rightfully so! a creamy navy bean texture with pork flavors and truffle sprinkled on top makes a fantastic soup! another standout dish for me was my 3rd plate: rabbit with kale pasta and mushrooms. the flavor that bursts out from a bite of the mushroom complements the rabbit perfectly and the al dente texture of the kale pasta really rounds out the dish. i highly recommend the wine pairing, especially for this dish, as it comes with a gamay that really pairs well with the rabbit flavor. the highlight of the night was the chocolate cake i ordered for dessert. i am biased because i have a big sweet tooth, but it may have been the most amazing dessert ive ever had in my life. overall, a 5 star experience that i will be bringing everyone back to again and again.

    We came here for a birthday and dont regret it at all. Everything was great about this restaurant…read morefrom the atmosphere to the food. Its a fine dining restaurant so the restaurant is really upscale but they also made the restaurant a bit cozy at the same time. The service was amazing as well. Im sorry I forgot his name but he paid really good attention and constantly checked on us especially for my allergies. The food was some of the most delicious food ive ever tasted, especially the risotto (10/10). There was one dish that my girlfriend didnt like but they went immediately to get her something new. Im only giving a 4 star because the dessert i had did have something I was allergic to despite reassurance which cause swollen lips and throwing up outside. Im not sure if the dessert was pre-made but having the allergens directly on the menu may help. Otherwise I completely recommend trying here.

    Photos
    Marmalade - Cozy seats

    Cozy seats

    Marmalade - Three Little Pigs

    Three Little Pigs

    Marmalade - White Hominy Soup with Truffles

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    White Hominy Soup with Truffles

    Vianda - BARQUILLITAS DE ZANAHORIA - CARROT RILLETE, CROUSTADE

    Vianda

    4.8(159 reviews)
    1.4 km
    $$

    Highest culinary quality meal of our visit to Puerto Rico in a lowkey atmosphere. 4.75 stars…read more Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: no but Resy Return worthiness: yes Eve award: best shrimp toast Highlights: - Fried chicken: so perfect crispy outside without being greasy and tender and juicy inside which is any fried chicken dream state. Warning: sauce was insanely spicy even trying a dab though. 5 stars - Shrimp toast: perfection. Crispy exterior on top and bits of shrimp naturally fused together. So SO good. 5 stars - Chocolate cake with mousse and ice cream w peanuts. 4.5 stars - Steak: top quality meat. 4.25 stars - Chorizo croquettes crispy balls of goodness packed with flavors. 4.25 stars - Snitzel: well cooked. 4 stars - Waitress: Natalia was excellent. Was willing to put sauces on the side for my son. Bonus for her warning us about spicy habanero sauce on chicken to get it on the side even for the adults. - Stellar cocktails: coconut water ice cube in one was delightful - Wine wonderful quality and unique versions by the glass - Atmosphere: dining room simple and clean approachable with art on the walls Midlights: - Pork belly: significant portions with several slices and a crispy skin layer, but was hoping for more Thai peanut sauce action. 3.25 stars - Mofongo: flavors were fine but was expecting more prominent meat and mofongo separation. Appreciated the greens to cut the richness. 3 stars Lowlights: - Curious with the sauce with the chicken being known to be insanely hot why they might not mellow it out a bit or serve it naturally on the side

    Vianda was our "splurge" meal of the trip, and it absolutely felt like it. The atmosphere is calm,…read morequiet, and classy, so I'd suggest business casual or smart casual attire. If you're staying in Condado, I'd probably just grab an Uber rather than make the walk. The service was exceptional from start to finish, and reservations are definitely recommended. This was honestly one of the calmest, most relaxing restaurant experiences I've had in a very long time. Because of that, I probably wouldn't bring kids unless they're exceptionally well behaved. It's just not that kind of restaurant, and I'd hate to be the one disrupting the atmosphere everyone else came to enjoy. The clarified espresso martini was as visually intriguing (it's completely clear) as it was delicious and smooth. The fried chicken and pork belly were both outstanding, and I'd happily order either one again. Overall, if you're looking to splurge on one memorable meal in San Juan, Vianda would be high on my list.

    Photos
    Vianda - Beets salad and sautéed pumpkin

    Beets salad and sautéed pumpkin

    Vianda - REPOLLO AL CARBÓN - FRIED ECG SAUCE, WALNUT SOFRITO, CRISPY GARLIC

    REPOLLO AL CARBÓN - FRIED ECG SAUCE, WALNUT SOFRITO, CRISPY GARLIC

    Vianda - Beans

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    Beans

    El Refrán - NY strip with Root vegetable mash

    El Refrán

    4.5(332 reviews)
    1.8 km
    $$

    A very small restaurant with absolutely authentic Puerto Rican food with about 10 tables or so,…read moreabsolutely do not miss this place! So what do you get by coming here? You get the real deal, real Puerto Rican dishes, with the greatest flavors and fair prices. Unless you prefer playing overpriced, find dining restaurants with average Puerto Rican food, which there are plenty of in the area. I'm not able to emphasize how small this restaurant is, it's located right along the main walking strip in Coronado Beach. Maybe 10 tables or so. No reservations walk up wait in line if you have to eat and leave. Not only will you eat the best tasting food during your trip, but probably also pay the least amount of money. We went here twice! Their rice and beans recipe is probably what it's all about! We got grilled shrimp and skirt steak over rice and beans and honestly, I could've had it all week long! This little gem local place is not to be missed! Highly recommended!

    This casual restaurant is a fun dinner stop with open air dining (not so good on a hot day though)…read more We went early at 5pm and avoided crowds. The restaurant filled up before we left. We went with the waitress's recommended dishes - Mofongo Churrasco (steak) and Mamposteao Tacu Tacu with grilled shrimp. Flavors were strong and a bit on the salty side, but delicious. We enjoyed both dishes. The Mamposteao Tacu Tacu has a long fancy name but it was rice and beans topped with skirt steak. The sangria was the happy hour cocktail of the night, very refreshing.

    Photos
    El Refrán
    El Refrán - Skirt steak on top of a bed of rice and beans

    Skirt steak on top of a bed of rice and beans

    El Refrán - Steak Quesadillas

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    Steak Quesadillas

    Tavola - Lasagna

    Tavola

    4.4(212 reviews)
    1.7 km
    $$

    Wow! This came as a referral from a friend and it does not disappoint. The apps are so yummy. The…read morearancini are so good I could have eaten a dozen. The garlic bread was fine, not as good as the arancini. If you are hungry, get the chicken parm, my god it is the largest portion I have ever seen! I ate one of the 3 cutlets they served. Most times when a place gives a ton of food it is ok, well this was fabulous. Super thin, light breading that remained crispy and just the right amount of cheese and sauce. The pizza was good as well. For dessert we had a well portioned flowerless chocolate cake which was paired with some vanilla bean ice cream. Divine! We sat in the restaurant portion near the secret door to the speakeasy so take your pick on what vibe you prefer. The wait staff were super helpful and responsive. We bought the kitchen staff a round for fun. Great experience, I recommend swinging by if you are in the neighborhood.

    I have been eyeing this place for the last few days and we finally made it and wish we could have…read morecome sooner. The food is absolutely delicious, pizza, pasta, salad, all so good. The pizzas are perfect size, personal pizzas so I recommend to order a salad and share with someone so you can try more items on their menu. Also, service is amazing, waitress and bar tender are super friendly. Diet Coke products is a plus! Make reservations to enter the special room, soooo cute, I won't spoil the surprise

    Photos
    Tavola - Speakeasy area

    Speakeasy area

    Tavola - Menu

    Menu

    Tavola - Menu

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    Menu

    El Jibarito - Flan de coco and flan de chocolate

    El Jibarito

    3.9(2.1k reviews)
    6.3 km
    $$

    This was my first time visiting Viejo San Juan, and this was one of those legendary places I had…read moreheard about for years, going all the way back to when I was a little kid. On our most recent vacation, we finally had the chance to experience it for ourselves, and it did not disappoint. The moment you walk in, it feels like you have stepped back in time. The old school dining room is simple and no frills, with basic tables and chairs lined throughout the space, but that is exactly what gives the place so much character and authenticity. It feels like a true piece of old Puerto Rico. And then there is the food. Absolutely delicious, authentic, traditional Puerto Rican cooking. Our family shared the Bistec Encebollado, Carne Guisada, Chuletas Fritas, tostones, white rice and beans, and arroz con gandules. We started with Alcapurrias and Pastelillos de Carne, and everything was packed with flavor. The portions may be a little smaller than what some people are used to, but the prices are very reasonable, which makes it easy to order several dishes and share everything family style. For me, this was more than just a meal. It was finally getting to experience a place I had heard about for most of my life, surrounded by family and enjoying the kind of traditional Puerto Rican food I was hoping for. AMAZING! Definitely a must visit when you are in Viejo San Juan.

    Its been about 8 weeks since we came back from PR and eating at El Jibarito, and I can't stop…read morethinking about. Wish we had eaten here at the beginning of our trip, so we could have gone a couple more times. The service was amazing, a lady came by with a couple different little plates with different food, so we can try, i've never eaten somewhere, where they did that. I didnt see if she was walking around doing this, or she just did it for us. Everything was amazing and it was a hard choice to narrow down and decide what to order. I decided on the carne guisada, which is basically beef stew it came with rice and beans, chefs kiss!!! AMAZING flavor, the meat was so tender. Everything else everyone ordered was so good, hands down the best food we ate on our whole vacation, and we ate great food! The restaurant felt like you were eating at your tias house, beautiful decor, service was amazing it felt like home. As we walked out I thanked the lady that brought us the food, she stopped me and gave me the biggest hug as if she had known me a lifetime.

    Photos
    El Jibarito
    El Jibarito - Fried snapper

    Fried snapper

    El Jibarito

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    La Cueva del Mar - seafood - Updated August 2026

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