El Pescaíto de Carmela was where I gave paella another chance in Granada. After finding the rice at a highly rated restaurant in Seville too firm for my taste, I started reading Korean-language reviews more carefully. This seafood restaurant near Granada Cathedral came up repeatedly for its black squid ink rice, and our meal turned out to suit my palate much better.
My highlights were the single-serving squid ink rice, grilled razor clams and a mild seafood soup. The croquetas were less successful for me because of their very soft filling. This is my personal dining experience from our September 2026 trip.
Where is El Pescaíto de Carmela?
The restaurant is at Calle Marqués de Gerona, 12, 18001 Granada, a short walk from Granada Cathedral. Its central location makes it a convenient meal stop while exploring the historic centre.
Address: Calle Marqués de Gerona, 12, Granada. Telephone: +34 958 255 797. Published opening hours: daily, noon to midnight; check directly before visiting. I have not verified a dedicated restaurant car park.
The photos show the bar, high tables and indoor dining area. For current opening information and reservations, check the official El Pescaíto de Carmela website.
Menu and what we ordered
We ordered one of each of the three croquetas, fish and seafood soup, grilled razor clams, a single serving of black squid ink rice, and tinto de verano. The menu photos below were taken during our visit; prices and dishes may change.
Useful Spanish menu names include arroz negro (black squid ink rice), sopa de pescado y marisco (fish and seafood soup), navajas (razor clams), and croquetas de bacalao, gamba y chipirón en su tinta (cod, prawn and squid ink croquetas).
Complimentary chips and mussels
We were given potato chips and mussels to snack on. The mussels tasted a little too fishy for me, but the chips were surprisingly moreish. The staff kept topping them up, which initially made me wonder whether we would be charged. On our visit, there was no additional charge for these refills; I would treat that as our experience rather than a guaranteed policy.
Three croquetas: crisp outside, very soft inside
The croquetas were presented as a signature dish, so we tried a cod, a prawn and a squid ink version. Their shells were crisp, but the centres were so soft that my first reaction was to wonder whether they were undercooked. I have had a similar impression elsewhere, so this seems more a texture preference than a reason to assume something was wrong.
The filling reminded me slightly of porridge. Of the three, the squid ink croqueta had the most texture for me, and it was the only one I finished. If you prefer a firmer filling, these may not be your favourite part of the meal.
Black squid ink rice: available for one
The arroz negro was the dish I had been looking forward to most. Unlike restaurants where paella has a two-person minimum, we could order a single portion here and try several other dishes alongside it. The restaurant also confirms on its website that its black rice can be served individually.
When taking our order, the staff asked whether we wanted less salt. We said yes, and the seasoning was just right for me. It was much tastier to my palate than the paella I had tried in Seville, where the very firm rice had put me off.
I was glad I had given it another try. If you are sensitive to salty food, asking for less salt is worth considering; that adjustment worked well for my order. For us, one rice dish plus seafood sides made it easier to sample the menu.
Fish and seafood soup: mild, but easy to keep eating
I ordered the seafood soup because Korean reviewers had spoken well of it. Its appearance reminded me of jjamppong broth, and the flavour brought a mild Korean fish stew to mind. That comparison is only a personal reference point: it was far less intense than the spicy soups I usually eat in Korea.
At first it seemed rather mild, almost bland by comparison, but I kept going back for another spoonful. There was a generous amount of seafood, and the gentle broth went well with the rice. I would order it for a warm, easy accompaniment rather than expect a strongly spicy soup.
Grilled razor clams: my seafood favourite
The grilled razor clams were delicious. I ordered razor clams frequently during our Spain trip, and this meal reminded me why I liked them so much. Looking back, I wish I had eaten even more before coming home. If you enjoy shellfish, this was one of my personal highlights.
Tinto de verano and a complimentary after-dinner drink
I also ordered tinto de verano, a Spanish drink made with red wine and a soft drink, served over ice. It was part of our meal alongside the seafood and rice.
At the end, the staff offered us a small complimentary after-dinner drink. It appeared to be a hierbas-style herbal liqueur, possibly orujo de hierbas, although I did not verify the bottle or brand. The staff described it as a digestif and warned that it might not suit someone with a low alcohol tolerance. That was their description, not a claim that alcohol improves digestion.
Would I eat here again?
For my taste, El Pescaíto de Carmela was a satisfying choice for seafood and black rice in central Granada. The individually sized arroz negro and grilled razor clams were the strongest dishes, while the mild soup worked well beside the rice. The croquetas were not my preferred texture, even though their crisp shells were appealing.
Reading reviews from travellers with similar food preferences helped me choose more successfully this time. If you want squid ink rice near Granada Cathedral without committing to two portions, this restaurant is worth considering. Check the current menu and opening hours before making plans.
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