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Licor 43 opens new restaurant and leisure centre on the seafront in Cartagena
The Cuarentaytres centre is the new flagship of Cartagena gastronomy and fine dining
Zamora Company, the owner of the Licor 43 brand which is Spain’s favourite liqueur and is produced just outside Cartagena, has added a new restaurant and leisure establishment on the seafront to the list of its contributions to the city’s gastronomic excellence.
Apart from the guided tours held by the hugely popular Experiencia 43 visitors centre at the Cartagena production centre, those visiting the city can now enjoy “Cuarentaytrés” alongside the cruise ship terminal, which not only boasts a restaurant and bar but also offers a special events area for family, business and cultural events.
All of the 2,000-square-metre floor space is themed around Licor 43 and other products manufactured and marketed in Spain by Zamora Company, while the kitchens and menus are overseen by top chef Pablo González-Conejero, who has been awarded two Michelin stars. The menu follows Mediterranean culinary traditions and is expected to attract not only residents of the Region of Murcia who are seeking a top dining experience but also the thousands of cruise ship tourists who alight in Cartagena every month.
The new showcase of Zamora Company is located in the Plaza Mayor and has been sanctioned by the Port Authority and the Town Hall of Cartagena, providing a stimulus to the tourism sector and the general awareness of the city as a home of culture and haute cuisine. The menus are perfectly complemented by the wine and spirits provided by Zamora Company, according to Íñigo Ochoa, the manager of the new establishment.
Assisting Pablo González-Conejero in managing the kitchens are two local chefs with a wealth of experience in international restaurants, Adrián Costa and Pedro Ortega, and the opening of the doors to the public on Tuesday December 5 marks the end of months of anticipation among locals who have watched the refurbishment of the premises with great interest.
In total, Cuarentaytrés can cater for as many as 450 diners at any one time in different areas on four floors, with the capacity of the main restaurant set at 180. In the heart of the restaurant is a showcooking area where the chefs can be seen at work by members of the public.
Just opposite is the Mirador del Puerto, a special area created with the three thousand years of Cartagena’s history in mind, where up to 40 guests can enjoy the views out over the harbour, and another stand-out feature is the ember fire where meat, fish and vegetables can be prepared to order.
Equally important to the success of the venture is the “Shop 43”, where customers can try products before deciding on their purchases, and there is also a reserved tasting area for up to 10 people.
Even the bathrooms have been impeccably designed, with the décor inspired by the Phoenician and Roman history in which Cartagena is steeped, while the first-floor events area offers views of both the bay and the defensive walls of Carlos III.
The diary for both 2024 and 2025 is now open for bookings and it is reported that a “very satisfactory” number of dates have already been confirmed, may for weddings, communions and corporate events. Bookings can be made by telephone on 608 552486 while online registration for the restaurant and the Experiencia 43 centre can be found here.
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Licor 43 has been produced in Cartagena since the mid-20th century
Following the disruption of the Covid pandemic the “Experiencia 43” tastings and tours of the Licor 43 factory just outside Cartagena are now up and running again, with visitors welcomed back to what was one of the most popular destinations before the coronavirus interruption.
There are now two re-modelled tour packages, the shorter of which is the 90-minute "Visita Premium". This begins with a tasting of Licor43 Original, followed by the guided tour through the museum and the manufacturing plant of Licor43, a cocktail presentation and tasting of “Ginger43”.
This visit is available from Monday to Saturday at a price of 14 euros per head (adults only). Prior booking is essential. Children may also visit under adult supervision, and must always be accompanied by adults. Due to sanitary considerations masks must be worn throughout the visit, and unfortunately the maximum group size has to be set at 12.
But now an even more complete tour is also available under the title of “Masterclass and Fruit Picking”. This includes an additional focus on the texture, aromas and sensations that the citrus fruits from the Mediterranean garden alongside the Experiencia 43 building provide, all of them contributing to the secret recipe of Licor 43. In the garden visitors choose and pick their own fruits for the cocktail they will prepare at the end of the visit!
During the Master Class, brand ambassadors transport you to a world of complex nuances as you get to know Licor 43 through its three main flavour varieties: Original, Horchata (tiger nuts) and Coffee.
A full tour of the factory and museum is also included.
The Masterclass and Fruit-Picking tour is held on weekdays at 12.00 noon and is priced at 30 euros per head.
Bookings at Experiencia 43 should be made using the contact box below, online here, by telephone on 968 030188 or by email at experiencia43@zamoracompany.com.
Tours can be booked between 9.00 and 16.00 from Monday to Sunday in Spanish, English and German. Visits in French and Italian can be organised with prior notice.
