Local Provisions, Services, Bars and Restaurants
Local Services
Mecinilla is served by a number of vans that visit the villages regularly to sell fruit, vegetables and bread. Currently, the bread van comes Monday to Saturday, arriving outside of the bar, El Aljibe, at around 1.00 pm. The fruit and vegetable van comes on Tuesdays at around 7.00 pm and there is a fish van that calls, usually on Wednesday mornings. These services use their horns to mark their arrival and you will see the locals wandering up from the village with their shopping bags, but you should go out onto the street at around the right time to ensure that you do not miss them - you can sit outside the bar and enjoy a glass of beer or a coffee while you wait!
In addition to the van service, it is possible to purchase a range of items from Marisa in the Bar - she often has a supply of cheese, milk and eggs from her own kitchen and can also sell you cigarettes, confectionary, even stamps. The Post Office van calls so postcards can be left in the bar for collection too. Alternatively there is a box next to the Carneceria (butchers) just off the main square in Pitres.
The nearest supermarket (el supermercado - Coviron), which has the usual provisions including a meat/fish and cheese counter, is in Pitres, about 6km from Mecinilla. The supermarket is situated just off the square a few metres beyond El Bar Sierra Nevada. Further along from the supermarket there is a bread shop (la panaderia), open in the mornings up until the siesta period. The butchers (la carneceria) is off the main square to the left, passed the church, next door to the Town Hall Up from the church, just off the main square to the left, there is also a pharmacy (la farmacia). You will also note that there is a doctors' surgery in the Mecina, just next to the church.
Friday is market day in Pitres - there are stalls selling fruit and vegetables but it is also possible to purchase a range of other items including sweets and nuts and clothing/general household type items (A wider range of clothes etc. along with wholefood and fresh vegetables can be found at the market in Orgiva which is on Thursdays)
There is a swimming pool that is open to the public at the well-run campsite on the road to Pitres
Bars and Restaurants
In this area of Andalucia, tapas are served free with drinks in most bars. However, it is also often possible to purchase small plates (tapas) and larger plates (racciones) of food as and when you want. Marisa conjures up a range of good eats at El Aljibe and also prepares traditional meals to order in the restaurant. Up on the main road in Mecina you will find a small bar, Mora Luna, run by Carlos. A good range of wines, whiskeys and beers are served with tapas and there is a pizza and a la carte menu on offer. Classical concerts also take place here, organised by Carlos in conjunction with the Music School based in Ferreirola. Also in Mecina is a French restaurant, L'Atelier, which specialises in vegetarian and vegan food - this is signposted from Carlos's bar. You can also eat and drink at the local hotel, Hotel Albergue de Mecina. Another vegetarian option can be found in Pitres - El Jardin also has a bar and is open every day except Monday in the tourist season. Opening hours for many of the restaurants are obviously more restricted in the winter months.
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