Floella, you must have driven past one of the best restaurants in Murcia is on the beach at Bolnuevo - called "La Siesta". The steaks rate among the best anywhere and their seafood is fabulous, as is the setting. But I agree the Oasis de la Palmeras is excellent for tapas and a drink or two.
Back to the OP - there's just one restaurant at El Saladillo, which is OK it's in the Spanish canteen style. The village is quite small, just a church I think.
There are several villages close by with bars and restaurants and as Windtaker says Camposol is a mile or so away, but personally I would head in the other direction, through Mazarron town and continue on down to Puerto de Mazarron where there are 100 plus restaurants of all types and styles along and close to the Marina. They compete with each other so they are well priced a menu del dia is €10 or €11.
The place is always buzzing even out of season, the beach is great for kids and it's lovely to stroll along the promenade at night. If you don't know where you're going it's easy to miss it as you have to park and walk the last 100 yards or so from the road. But just park as soon as the road turns to the right and then head towards the sea and follow the crowd. The most popular restaurant there is "Viggos" which is big, ask for "Viggos Restuarante" if you need directions.
In terms of places to go there are quite a few choices - the "Guns" (used in the Guns of Navaroone) not easy to find, but marvellous scenery on route. Easier and probably of wider appeal is Sirerra Espuna - head along the motoeway to Totana, then follow the signs to Aledo. Aledo itself is an extraordinary village, but alongide is a converted monastery which is a hotel and restuarant which has a great terrace to eat and enjoy the tranquility.